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In This Issue
Central Massachusetts
Franklin County
Greater Boston
Cape Cod
Greater Springfield
Hampshire County
Johnny Appleseed Country
Martha's Vineyard
Mohawk Trail Region
MetroWest
Nantucket Island
Plymouth County
Featured Region: Southeastern Massachusetts
The Berkshires
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 June 2013
 
GREETINGS! Massachusetts is rich in arts & culture, so it's no surprise that exciting events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 16 regions all year long. Find out more below! 
  
CULTURAL ROAD TRIP: Central Square, Cambridge
QUICK TAKE: One of Cambridge's most vibrant neighborhoods and an eclectic cultural destination. SEE & DO: Pick up theater tickets at the  Central Square Theater, home to The Nora Theatre Company and the Underground Railway Theater. Reggae's on tap at the Middle East Nightclub. Architecture buff? Tour Frank Gehry's exuberant Stata Center. Then explore MIT's public art: works by Picasso, Calder, and Henry Moore. The MIT Museum is a showcase for campus-created inventions and ideas. SIT & SIP: hang out with laptop-toting students and Cantabrigians at the 1369 Coffee House. EAT & SLEEP:  Dine on Mediterranean-inspired fare at Rendezvous; sleep over in a former firehouse at the  Kendall Hotel.

Featured Region: Central Massachusetts
Looking for something exciting to do in June? Why don't you stART on the Street and catch an Independent Film at the Central Mass Film Festival! This year, the Canal district will be hosting the family friendly and free stART on the Street festival on June 2nd and will once again use the urban space to its advantage. Enjoy local music groups, the presence of over 200 artists and crafters, and a food court complete with vegan options amongst other exciting things. Earlier that day, there will be Independent Movie Screenings at The Crompton building on Green Street courtesy of the Central Mass Film Festival, taking place on the same day! The day before, there will also be a steampunk fashion show at the Lucky Dog!

For more information on Central Massachusetts, click here.  
Franklin County

On June 8th, the Annual Shelburne Riverfest will be held rain or shine in Shelburne Falls! Stand-up paddling, raft rides, "Frog & Flower Parade," food, music and fun. Ride the historic trolley, stroll the Bridge of Flowers and discover the wonders of water! Then on June 22 & 23, the Mutton & Mead Festival will be held in Turners Falls! Renaissance entertainment, merchants and minstrels and food with a medieval flair. Armor, cloaks and doublets welcome, but not required. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.  

For more information on Franklin County, click here.
Greater Boston

June 2013 in Boston means free festivals! The 34th Annual Dragon Boat Festival is set for June 8-9. Races will be held both days, and then Sunday's festival along Charles River features Asian food, arts and crafts & Asian cultural performances! Also check out the annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl June 4-6 in City Hall Plaza, the 43rd Annual Gay Pride Parade & Festival June 8th, and The Bunker Hill Day Parade in Charlestown June 16th.

For more information on Greater Boston, click here

Cape Cod

Celebrate the first day of Summer at the 5th Annual Cape Cod Quahog Day! Watch Doug the Quahog make his annual prediction for how many weeks of beach weather lie ahead, at 1 p.m. Friday, June 21st at the oceanfront Lighthouse Inn in Dennis. A Cape Cod tradition! Also in June, the inaugural Cape Cod Food and Wine Festival will be held in Falmouth Saturday, June 8th and the 13th Annual Provincetown International Film Festival is set for June 19-23!  

   

For more information on Cape Cod, click here. 

Greater Springfield

Eastern States Exposition isn't just the home of New England's largest Fair every fall. There are terrific events year-round, including Heirloom's West Springfield Rubber Stamp & Paper Arts Festival (June 1-2), the Connecticut Morgan Horse Show (June 6-9), Opening Day at Storrowton Village Museum (June 15th), the Vermont Spring Classic Morgan Horse Show (June 19-22) and the Arabian Horse Show of New England (June 27-29).  Visit www.thebige.com for times and updates, or call (413) 737-2443!   

 

For more information on Greater Springfield, click here.
Hampshire County
Celebrate The Taste of Amherst June 13-16 on the Amherst Town Common! This four-day food, family, and fun event presented by Atkins Farms Country Market and organized by the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce has been a Hampshire County institution for a generation.  Enjoy food from over 20 area restaurants, cooking demos, craft beer tent, and live music curated by local favorite 93.9 The River. Free Admission. Thursday & Friday 5-9 p.m, Saturday 12-10 p.m., and Sunday 12-4 p.m.

Click for more information on Hampshire County
Johnny Appleseed Country

Celebrating its 78th year, the Regional Exhibition of Art and Craft is as energetic and intriguing as ever! After poring over scores of entries, curators have selected over 100 artists for this "inspirational and significant" exhibition that fills the Fitchburg Art Museum's galleries from June 23-September 1, and spotlights the depth of talent within a 25-mile radius of the city. In addition to awards presented by judges, visitors are invited to cast a ballot for the "popular prize." For details, visit www.fitchburgartmuseum.org.

