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Massachusetts - Fairs and Festivals Massachusetts >
Fairs and Festivals
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American Indian Pow Wow
Eastover Resort, 430 East Street
Lenox, MA
Phone: 413-464-0919
August 30-September 1, 2008
The 3rd Annual American Indian Pow Wow and "Rock, Rattle and Drum" Spirit on the Mountain Music Festival. Featuring American Indian singers, dancers, drummers and storytellers representing various tribes and styles.
Information: www.eastover.com
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Green River Festival
Greenfield Community College
Greenfield, MA
Phone: 413-773-5463
July 18-19, 2008
Celebration combines music, food crafts, children's activities, hot air balloons, and more. Time: Friday, 5-10 p.m; Saturday, 11 a.m-10 p.m.
Information: www.greenriverfestival.com.
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Highland Games & Celtic Festival
Franklin County Fairgrounds
Greenfield, MA
Phone: 413-584-9182
June 28, 2008
A celebration of Scottish heritage. Highland dance and piping competitions, bagpipe bands, children's games, vendors of Celtic crafts, living history, and much more. Time: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: $7-10. Information: www.wmhg.org
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Paradise City Arts Festival
Three-County Fairgrounds at Route 9 and Old Ferry Road
Northhampton, MA
Phone: 800-511-9725
May 24-26, 2008
The Paradise City Arts Festival brings together a choice selection of the most talented and creative artists and craft designers in America. Shop for contemporary crafts, art and sculpture from more than 250 juried exhibitors from 40 states. Enjoy gourmet food, live music, children’s entertainments and craft demonstrations. Indoors and under tents; free parking. Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: Adults, $12; seniors and students, $8; children under age 12, free; weekend pass, $15. Information: www.paradisecityarts.com
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Paradise City Arts Festival
Three-County Fairgrounds at Route 9 and Old Ferry Road
Northhampton, MA
Phone: 800-511-9725
October 11-13, 2008
The Paradise City Arts Festival brings together a choice selection of the most talented and creative artists and craft designers in America. Shop for contemporary crafts, art and sculpture from more than 250 juried exhibitors from 40 states. Enjoy gourmet food, live music, children’s entertainments and craft demonstrations. Indoors and under tents; free parking. Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost: Adults, $12; seniors and students, $8; children under age 12, free; weekend pass, $15. Information:
www.paradisecityarts.com
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Tanglewood Jazz Festival
Seiji Ozawa Hall, 297 West Street
Lenox, MA
Phone: 413-637-1600
August 29- 31, 2008
A wonderful schedule of concerts. Tanglewood is located in Berkshire County of western Massachusetts and is just a short drive from the Massachusetts State Turnpike. Information: www.bso.org.
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Boston Harborfest
Various locations around city
Boston, MA
Phone: 617-227-1528
July 1-6, 2008
Festival includes more than 220 events: walking tours, concerts, Revolutionary-era historical reenactments, visits from U.S. and foreign naval ships; harbor cruises; State House tours; guided walking tours of the North End, Boston's underground and the Harbor Islands; treasure hunt; tour of Coast Guard ships; whale watch and dinner cruises; chowder fest; USS "Constitution" Turnaround Cruise; Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks.
Informtaion: www.bostonharborfest.com
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Grecian Festival
14 Magazine Street
Cambridge, MA
Phone: 617-876-3601
June 13-15, 2008
Outdoor festival includes Greek music, dancing, food, and crafts.
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North End Street Festivals
North End
Boston, MA
June 1- August 30, 2008
Enjoy the processions, street fairs, parades, bands and wonderful Italian food. Weekends June-August.
Informatin: www.northendboston.com
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Street Performers Festival
Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Boston, MA 02109 
May 24-26, 2008
The entire family will enjoy the day in Boston watching street performers, world-class jugglers, clowns, storytellers, mimes, acrobats and dancers on the cobblestone streets of the marketplace. Location: Faneuil Hall. Information: 617-523-1300 or 617-338-2323 or visit
www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com
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2008 Great Provincetown Schooner Regatta & Yacht Race
Provincetown, MA
September 3-6, 2008
Sept 3. - The Fisherman’s Cup Challenge kicks off the week with a race from Gloucester, Massachusetts to Provincetown, across Massachusetts Bay in the great tradition of the Fisherman’s Race celebrating the historic Lipton Cup race of 1907. The triumphant schooner will bring home the cup and the glory for her home port.
