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In This Issue
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
Greater Merrimack Valley
Central Massachusetts
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 July 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: Springfield
Courtesy, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
QUICK TAKE: City in the Connecticut River Valley with an ever-popular Hall of Fame, a major museums complex, and entertainment venues. SEE & DO: The Basketball Hall of Fame celebrates the city's hoop heritage with active exhibits and memorabilia. Symphony Hall hosts Off-Broadway comedies, dramas, and musicals; the  MassMutual Center showcases concerts and sports events. 5-IN-1: The Springfield Museums houses a science museum, two art museums, and two history museums - think European Impressionists, Indian Motocycles, Egyptian treasures, and 3-D molecular images - plus the beloved Dr. Seuss characters in the Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden. EAT & SLEEP: Treat yourself to BBQ with a side of blues music at  Theodore's. Put your feet up at Naomi's Inn, an elegantly-restored Italianate B&B.   

Featured Region: Franklin County

The 28th Annual Green River Festival will be held July 20-21! A family-friendly event you can't miss. Featuring Gogol Bordello, Brandi Carlile, The Devil Makes Three, Slaid Cleves, Bombino, Sun Parade, The Duhks, JD McPherson, Lake Street Drive, Heather Maloney and many more! The festival will be held at Greenfield Community College, near the intersection of Route 2 and I-91 in Greenfield (just 92 miles from Boston on Route 2). Highlights include hot air balloon rides, crafts, great food, kids' activities and a  dance tent! Gate open at noon each day, rain or shine. Presale tickets cost $90 weekend, $65 per day online until July 14th! For more details, visit www.greenriverfestival.com, or call 413-773-5463 to  reserve a balloon ride ($250 per person). Celebrate some special occasion and see the lovely landscapes of Franklin County from the air!       

 

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

July brings the rare opportunity to view the Dead Sea Scrolls, the extraordinary artistry of the armor worn by the samurai, and works by former street graffiti artist, Barry McGee. Al fresco entertainment brings Two Gentlemen from Verona, the bard's earliest comedy to Boston Common, July 6 -28; the inaugural Outside the Box (July 13-21), 9 days of over 230 FREE musical, theatrical and dance performances, along with the first-ever Boston Food Fest. The 2nd annual Summer Arts Weekend fills Copley Square with 'round the clock FREE performances from July 26-28!


For more information on Greater Boston, click here

Cape Cod

On July 5-7, experience the annual Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Pow Wow, a three-day celebration at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds in East Falmouth that is an immersion in Native American culture! The annual Auto Event will return to Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich on July 6th, and on July 19-21, the 31st Annual Greek Cultural Festival will be held at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Centerville. For information on Cape-wide Fourth of July activities, including parades and fireworks in every town, click here!  

   

For more information on Cape Cod, click here. 

Greater Springfield

Downtown Springfield bustles with activity every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. with the free Stearns Square Summer Concert Series! Beginning July 11th and wrapping up September 12th, shows include Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood (July 11th), Taj Mahal (July 18th), The Great Escape, a Tribute to Journey (July 25th), Buckwheat Zydeco (August 15th), FAT (August 22nd), Roomful of Blues (August 29th), Georgia Satellites (September 5th) and Draw the Line, a tribute to Aerosmith (September 12th). For more info, visit springfielddowntown.com!    

 

For more information on Greater Springfield, click here.
Hampshire County
The stage comes alive in Hampshire County every summer with a range of world-class theater. New Century Theatre's season continues with The Sunset Limited (through 7/6), Good People (7/11-20), and God of Carnage (7/25-8/3). The Ko Festival of Performance features six shows based on the theme COURAGE by a diverse group of contemporary artists (7/5-8/4). Hampshire Shakespeare Company's Under the Stars series features Much Ado About Nothing (7/31-8/11) and The Complete Works (Abridged) (8/14-25).

Click for more information on Hampshire County
Johnny Appleseed Country

From marches to popular melodies, music is in the air throughout Johnny Appleseed Country! The season is filled to the brim with outdoor concerts, and the venues are as diverse as the bands that enthrall their audiences. On the shores of Mirror Lake in Fitchburg's Coggshall Park, or on Townsend's picturesque town common, it's easy to find a spot to spread a blanket, enjoy a picnic, and enjoy the New England summer. To find a community concert today, click here.    

   

For more information on Johnny Appleseed Country, click here.

