Pioneer Valley Family Fun Events This Weekend

Hello weekend! How is it June already? As always, here is a super fun list of great things to do this weekend. I started this weekly blog post, Pioneer Valley Family Fun Events This Weekend, because I was tired of trying to figure out what was happening in the area. This is the what I think is the best of the best. These events are hand picked by me, for you. No need to sift through pages and pages of options. I’ve got the best the area has to offer right here.

Pioneer Valley Family Fun Events This Weekend

There is a little bit of everything happening this weekend! Pancakes, airplanes, and story walks…. OH MY!

Carnival to benefit Melha Shriners, Springfield, MA
6/2/16 – 6/5/16 l Daylight hours until 6:00 PM l Eastfield Mall, 1655 Boston Post Rd.

The Carnival returns to Eastfield Mall, but this year it benefits the Melha Shriners! Tilt-a-Whirl and Funnel Cake for a good cause! Traditional carnival with food and rides. More info.

The Great Holyoke Brick Race, Holyoke, MA
6/4/16 l 11:00 AM – 3:00 pm l Paper City Studios, 80 Race St.

The purpose of the event is to bring together the diverse community of Holyoke and surrounding towns for a day of fun, excitement and creativity for all to enjoy. You may enter as an individual or as part of a group with any number of participants to make one race car. The race car must contain at least one brick. Wheels are optional. Entrants do not have to be residents of Holyoke to participate in the competition, and we will accept entries from contestants worldwide! More Info.

Pancake Breakfast, Amherst, MA
6/4/5 l 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM l Mill River Recreation Park

Join the Friends of Puffer’s Pond for multigrain pancakes made from ingredients donated by local farms. There will also be gluten-free pancakes and local sausages! And, as usual, we’ll have real maple syrup, live music, fabulous raffle prizes, and tons of community spirit! For Kids of all ages: Hitchcock Center for the Environment Educator Patrick O’Roarke will guide an exploration of stream invertebrates in the Mill River. Bring water shoes or sandals! Stream nets and expert education provided! More info.

Story Walk Kick Off, Easthampton, MA
6/4/16 l 2:00 PM l Nonotuck Park

The Story Walk will open with a family celebration kick-off on Saturday, June 4, starting at 2 pm. (Rain date is Sunday) Events include a guided walk and reading by Ms. Robb who is also a local storyteller and librarian, face painting, and signed book raffles. Light refreshments will be available. The event is free and open to the public. There is no charge for vehicles after 1:00 PM if you mention the Story Walk as you enter the park. The Story Walk installation will remain in place through September 30.

2016 WGBY Asparagus Festival, Hadley, MA
6/4/16 l 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM l Hadley Town Common

WGBY Asparagus Festival is a free family-friendly event on the Hadley Town Common featuring live music, local foods and craft beer, kids’ games, farmers/artisans’ market, and more. More Info.

Farm Animal Day At Easthampton Farmer’s Market, Easthampton, MA
6/4/16 l 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM l 50 Payson St

Come visit the us with all of our barnyard friends at the Easthampton Farmers Market! Spend some time feeding and holding the animals, get your face painted and so much more! More info.

Books & Games Galore at the Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA
6/4/16 l 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM l 125 West Bay Rd.

Inspired by The Carle’s exhibition, The Art of Eric Carle: Hide & Seek, join us for a day celebrating games, from scavenger hunts and board games to art projects and outdoor fun! More info.

LGA Spring Carnival, Northampton, MA

6/5/16 l 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM l Lander-Grinspoon Academy, 257 Prospect St.

Come join us at LGA for a fantastic Spring carnival. FREE ADMISSION! Fabulous entertainment from musicians Felicia Sloin & Tom Knight, the LGA Chorus, and local band Light of Day!
Amazing food & drink from local vendors: Chanterelle to Go, Herrell’s, Holyoke Hummus Company & Fort Hill Brewing Company! Games for kids of all ages, bounce house/obstacle course, dunk tank, pie eating contest, face painting, bake sale, and more. More info.

Weekend Events: Worth The Road Trip

These are hand picked events from me for you. The criteria for selection is simple: these events are ones that I’d pop my family in the car and travel to!

Touch A Truck, Worcester, MA
6/5/16 l 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM l Worcester JCC, 633 Salisbury St.

Bring the kids to our 2nd Annual Touch-A-Truck event where they can see, touch, climb on and explore their favorite big trucks and vehicles, including police, fire safety, military, construction and more. Invite your neighbors, friends and family! The event is open to the public and will also feature a bouncy house, music, face painting, Wooberry and Say Cheese food trucks and Jake the Lion from the Worcester Bravehearts. $5.00 per family fee. More info.

Strolling of the Heifers Parade, Brattleboro, VT
6/4/16 l 10:00 AM l Downtown Brattleboro

Spain’s Running of the Bulls, the Stroll is just the opposite: a parade of friendly, ambling heifer calves, groomed to the nines, colorfully bedecked with hats and flowers, and led by future farmers from area schools and 4H club members. The Parade travels up Main Street and Putney Road to the Brattleboro Common, and starts at 10 a.m. sharp — but be sure to get there early, bring folding chairs, enjoy the pre-parade entertainment and check out local shops and eateries that open early.The heifer contingent — up to 100 in number — leads the parade. The heifers are followed by a variety of other farm animals — horses, mules, oxen, and sometimes goats, pigs, chickens, llamas and alpacas, followed by tractors, clowns, floats and bands. More info.

Auto Show & Aircraft Exhibit at New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT
6/5/16 l 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM l 36 Perimeter Rd.

The Museum will host the 30th Anniversary 4C’s Auto Show & Aircraft Exhibit. On display will be antique, classic, special interest, sports cars and street rods. Featured is Chevrolet through the years with a Favorite Chevrolet awards. General Museum admission applies. All admissions include both the car show and Museum. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. More Info.