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

Clockwise from top left: Strange Fruit, Outside the Box festival; Thomas Ortiz Dance, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival; Redcoats & Rebels, Old Sturbridge Village; Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Pow Wow; Lowell Folk Festival    

 
July 2014
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!

Cultural Road Trip: Coastal Wine Trail 
QUICK TAKE: Four coastal wineries - all tucked into the charming southeast corner of the state.  SEE & DO:  Tour these locally-owned vineyards, chat with the winemakers, and try a sample or two. Westport Rivers is known for its sparkling wines and for its white varietals. Running Brook Vineyards offerings include port-style wines. Coastal Vineyards produces small batch varietals and blends. Travessia is an urban winery in New Bedford. PAIRINGS: In between tastings, take a dip at the 2-mile-long Horseneck Beach. Take a hike at the Lloyd Center for the Environment.  Explore the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. EAT & SLEEP: Dine at Cork Wine & Tapas in New Bedford.  Sleep in the FDR Room at the Delano Homestead B&B in Fairhaven. Photo courtesy of Running Brook Vineyard  
 
Featured Region: Southeastern Massachusetts

The last of an American whaling fleet that numbered more than 2,700 vessels and the oldest commercial ship still afloat - the Charles W. Morgan is making her final voyage to the New Bedford State Pier June 28th - July 6th. This historic Homecoming will be nothing short of spectacular with nine days of concerts, regattas, whaleboat races and parades, a whaling history symposium, and much more! Don't miss a single celebration by checking the event schedule. The 6th Annual Mansfield Art Explosion is happening on July 26th from 3pm-11pm, with live music & art, food, henna tattoos, local art vendors, kids' activities, and a graffiti wall (Bring a can to tag the wall!). Click here for ticket prices.  Find more information on Southeastern Massachusetts.   

The Berkshires

No trip to the Berkshires is complete without a visit to Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra! Their season runs from June 27th to August 30th, during which they'll have over 100 concerts. For the Classical aficionados, don't let the summer go by without hearing a performance led by Andris Nelsons, families can enjoy a Sunday afternoon picnic on Tanglewood's picturesque lawn and be sure to check out their Popular Artists Series as well.  There is a little something for everyone this summer at Tanglewood, so get your tickets today. Find more information on the Berkshires. 

Greater Merrimack Valley
Come to downtown Lowell this July 25-27 for the 28th Annual Lowell Folk Festival, the largest free folk festival in the nation. Enjoy a wide variety of world and folk music from internationally renowned performers on five downtown stages along with some of the best ethnic cuisine including Greek, Latin-American, African, Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian specialties. Enjoy dancing under the festival's big tent, arts and crafts demonstrations, children's activities and more. For more information visit www.lowellfolkfestival.org or call 978-970-5000.  Find more information on Greater Merrimack Valley.
Central Massachusetts

Historical July 4th Festivities at Old Sturbridge Village! Old Sturbridge Village is offering free daytime admission to children age 17 and under accompanied by an adult paying full price! After daytime events end at 5 p.m., the museum will close and reopen from 6 to 10 p.m. for a separate fireworks program that includes food, music, entertainment and a spectacular 30-minute fireworks display. For fireworks tickets and details: 800-SEE-1830 or www.osv.org.  Find more information on Central Massachusetts.
Franklin County

Is a hot air balloon ride on your bucket list? Take one at the Green River Festival on July 12-13 in Greenfield. $225 per person until July 1st ($250 after), which includes festival admission, music including Norah Jones, food and fun! Visit greenriverfestival.com or call 413-773-5463 to reserve rides. Launches around 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., weather permitting. And don't miss Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Karrin Allyson in concert July 5th at 7:30 p.m. in Shelburne Falls. Buy tickets online!  Find more information on Franklin County. 

Greater Boston

Harborfest, the Boston POPS and a magnificent firework display usher in July. The Magna Carter (only one of 4 surviving copies) is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, along with six-decades of Jaime Wyeth's work. The Charles W. Morgan, the world's only surviving wooden whaling ship, docks for a 4 day visit starting July 18. The same weekend morphs Revere Beach into larger-than-life works of art at The National Sand-Sculpting Festival.  The 2-day Summer Arts Weekend (26 & 27) will entertain everyone and Wednesday nights bring The Landmarks Orchestra's free concerts at the Hatch Shell.  Find more information on Greater Boston