Sept 4. - Commodore’s Reception welcomes all visitors at the presentation of the trophy and awards a cash purse to the winning schooner’s captain.
Sept 5. – Free Tour of Schooners alongside MacMillan Pier. This is an opportunity to learn the history of the great vessels and meet the captains and crews. Friday Night Crew Party on Fisherman’s Wharf. The whole town is invited to join the fun with live music, dancing and food.
Sept 6. – The 7th Annual Great Provincetown Schooner Regatta & Yacht Race follows the Swim4LIfe. The morning starts with a captains’ breakfast for captains and navigators only. At noon the Parade of Sail passes the gathering of spectators on MacMillan Pier as boats head to the starting line off Long Point. The race is immediately followed by the Awards Banquet.
Information: www.provincetownschoonerrace.com
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 Barnstable County Fair
1220 Nathan Ellis Highway, Route 151
East Falmouth, MA 02536
Phone: 508-563-3200
Fax: 508-563-5790
Email: info@barnstablecountyfair.org
July 18-26, 2008
Share thrills and make memories at Cape Cod’s biggest event. It’s family fun at its best with a new lion & tiger show, the Cape’s largest roller coaster, and farm animals to see and touch! Indulge in fabulous food from around the world and a super-sized midway for all ages. Our entertainment line-up includes the Oak Ridge Boys, Starship with Mickey Thomas and Imagination Movers for the kids. Don’t miss the BMX Motorcross Trials and the World Largest Demo Derby.
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Blessing of the Fleet
MacMillian Wharf
Provincetown, MA
Phone: 508-487-3424
June 26-29, 2008
Fishermen, their families, and the townspeople join in the annual blessing of all the fishing boats. Portuguese Festival includes dancing, soup-tasting, children's fishing contest.
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Cape Cod Life's Food & Wine Festival
Cape Cod, MA
Phone: 508-375-4044
June 1-4, 2008
Grand Opening Tasting, June 1 at The Rectrix Aerodrome, Hyannis. Cultural Happy Hours during June 2-4. Locations: June 2- Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, Wellfleet; June 3- Highfield Hall, Falmouth; June 4- Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Brewster; June 4- Cotuit Center for the Arts, Cotuit. Also, Wine Dinners will be held June 2-4, at fine restaurants throughout the Cape. Cost: Grand Opening Tasting: $50. Cultural Happy Hours: $15.
Information: www.festival.capecodlife.com
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Cape Cod Maritime Days
Cape Cod, MA
Phone: 508-362-3225
May 1-31, 2008
Nearly 75 events held Cape-wide during the month of May honor Cape Cod's rich maritime heritage. Events include lighthouse and walking tours, nautical art exhibits, lectures on maritime lore, boat-building exhibits, kayaking excursions and more. The month-long celebration also features the Cape Cod Maritime History Symposium and Cape Cod Maritime Festival in Hyannis on May 18. Schedule of events at http://www.ecapechamber.com/MaritimeDays/
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Cape Cod Maritime Days
throughout Cape Cod, MA
May 1-31
This month-long celebration of the Cape's rich maritime history includes lighthouse & walking tours, nautical art exhibits, maritime lectures, boat-building exhibits and kayak excursions. The centerpiece of the month-long series is the Annual Cape Cod Maritime Festival on May 18 at the Hyannis waterfront in Aselton Park. Festival events include wooden boat displays in and out of the water, boat-building demonstrations, harbor cruises, crafters and artists, musical performers, kids' activities, walking tours, a raw bar and more. Information at http://www.ecapechamber.com/MaritimeDays/.