   

For more information on Johnny Appleseed Country, click here.

Martha's Vineyard
Save the date for the 5th Annual Martha's Vineyard Restaurant Week! Kicking off on Father's Day, Martha's Vineyard Restaurant Week starts Sunday, June 16th and continues through Thursday, June 20th. Sample a wide variety of Island restaurants at fixed prices, from $10- $20 for lunch and from $25-$45 for a 3- or 4-course special menu dinner.

For more information on Martha's Vineyard, click here.
Mohawk Trail Region
The next Third Thursdays Turners Falls will be held June 20th from 5:30-8:30 p.m. This monthly arts and culture night out in Turners Falls features receptions, music, exhibits and performances in downtown venues! June's theme is "Knights, Camera, Action!" - featuring both a preview of the Mutton & Mead Renaissance festival, as well as multiple exhibits and receptions of photographs from the Hallmark Institute of Photography, and much more.  Third Thursdays run from May-October.  

 

For more information on the Mohawk Trail Region, click here
MetroWest
What do you get when you add 40 breweries, 30 eateries, and 12 entertainment venues? It all adds up to a terrific time at the 6th Annual Taste of Marlborough and Brewfest on Monday, June 10th! Held outdoors on the city's Main Street from 5:30 to 9 p.m., this annual event, produced by Olde Marlborough, draws thousands looking for great microbeers from all over New England, as well as diverse foods, cheese, and baked goods.

For more information on MetroWest, click here.
Nantucket Island
Wash Ashore and Be Swept Away! In Year Two of the Nantucket Book Festival, happening June 21-23, we seek to broaden our horizons. We are thrilled to share these people of amazing talent with you. Celebrating Nantucket Island, a haven for the literary arts. The 18th Annual Nantucket Film Festival is right around the corner on June 26-30! This year's festival will bring more films, more incredible stories, one-of-a-kind Signature Programs, and the rich atmosphere you love.

For more information on Nantucket Island, click here.
North of Boston
Credit: Kristen Olson/ Gloucester Daily Times

Come celebrate the fishermen of Gloucester and honor the patron saint of fishermen with weekend-long festivities at St. Peter's Fiesta! An annual festival honoring Saint Peter, the fiesta includes good food, music, and a parade. Watch the 12-mile Siene Boat Races or try your hand at running across the Greasy Pole from June 26-30 in Gloucester. The weekend activities and celebration end with the Blessing of the Fishing Fleet on Sunday.

For more information on North of Boston, click here.

Plymouth County

The 58th Annual Arts Festival will be held at the South Shore Arts Center in Cohasset Friday, June 14th through Sunday, June 16th! The festival showcases craft and fine artists from New England and beyond. In addition to almost 100 juried exhibitor booths, the Arts Festival features a juried art exhibition and members' show, live music performances, artist demonstrations, children's art activities and a young artist exhibition. Hours: Friday noon to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.  

 

For more information on Plymouth County, click here.
Southeastern Massachusetts

Check out the 20th Annual Taunton Riverfront Festival scheduled for Saturday, June 1st at Weir Riverfront Park in Taunton! This day-long, family-oriented community celebration features live entertainment, food court, games, crafts, educational exhibits, and children's activities. Also, the 16th Annual New Bedford Day of Portugal is scheduled for June 6-9. The event is free and takes place throughout the weekend, in the North End, with food, live music, Portuguese artisan exhibits and demonstrations of their work.   

 

For more information on Southeastern MA, click here.
The Berkshires
Ashley Murphy Dance Theatre Of Harlem; photo credit Rachel Neville

Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), the groundbreaking and newly revitalized American ballet company, will open the 2013 Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival June 19-23! Led by Artistic Director Virginia Johnson, the company will present a range of classic and new ballet work including George Balanchine's Agon, The Lark Ascending by Alvin Ailey, and Far But Close by Canadian contemporary choreographer John Alleyne.  The DTH performances also kick off the "Lift Ev'ry Voice" festival, celebrating African American culture and history in the Berkshires.
 

For more information on the Berkshires, click here.
Greater Merrimack Valley

Make the most of our beautiful weather this spring with a trip to one of the Greater Merrimack Valley's outdoor museums and exhibits. Spend an afternoon at the sculpture park and garden at Lincoln's de Cordova Museum, one of New England's finest collections of modern art. Enjoy the expansive grounds, outdoor art exhibits and hiking trails at the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, or take a tour and relax at the Gropius House, home of famous architect, Walter Gropius, founder of the German design school known as the Bauhaus, also in Lincoln.

For more information on Greater Merrimack Valley, click here.

Regional Tourism Councils  

The Berkshires  Cape Cod  Central Massachusetts  Franklin County  
Greater Boston  Greater Merrimack Valley  Greater Springfield  
Hampshire County  Johnny Appleseed Country  Martha's Vineyard  
MetroWest  Mohawk Trail  Nantucket Island  North of Boston  
Plymouth County  Southeastern Massachusetts