The Easthampton Farmers Market has been running successfully since May 3. It operates

every Friday from 2:00 to 6:00, May to October, in the Municipal Building parking lot at 50 Payson Avenue. This past year, a winter farm market was added to the program as well, located in the Eastworks building. Vendors offer produce, plants, meat, baked goods, syrup and more, encouraging people to buy local.  

A producer who regularly sells goods at the market is Chamber member Riverside Industries. Also included are Chicoine Family Farm, Bemben Farm, Mary's Greenhouse, Simple Abundance Herbals, Solid Ground Farm, Gray Dog's Farm, Mountain View Farm, Little Raven Kitchen and Gardens, and a food truck, Chanterelle To Go. Music is provided by Dharma Bird and other local performers.

News and contact information about the Farmer's Market can be found at their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/EasthamptonFarmersMarket 

and on their new blog. 

Thanks go to the Easthampton Spirit Committee, which will hold this year's family event and fireworks spectacular on June 29 at Daley Field.

The event, which is sponsored entirely by individual and business donations, runs from 5:00 to 10:30 and includes bands, food vendors, a climbing wall, and a wide range of activities for children as well. The bands will include Maxxtone, Trailer Trash and the Vallan Brothers Band.

Major sponsors so far this year include the Chamber, Easthampton Savings Bank, Florence Savings Bank, Finck & Perras Insurance, and Five Star Building Corp. The event also cannot happen without the help of its many volunteers, who handle setup, parking, money collection, crowd control and cleanup.

This annual event costs approximately $30,000, and is supported entirely by donations and sponsorships. Information about how to sponsor the event, donate or volunteer can be found at www.easthamptonspirit.com (donations can be made online), by email at sponsor@easthamptonspirit.com or on their Facebook page.