Events of Cape Cod Maritime Days include:, Kayak the Waterways of the Lower Cape throughout the month. Information: 508-240-1211. Chatham Maritime Festival, May 10, Noon to 10 p.m.at Town Hall Parking Lot, Chatham. Information: www.ChathamMaritimeFestival.org. Pirates of Cape Cod, May 10, 2 p.m. at Province Lands Visitor Center, Race Point Road, Provincetown. Information: 508-349-3785 or www.nps.gov/caco/. Tour of Plein Air Painters in Historic Bass River, May 10 at Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth. Information: 508-394-7100 or www.cultural-center.org. A Whaling Family’s Story, May 10, 11 a.m. at Captain Penniman House at Fort Hill in Eastham. Information: Reservations required! Call 508-255-3421.
Open House at Three Sisters Lighthouses, May 11, 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Nauset Light Beach in Eastham. Information: 508-255-3421 or www.nps.gov/caco/. Open House at Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, May 11, 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Old Harbor Life-Saving Station, Race Point Beach, Provincetown. Information: 508-349-3785 or www.nps.gov/caco/. Tours at Nauset Lighthouse, May 11, 1 to 4 p.m. atNauset Light, North Eastham. Information: 508-240-2612.
Cape Cod Birdathon, May 17, Throughout Cape Cod, event to follow at Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Information: 508-362-7475 or iives@massaudubon.org. Harbor Your Arts Artist Shanties, May 17, at Bismore Park, Ocean Street, Hyannis. Open house at Nobska Lighthouse, May 17, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Nobska Light, Nobska and Church Road in Woods Hole. Information: http://a01311.uscgaux.info/. Osterville Museum Boat Shop Open House, May 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Information: 508-428-5861, www.osterville.org/OHSindex.htm. Walking Tour of Hyannis Waterfront, May 31, 2 p.m. at Aselton Park, Hyannis. Information: 508-428-8267
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Provincetown International Film Festival
Various locations
Provincetown, MA 02657
Phone: 508-487-FILM
June 18-22, 2008
Celebration of filmmaking with 50 festival films and special programs. Cost: $3-6.99
Information: www.ptownfilmfest.org
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Provincetown Jazz Festival
Provincetown, MD
August 15 -17, 2008
Featuring musicians from Cape Cod, Boston, New Bedford, New York, Maryland, Florida and beyond, including: Zoe Lewis, Afro Bop Alliance (Latin Jazz), Dane Vannatter, Greg Abate, Joe Muranyi, Marcelle Gauvin, Mercedes Hall, Steve Ahern, Charlie Harris, Steve Hershman, John Harrison III, Chris Rathbun, Bart Weisman and many more! Cost: More Than $10. Information: www.provincetownjazzfestival.org
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 120th Annual Spencer Fair
40 Smithville Road
Spencer, MA 01562
Phone: 508-885-5814
Central Massachusetts's Largest Agricultural Fair
120th Annual Spencer Fair, August 29-September 1, 2008 is a great place to take the family and get great value for your entertainment dollar.
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 Festival of the Lion
Brigham Hill Road
Grafton, MA 01519
Email: inquiries@festivalofthelion.com
August 23 & 24, 2008 Even now we prepare to make merry our faire!
Come one come all to the Festival of the Lion! Experience a medieval fantasy faire in the Village of Graftonshire (Grafton, MA) and enter upon a world long past. Our eleventh season will be on Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24, 2008. The faire will be open from 10:00 am to 6 pm. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children 4 and under. Mark your calendars now for the 2008 festival! Visit www.festivalofthelion.com for directions and inquiries. We are sponsored by the Grafton Lions Club.
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Mattoon Arts Festival
Mattoon Street
Springfield, MA
September 6-7, 2008
The festival features original works created by more than 90 painters, photographers, potters, jewelers, weavers, glass workers, and other talented craftspeople. There are also food vendors and entertainers. Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The festival is free to the public. There is free parking in nearby lots.
