Page 42 - BusinessWest June 12, 2023

Fun in the Sun
There’s Plenty to Do in Western Mass. This Summer
Beyond Hooplandia, the region offers a wide variety of cultural and recreational happenings for the whole family, from baseball to beer tastings; fireworks to festivals; jazz to jubilees. Here are 20 such upcoming events, and where to find out more about them. Enjoy!
Valley Blue Sox
MacKenzie Stadium, 500 Beech St., Holyoke
valleybluesox.pointstreaksites.com/view/ valleybluesox
Admission: $5-$7; flex packs, $59-$99
Now through July 29: Western Mass. residents don’t have to trek to Boston to catch quality base- ball. The Valley Blue Sox, two-time champions of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, play the home half of their 44-game schedule close to home at MacKenzie Stadium in Holyoke. Frequent promotional events like postgame fireworks and giveaways help make every game a fun, affordable event for the whole family.
Westfield Starfires
Bullens Field, 181 Notre Dame St., Westfield
www.westfieldstarfires.com
Admission: $10; flex packs, $99
Now through Aug. 6: Still can’t get enough base- ball? Celebrating their fifth season of action, the Starfires, a member of the Futures Collegiate Base- ball League, play a slightly longer schedule (56 games) than the Blue Sox. The team plays at Bullens Field in a city with a rich baseball history, and pep- pers its games with plenty of local flavor and fan experiences.
IRONMAN 70.3 Western
Massachusetts Triathlon
Downtown Springfield
www.ironman.com/im703-western-massachusetts
Admission (for spectators): Free
June 11: Springfield will host the inaugural IRON- MAN 70.3 Western Mass. triathlon, which consists of a 70.3-mile journey as athletes will take on a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1-mile
run. Athletes will start with a downriver swim in
the Connecticut River. Once out of the water, ath- letes will transition to the bike at Riverfront Park in downtown Springfield for the 56-mile ride around the region’s biking areas. Once back in Riverfront Park, the race will conclude with a run using the riv- erwalks and downtown streets of Springfield.
Juneteenth Jubilee
Downtown Springfield
facebook.com/juneteenthspfldma2023
Admission: Free
June 16-18: Juneteenth is a federal holiday cel- ebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the U.S. two years after the Emanci- pation Proclamation was issued. Juneteenth in Springfield will celebrate this holiday with three days of activities, including a flag raising at the Black Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Mason Square and an adult block party at Level 5 restaurant on June 16; a family fun day featuring music, kids’ activities, youth and business award presentationsl, complimentary food from Black-owned restaurants, and more on June 17; and a Father’s Day brunch at the Dunbar Center on June 18.
Worthy Craft Beer Showcase
201 Worthington St., Springfield
www.theworthybrewfest.com
Admission: $35-$50
June 17: Smith’s Billiards and Theodores’ Booze, Blues & BBQ, both in the city’s entertainment dis- trict, will host more than two dozen breweries at an event that also features live music from the General Gist and others, and plenty of food. The event will also feature a home-brew contest; Amherst Brew- ing will make the winner’s beer and serve it at next year’s Brew Fest. Designated drivers pay reduced admission of $10.
Green River Festival
One College Dr., Greenfield
www.greenriverfestival.com
Admission: Weekend, $169.99; Friday, $59.99; Satur- day, $74.99; Sunday, $74.99
June 23-25: For one weekend every summer, Franklin County Fairgrounds hosts a high-energy celebration of music; local food, beer, and wine; handmade crafts; and games and activities for families and children — all topped off with hot-air- balloon launches and a Saturday-evening ‘balloon glow.’ The music is continuous on three stages, with more than 35 bands slated to perform.
Municipal Fireworks
Admission: Free
June and July: Western Mass. communities will host numerous fireworks events around the Fourth of July this year. Sites include Szot Park, Chicopee, June 24; Quarry Hill School, Monson, June 24; Look Memorial Park, Northampton, June 24; Westfield Middle School, June 25; Holyoke Community Col- lege, June 30; UMass Amherst McGuirk Stadium, July 1; Beacon Field, Greenfield, July 1; Smith Middle School, South Hadley, July 1; Six Flags New England, Agawam, July 1-3; and Riverfront Park, Springfield, July 4.
Berkshires Arts Festival
380 State Road, Great Barrington
www.americanartmarketing.com
Admission: $7-$15; ages 9 and under free
July 1-3: Ski Butternut plays host to the Berkshires Arts Festival, a regional tradition for more than two decades. Thousands of art lovers and collectors are expected to stop by to check out and purchase the creations of 155 jury-selected artists and designers from across the country, in both outdoor and air- conditioned indoor exhibition spaces. The family- friendly event also features demonstrations, food, and live music.
Monson Summerfest
Main Street, Monson
www.monsonsummerfestinc.com
Admission: Free
July 4: In 1979, a group of parishioners from the town’s Methodist church wanted to start an Inde- pendence Day celebration focused on family and community, The first Summerfest featured food, games, and fun activities. With the addition of a parade, along with booths, bands, rides, and activi- ties, the event has evolved into an attraction draw- ing more than 10,000 people every year. This year’s parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Main Street, followed by activities, music, and a beer garden later in the day.
Southwick Pro Motocross
National
The Wick 338, 46 Powder Mill Road, Southwick
www.thewick338.com
Admission: $30-$395
July 8: The Southwick National is back on the schedule at the Wick 338. This historic racetrack makes its return to the circuit on July 8 and will serve as the sixth round of the 2023 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing. Gates open at 7 a.m., and ticket prices span a wide range of viewing opportunities, including preferred and VIP options.
42 JUNE 12, 2023
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