Calendaring: Festivals, Fairs, Bazaars

Please check the calendar for the most recent information I have on holiday fairs, festivals, and bazaars!
I've noticed recently an increase of visits to last year's "Holiday Festivals and Bazaars" post.  Sadly, that information is now a bit out of date.  However, in its place is the Local Calendar (see the link to the right, just under Hadley Grass and Valley Ice Cream).  Information on the Local Calendar is regularly updated, and I make additions to it whenever I hear of something appropriate to add (or see the signs along the side of the road).  Included are holiday bazaars, craft fairs, autumn festivals, local Hadley events, and other events in neighbouring towns. 
Included on the calendar page is a link to submit local events (it reads like a comment box but submissions don't get posted until I've looked at them -- this is true for all comments on the blog) and a small collection of links wherein one can find other local activities. 
Coming soon (and already posted on the calendar) -- the chyrsathemum show, a fall craft fair, and the Twist Fair....

Scenes from the Cookoff and Fire Safety Demos

If you didn't make it out for the Chili/Golumpki Cookoff and Fire Prevention Week Open House on Saturday, this is some of what you missed (click on the images to enlarge):

1926 REO Speedwagon -- Hadley's first motorized pumper; put into commission after the flood of 1927 and retired in 1955.

Home sprinkler and firefighter demonstration (those were REAL flames).

Firefighting gear on display.

Hadley's firefighters.

Hadley's manifold hose truck.

Of course,there were animals and food and music and games and raffles and souvenirs there, too -- we pet the cow and the darling little goats, had some of those wonderful firefighter fries, and picked up an informational magnet.  We missed the fireworks that night, but we sure had a good time.

Chili/Golumpki Cook-off, 2011

I've been hearing about this cookoff for a few weeks now and just started seeing signs for it last week, but I can never read small, heavily-worded signs while I'm driving down the road....  This morning I finally had the camera in the car and enough spare time to stop and take the picture of the Hadley Firemen's Association's Chili/Golumpki Cook-off sign:

Sounds like a good time.  Hope to see you there!

Also coming up this weekend -- the 5K for Farmland.  Sunday, Hadley Common, 10 am.  For more information, visit the Kestrel Land Trust site.

Autumn Migrations

I love migration season -- when the geese fly overhead and different birds visit our yard for a day or two to feed before heading out again.  I thoroughly enjoy listening to Bird Songs on the River with Joan Holliday and Dan Ziomek from the Hadley Garden Center, as they feature the migratory birds.  And I love seeing unfamiliar birds while driving familiar routes.
On my way to work this week and last, there's been a visitor on Rt 47 south in the lows of the fields by the river:

According to my Sibley's, based on leg color, beak color, and neck length, it looks to be a great egret, either a juvenile or an adult during this nonbreeding season.  What a beauty.  Makes my day every afternoon to see it among the grasses and water.

Harvest Moon Pumpkin Festival

This may be late notice, but I just received in my email a notice for the North Hadley Sugar Shack's Annual Harvest Moon Pumpkin Festival -- sounds like great fun!  Check it out:

Presenting

Our 13th Annual Harvest Moon Pumpkin Festival this Saturday Oct., 15th from 11-4.  The Tractor Parade starts at 2pm.  Fun for the whole Family!

*Pony Rides *Petting Zoo* Balloon Clown *Face painting *Cow Train ride *Pumpkin Coloring *Sugarshack Jack *Corn Pool *Haystack  *Raffles to benefit JDRF and Lots of FOOD

    See you here!
    The Boisvert Family

Autumn Pumpkins

October!  It's time to pick your autumn pumpkins--