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 Worcester Center for Crafts
25 Sagamore Rd
Worcester, MA 01605
Phone: 508-753-8183
Fax: 508-797-5626
Email: wcc@worcestercraftcenter.org
26th Annual Festival of Crafts - November 28, 29 & 30, 2008
Our Festival of Crafts on Thanksgiving weekend is an exciting and much-anticipated Worcester event. This year will have extra special happenings to celebrate the Festivals 25th birthday. The Festival is a juried show and includes 55 of the finest artists who will be selling their hand-crafted work including: jewelry, pottery, glass, hand-woven textiles, wood turned bowls, furniture & lamps. Visitors to this warm and intimate crafts fair, held in our gallery and studios, will find unique items for everyone on their gift lists while being able to meet with artists at the forefront of contemporary craft. Bake sale, food & refreshments available to purchase and as in past years there is the Artisans’ Shoebox Raffle. Image: Anne Havel
The event also serves as a fundraiser, providing support for ongoing programs, services and general operations of the Craft Center.
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Nantucket Wine Festival
Downtown
Nantucket, MA
Phone: 508-228-1128
May 14-18, 2008
This year's festival will be staged entirely in the heart of downtown Nantucket, making all the events within walking distance. Events include the opening reception on May 14, when the Nantucket community greets winemakers and sips Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label with music by Nantucket guitar virtuoso Jim Sulzer; luncheon symposia at some of Nantucket's best addresses on May 16 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; the Grand Tasting, where more than 150 of the world's great wineries will be pouring their wines, at the Nantucket Yacht Club on May 17 and 18 ; wine and food seminars; cooking demonstration with Damian Sansonetti of Bar Boulud; Great Wine in Grand Houses tastings; the Gala at the White Elephant Hotel on May 15 at 6 p.m.; Celebrity Chef and Wine Auction Dinner at the White Elephant, followed by an auction of rare wines n May 17 at 7 p.m. at the White Elephant; winery lunches and dinners. Information: http://www.nantucketwinefestival.com/html/overview.asp.
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Antique & Classic Boat Festival
Hawthorne Cove Marina, 10 White Street
Salem, MA
Phone: 617-666-8530
August 23-24, 2008
A rare chance to see vintage motor yachts and sailboats of all kinds from elegant 1920s-50s era mahogany runabouts and cabin cruisers to sloops, sharpies, yawls and schooners. Tour the vessels. Meet skippers and crews and vote for your favorite boat! A crafts market, artists, old time band music and the "Blessing of the Fleet" all add to this colorful event. Time: Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m: Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: www.boatfestival.org
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Doors Open Lowell
Various downtown locations
Lowell, MA
Phone: 978-275-1818
May 15-18, 2008
Doors Open Lowell offers an insider’s look into the preservation of over 30 of Lowell’s magnificent historic buildings. It’s a free event held during National Preservation Month to celebrate Lowell’s architectural heritage and urban living and culture. Together these have made Lowell a creative and exciting place to live and work. Look for old favorites this year as well as exciting new additions. Visit residential lofts in 19th century commercial buildings and textiles mills where space is used in innovative ways. Rediscover historic civic and community buildings still in use today. Drop in at museums that you have never been to before and return to your favorites. Schedules and tour routes available at the visitor center. Information: www.doorsopenlowell.org
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Lowell Folk Festival
67 Kirk Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: 978-970-5000
July 25-27, 2008
A three day celebration of traditional folk music, dance, skilled crafts demonstrations, street parades, and flavorful ethnic food. Six outdoor stages will be set up throughout Lowell. Information: www.lowellfolkfestival.org.
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 LynnArts
25 Exchange Street
Lynn, MA 01901
Phone: 781-598-5244
Fax: 781-599-8926
Email: lynnarts@verizon.net
Meet Me Downtown Festival of the Arts, Saturday,
September 20 11am-4pm, Central Square Lynn.
Come celebrate the arts of the North Shore with live music, theatre and dance performances, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, farmers market and wonderful local cuisine. This family friendly Festival is held each year in Lynn’s Central Square and welcomes people downtown for a day of fun in the sun. All activities are free to the public.
