Pioneer Valley Family Fun Events This Weekend

One of the things my family is always on the hunt for is something to do together on the weekend. I’m pleased to be offering this new weekly series offering you what I think is the best of the best Pioneer Valley Family Fun happening each weekend.

This weekend, there are tons of great things happening in the Pioneer Valley + two road trip worth events. From pancake breakfasts to plays to a chance to interact with turtles, there is a lot going on for the whole family here!

Pioneer Valley Family Fun Events This Weekend

Into The Woods, Academy Of Music, Northampton, MA
5/13/16 through 5/15/16 l time varies

Starlight’s Youth Theatre invites you to take a journey with them Into The Woods. The success of Disney’s Into The Woods movie starring Meryl Streep has energized this local musical theater group to present the original Tony-Award-winning Broadway musical version by Stephen Sondheim and you can see it will come alive on the Academy of Music stage. This musical brings favorite fairy tale characters such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk to life; they set off to make their wishes come true but soon learn to be careful what they wish for as witches, giants and wolves loom. Into the Woods at the Academy of Music on May 13 at 7 p.m.; May 14 at 2p.m. and 7 p.m.; and May 15 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for children/seniors and $14 for adults and are available at the Academy of Music Box Office or online.

Cinderella, East Longmeadow, MA
5/13/16 through 5/15/16 l time varies

“Cinderella” presented by St. Michael’s Youth Players Friday, Saturday and Sunday this upcoming weekend! Seats are still available! Show times Friday & Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 2:00 PM. More Info.

World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, Springfield, MA
5/14/16 l 8:00 – 11:00 am

On Main Street in Springfield – from State Street to Bridge Street. The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is a great way to meet neighbors and friends as the community sits down at Springfield’s breakfast table in celebration of the city’s May 14, 1636 founding. The menu includes hot, hearty pancakes, coffee, juice and milk. More info.

Astronomy Day at The Springfield Museums, Springfield, MA
5/14/16 l 12:00 – 4:00 PM

The Museum will hold its annual Astronomy Day event on Saturday, May 14 from 12 – 4 p.m., with safe sunspot viewing outside with Springfield Stars Club, tours of the rooftop observatory, and presentations on meteorites inside the Museum by planetarium educator Jack Megas. Museum educators will also lead hands-on activities for all ages about how craters are formed on the moon, plus a space sensory bin for little hands, and more. More Info.

Turtles With Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, Easthampton, MA

5/14/16 l 10:00 – 12:00 PM

Turtles are amazing reptiles. Massachusetts is home to a dozen species of freshwater or terrestial turtles. Sadly, most species are state-listed as endangered or threatened. Come learn amazing turtle facts, make a turtle craft, meet a live turtle, and visit the pond searching for wild turtles. More Info.

Elephant & Piggie Opening Reception + Meet Mo Willems, Northampton MA
5/15/16 l 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Is it possible that “The Thank You Book” is the 25th and final book for Elephant and Piggie?! It is. R. Michelson Galleries would like to thank Mo Willems for this amazing young reader series. We are celebrating with a retrospective of sketches and final drawings from each book. We invite you to come and give Mo a big thank you yourselves. The Eric Carle Museum will be selling the Elephant and Piggie books and Mo will happily sign those that are purchased at the event. More Info.

Want to see your event listed-

Road trip worthy family fun events happening this weekend.

Touch A Truck, Plantsfille, CT
5/14/16

The American Legion Auxiliary, the Southington Parks Department, and the Southington Recreation Department are proud to present the 14th annual Touch-A-Truck event! In the event of rain, this event will take place on Sunday, May 15th. Children will enjoy climbing into construction, rescue, military and other vehicles, face painting, music and more. Refreshments will be available for purchase. The Southington Conservation Commission will also be on site handing out free seedlings (while supplies last). **Please use the Southington Drive-In’s main entrance on Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike if attending this event. 2016 Admission Charges: Adults – $1.00 Children – $3.00 More info.

Southbridge Bicentennial Grand Parade & Festival, Southbridge, MA
5/14/16 l 10:00 am

Be amazed and entertained as our Grand Parade winds its way through the heart of our town. This extravaganza will begin with the Mummers from Philadelphia reprising their 1966 appearance in our Sesquicentennial Parade and conclude with the fan favorite Shriners who are almost a parade in themselves. In between these two anchors you will be treated to a Parade through Southbridge History. It is our desire to include all and to leave spectators in awe and with a better understanding and appreciation of Southbridge’s history. Throw in a few dignitaries and special surprises and this will be the parade that you will not forget.

FESTIVAL TO FOLLOW PARADE
The fun does not end with a parade on this day. McMahon Field (Corner of Cole Ave. and Dresser St.) will be the site for a festival that celebrates Southbridge’s bicentennial. (Due to the bicentennial celebrations this year, the Downtown Partnership will not be hosting a Southbridge Fest.) The festival will run until 6:00PM, but don’t forget the parade is also going to be running with its start time of 10:00 AM. The parade is expected to be about three hours long. More info.