Martha's Vineyard
Vineyard Artisans Festivals are held Sundays and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury! Featuring more than 70 Island artisans representing amazing and diverse handcrafts, artworks, jewelry, photography, and so much more!  Meet the artists, learn their inspiration and craft. Free and open to all, refreshments sold on site.

For more information on Martha's Vineyard, click here.
Mohawk Trail Region
Who says you need an ocean to have a beach!? On Friday, July 12th, a small street in North Adams will transform into a beach for one day only! The 14th Annual Eagle Street Beach Party will dump 250,000 pounds of sand in the street. The family-friendly beach party runs from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the adult-oriented fiesta, with margaritas served on the beach, takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. Visit ExploreNorthAdams.com for more information.

For more information on the Mohawk Trail Region, click here
MetroWest
Natick Center has been designated one of the state's newest Cultural Districts, and the area is full of July activities. On the town Common (intersection of Routes 27 and 135) enjoy free summer concerts every Monday at 7 p.m., family fun nights every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., and the Farmers' Market every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The month kicks off the with 58th Annual July 4th parade at 9 a.m. On the evening of July 18th, every store and restaurant downtown throws its door open for the annual Art Walk!

For more information on MetroWest, click here.
Nantucket Island
July on Nantucket means fireworks & festivals of all types! There are several road races, garden and kitchen tours to choose from. Sports enthusiasts, art collectors and foodies, Nantucket is the place to be this summer! After your event or festival head out for an evening of casual or world-class dining. Tapas, seafood, sushi - Nantucket has it all.  Perfect weather, gentle ocean breezes and the most captivating sunsets anywhere will add to any visitors experience!

For more information on Nantucket Island, click here.
North of Boston

Celebrate America's second oldest homecoming celebration at Yankee Homecoming! An annual Newburyport tradition since 1957, Yankee Homecoming features 8 days of live music, hundreds of street vendors, food, craft shows, and so much more! Bring your family and enjoy Family Day at Maudslay or Olde Fashioned Sunday. Enjoy front row seats at the parade and nighttime fireworks spectacular. Make this tradition part of your summer traditions July 29th to August 5th in Newburyport.

For more information on North of Boston, click here.

Plymouth County

The 8th Annual Duxbury Music Festival will be held July 21-August 2 on the Duxbury Town Green! Events during the festival include: Friday July 26th at 7 p.m. "Yellow Submarine on the Green: Music of The Beatles"; Saturday, July 27th at 6:30 p.m. "Rhythm & Blues on the Green"; Sunday, July 28th at 10:30 a.m. "Family Fest"; Sunday, July 28th at 5 p.m. "Sunday in the Park"; and Monday, July 29th at 7:30 p.m. "All That's Jazz Faculty Concert." 

 

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

The New Bedford Folk Festival on July 6-7 will feature the best in contemporary, traditional and Celtic folk music at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center and the Whaling National Historical Park in New Bedford. The festival will also include an arts and crafts fair, local food vendors and free craft activities for children! Passes are just $20 for one-day, $25 for the weekend, and $15 for students. Children under 12 are free. Visit www.newbedfordsummerfest.com for more information.   

 

For more information on Southeastern MA, click here.
The Berkshires

Don't miss the 10th Annual Zucchini Festival in West Stockbridge! It will happen Saturday, August 10th (rain or shine) from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. This festival is great for the whole family and includes live music & entertainment, delicious food, arts & crafts booths, a zucchini recipe contest, a pet parade, rides, races, games, & more. Fireworks & dancing in the street will close out the great Berkshire street festival. Admission is FREE. Visit  www.weststockbridgetown.com to learn more or call 413-232-0222.   


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

The best festivals in New England are in Merrimack Valley! On July 26-28, enjoy the Lowell Festival, the nation's largest free folk festival, with bands from around the world, ethnic food, craft demonstrations and more. On August 8-10, quilt lovers shouldn't miss the Lowell Quilt Festival, a three-day event offering classes, exhibits and a quilt show. And on August 17th, experience the largest celebration of Southeast Asian culture on the the East Coast at Lowell's Southeast Asian Water Festival, where you'll enjoy dragon boat races, traditional food, dance and music!

For more information on Greater Merrimack Valley, click here.

Central Massachusetts
The Old Sturbridge Village Independence Day celebration is right around the corner on July 4th! Celebrate our Independence by signing a giant copy of the Declaration, drilling with the militia, or making a tri-corner hat. During the day there will also be a parade, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a Naturalization Ceremony - where over 100 people will become U.S. citizens! Fun for adults and children alike.

For more information on Central Massachusetts, 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