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Motif #1 Days
Bearskin Neck
Rockport, MA
Phone: 978-546-6575
May 17-18, 2008
This festival features the famed fishing shack, which for generations has been a favorite subject for painters and photographers. Artists will set up their easels to paint the Motif and other Rockport scenes, complemented by musicians and street performers. Other events are Arts and Flowers weekend at the Rockport Art Association, the Chowdah Fest in Harvey Park, and the Rockport Garden Club’s Plant & Garden Shed Sale at the First Congregational Church. At Motif #1 on Bearskin Neck’s Bradley Wharf, local photographer and historian Les Bartlett will present stories of the Motif in words and images on both Saturday and Sunday. Galleries featuring Rockport artists will be open and displaying their extensive collections, while amateur and professional artists will be demonstrating their skills at a variety of locales. Rockport’s many restaurants will be featuring their fine fare, and all weekend long a wide array of musicians and street entertainers will be performing at multiple locations, including Dock Square, Main Street and Bearskin Neck. Information: www.Rockportusa.com.
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Pumpkin Festival at Cogswell's Grant
60 Spring Street
Essex, MA
Phone: 978-768-3632
October 18, 2008
Celebrate the arrival of fall at Cogswell’s Grant. Children and adults can enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, decorate pumpkins, compete in a pumpkin pie-eating contest, do craft activities and play games, and try cider pressing. Choose your jack-o-lantern from our pumpkin patch and enjoy hot mulled apple cider and homemade pumpkin pie. The historic house will also be open for tours of one of the country's most celebrated collections of American antiques and folk art. Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: Adults, $6 adults; children, $4. Information: www.historicnewengland.org/visit/homes/cogswell.htm
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Salem CultureFest 2008
Salem Common, 20 Washington Square West
Salem, MA
Phone: 978-922-1220
July 26-27, 2008
This festival will feature live bands who showcase many cultures and styles, as well as other performers who will entertain while visitors enjoy exploring the unique arts, crafts, and wares of the areas finest artists and crafters. Over 2000 visitors are expected to attend this fun family-friendly event.
Information: www.a3dinc.org
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 Topsfield Fair
207 Boston Street, Route 1
Topsfield, MA 01983
Phone: 978-887-5000
Fax: 978-887-3016
Email: essex@topsfieldfair.org
America’s Oldest Fair!
October 3, 2008 – October 13, 2008
The 190th annual Topsfield Fair will run from Friday, October 3, 2008 through Columbus Day, October 13, 2008. The country's oldest continuously operating county fair features family entertainment, agricultural exhibits including the New England Giant Pumpkin weigh-off on opening day, a premier fall flower show, poultry, fruit and vegetables, rabbits, 4-H, a draft horse show, horse and oxen pulling, pigs, goats, sheep, llamas and alpacas, the Essex County Farm Yard, a Farm/Fair Museum, Home Arts, art show and much, much more including the Fiesta Shows Midway.
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Annual Festival of the Arts
157 Old Main Street
Marshfield Hills, MA 02051
Phone: 781-837-8091
May 24-25. 2008
Local artists show off their talent at this exhibit and juried show sponsored by the North River Arts Organization. Art as well as crafts are for sale along with fun activities for the entire family
The Festival of the Arts is a two-day celebration held in historic Marshfield Hills Village during the Memorial Day Weekend. Last year’s festival included the work of over 200 artists, craftsmen, and performers and attracted well over 6,000 visitors. Featured events at the festival include Art & Sculpture Exhibit, Photography Exhibit, Festival Art Sale, Artisan’s Sale, Feature Barn, silent auction, food tent, children’s activities, and a full entertainment schedule. A gala reception opens the Festival on May 23 at 7 p.m. Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Information: www.northriverarts.org
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Whaling City Festival
Buttonwood Park, Brownell Avenue
New Bedford, MA
Phone: 508-979-1745
July 12-14, 2008
Celebration honoring the city's whaling history with exhibits, tours, live musical performances, and children's activities. Time: 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.
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