Cape Cod
The Cape Cod Canal turns 100 this year! A week-long Cape Cod Canal Centennial celebration takes place July 25-August 3, with highlights to include tall ships tours, the Canal MusicFest, a tugboat parade and more. The official 100th Anniversary Commemoration on July 29th includes a spectacular fireworks display off of Buzzards Bay Park!  Meanwhile, the town of Sandwich is celebrating 375 years; festivities the weekend of August 2-4 include the Water Street Wing Fling and a magnificent Paintscaping 3D display that will leave you in awe! Find more information on Cape Cod. 
Greater Springfield

Feed your musical tastes with the outdoor concerts playing in Greater Springfield! The Armory's Big Band Concert is July 12th with big band sounds and free dance lessons.  Sevenars Concerts are in Worthington July 13, 20 and 27 - voted one of six best small music festivals in the U.S. by Time Magazine. Traditional Yiddish music is celebrated at Yidstock at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst July 17-20, and Mohawk Trail Concerts are July 25-26!  Find more information on Greater Springfield

Hampshire County
From Shakespeare to contemporary performances, the summer theater season in Western Massachusetts has something for every taste! Hampshire Shakespeare Company does The Comedy of Errors (7/9-7/20) and Julius Caesar (7/23-8/3) under the stars in Amherst.  New Century Theatre in Northampton has three more laughter-packed shows this season (7/3-8/9). The Ko Festival of Performance in Amherst features four weeks of theater based on the season theme of WORK | JOB | CAREER | CALLING (7/5-8/3).  Find more information on Hampshire County.
Johnny Appleseed Country
Summer's here - and the listening is easy! Grab a blanket. Pack a picnic.  Enjoy free outdoor concerts throughout Johnny Appleseed Country! From the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard to Butterfield Park in Orange, music is in the air. Hear the Leominster Colonial Band, tap your toes to the Townsend Military Band, or visit Fitchburg's Coggshall Park to experience a variety of styles, from country to blues.  In the mood for music? Check out the day-by-day listing of summer concerts at appleseed.org. Find more information on Johnny Appleseed Country.
Martha's Vineyard

The Vineyard Artisans Festivals will be held Sundays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in July and August! Indoors and outdoors, rain or shine at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury. Come meet over 70 Island artisans and buy directly from them. Many demonstrations, weaving, fine furniture, pottery, stained glass, oil paintings, pastels, mixed media, sculpture, wampum jewelry, quilts, clothing, sea glass windows, handmade books and much more. Find more information on Martha's Vineyard.
Mohawk Trail Region
Discover the Clark anew this summer! Explore a new Visitor Center, the renovated Museum Building, and a sweeping new landscape design that transforms the 140-acre site. Wander the walking trails, enjoy the new reflecting pool terrace, and retail and dining facilities. Opening July 4th! Open  daily through October 13th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 7 p.m. on Fridays. From October 14 to June 1, 2015, open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find more information on the Mohawk Trail Region
MetroWest

In July, the Natick Center Cultural District offers free outdoor family concerts every Monday at 7 p.m., a parade on July 4th, a farmers market every Saturday morning, and the new Natick Center Restaurant Week July 13-19.  One of the month's highlights is Art Walk on July 17 from 5-8:30pm, when more than 50 area artists open their studios and move their exhibits and demonstrations outside. Live musicians and concessions line the sidewalks! Find more information on MetroWest

Nantucket Island

The Sixth Annual Nantucket Garden Festival on July 23-24 highlights the unique and beautiful garden ecosystems on Nantucket and focuses on the importance of sustainability, conservation and gardening ethics for the long-term health of the island. The 2014 Garden Festival will emphasize the evolution of the Nantucket garden, and celebrate gardening through informative workshops, exquisite garden tours, children's activities and an opening night party.  Find more information on Nantucket Island.  

North of Boston

Bentleys, BMWs, and more - oh my!  Classic cars will be rolling to Endicott College's Misselwood estate for the Misselwood Concours d'Elegance July 26-27. A premier classic car show, the Concours d'Elegance features the finest vintage and rare automobiles and motorcycles set against the beautiful and picturesque background of Misselwood.  This weekend-long event also features a driving tour of the historic North Shore, fashion shows, art exhibits, and fancy hat competition.  Fasten your seatbelts - this is one ride you won't want to miss!  Find more information on North of Boston. 

Plymouth County

The Duxbury Music Festival will be held Sunday, July 20th through Friday, August 1st!
The Festival is a 16-day intensive program for the study and performance of solo and chamber repertoire and a renowned faculty who offer chamber performances, as well as individual instruction and ensemble coaching. Audiences are invited to purchase tickets for the Festival's Opening Concert (July 20th), the four faculty concerts and the Winners Concert. Performances will be held at the Conservatory's Ellison Center for the Arts, the Duxbury Performing Arts Center and in seaside homes or other private venues. Click here for tickets! Find more information on Plymouth County.

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