CraftFest 2019
Just in time for Mother’s Day!
More than forty artisan vendors from throughout New England and just across town will convene to display their wares at the Plains Elementary School. You’re sure to find something to delight eye and ignite the imagination. This juried collection of has something for everyone – painting and photography for the discerning collector, jewelry and accessories the flamboyant fashionista, as well as functional works in glass, ceramic, and wood for the elegant homebody.
Timed just two weeks before Mother’s Day, CraftFest is the ideal opportunity to pick a one of a kind gift for mom and maybe a little something extra for yourself.
We’ll have live music and food trucks on site to keep your spirits high.
Proceeds from CraftFest will benefit FallsFest, South Hadley’s FREE summer festival.
FallsFest 2018
Join us for a FREE, day-long celebration that brings a world of joyous music, art, play, delectable food, and craft beverages to the banks of the Connecticut River in South Hadley Falls. The world-class lineup unites revered musicians from around the globe, blending hip-shaking rhythms from Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Spain with American roots music from New Orleans to North Carolina.
The festival is FREE for your car too, with complimentary parking available onsite and shuttle service from nearby lots.
Savor a broad array of culinary options from local restaurants and food trucks as well as craft beverages from area breweries. Big people will enjoy our open-air market featuring fifteen local artisans; putting green; dunking booth, archery demonstrations; and lawn games. Little people will be endlessly entertained with our splash park, water slide, instrument petting zoo, inflatable obstacle course, hands-on fire fighting demonstration, face painting, puppets, martial arts, magic, and more.
performance schedule
Main Stage
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Charles Majid Greelee Jazz Ensemble
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Students from the Community Music School of Springfield
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When You Got The Blues
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Stompbox Trio
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Chatham County Line
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Ola Fresca
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Charmaine Neville
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Lakou Mizik
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Glen David Andrews & Khalif Neville
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ARTISANS
Parpe Fashion Jewelry
Fudge n Stuff
Momo Glassworks
A-Door-Ables
Healing Elementals
Sand and Sea
Curious Squirrel
Freedom Body Products
Afri(k)que
Belchertown Photos
Open Ended Jewelry Design
Twisted Hollow Designs
FOOD VENDORS
Log Rolling
El Guanaco
Holyoke Hummus
Sun Kim Bop
Say Cheese
Maple Valley Creamery
Crooked Stick Pops
Tower Theatre
Flame-n-Go
FOR BIG PEOPLE
Craft Beer & Wine Tasting
Digital Ink Installation
Dunking Booth
Ledges Putting Green
Archery Demo
Lawn Games
FOR LITTLE PEOPLE
Splash Park & Water Slide
Instrument Petting Zoo
Martial Arts Demo
Interactive Fire Fighting
Roving Puppets
Close-Up Magic
Obstacle Course
Face Painting
Need a ride? Let's make this easy for you.
SOUTH HADLEY LOOP
There is a FREE 20 minute South Hadley shuttle loop that starts at South Hadley Beachgrounds Park and stops at Jubinville Insurance, Berkshire Bank, Mohawk Fine Papers, E Ink, and the South Hadley Public Library It then goes down Main Street to the public lot across from the Egg & I and back to the park. FREE parking is available in the lots at each of these stops.
HOLYOKE LOOP
Hey neighbors, we have FREE shuttle service that runs from Holyoke every 20 minutes, from 11:30 AM until 10:30 PM. You can catch the shuttle at Nueva Esperanza (401 Main Street, Holyoke) or City Hall (536 Dwight Street, Holyoke) and ride directly to FallsFest at Beachgrounds Park. Its a beautiful five minute drive over the river.
frequently asked questions
We have FREE onsite parking available at the west end of Beachgrounds Park, accessible from Main Street (across from Town Hall). When that lot is full, you can find on street parking in the surrounding neighborhoods or take the shuttle from one of several area parking lots.
There is a 15 minute Falls Fest shuttle loop that starts at Beachgrounds Park and stops at Jubinville Insurance, Berkshire Bank, Mohawk Paper, E-Ink, and the South Hadley Public Library. It then goes down Main Street to the public lot across from the Egg & I and back to the park. FREE parking is available in the lots at each of these stops.
Handicapped parking is available on Main Street directly in front of Beachgrounds Park.
Gates open at 11:30. Music and activities start at noon. The artisan market opens at noon as well. Music continues until 10pm. Most activities close in the late afternoon or at dusk.
We love our animal companions. However, for their safety and the safety of everyone attending we ask that they sit this one out. Properly harnessed service dogs are, of course, permitted.
Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, sunscreen, bug repellent, a wide brimmed hat, and your dancing shoes. We’ll have plenty of terrific food and beverage options so please leave coolers at home.
If you’re bringing a lawn chair, please be respectful of your neighbors and leave space in front of the stage for folks setting out blankets. That way everyone can enjoy a clear view of the stage.
Please DO NOT bring pets (we love our animal companions too, but the park needs to feel safe and comfortable for everyone), alcohol (we’ve got you covered with terrific selection of beer and wine), glass containers, umbrellas (small handheld umbrellas are ok in case of showers), drugs & drug paraphernalia, weapons of any kind, or fireworks.
Falls Fest is a rain or shine event, so feel free to bring a small hand held umbrella or a poncho if the sky looks gloomy. We plan to have a good time regardless of weather.
FestForward 2018
South Hadley's Emerging Artist Competition
Cast your vote and help determine which group of young musicians will have an opportunity to perform on the big stage at FallsFest.
If you enjoy competitions like The Voice and American Idol you’re going to love FestForward; an Emerging Artist Showcase where talented, young musicians compete for an opportunity to perform at FallsFest. Audience members cast the deciding vote and choose the winning band, who will open the festival in Beachgrounds Park on July 28th, 2018.
Our host for the evening is Carlos McBride (a.k.a. C Rec Mc) from the NEPR Media Lab, who works with youth in radio, storytelling and journalism.
Tickets are $25 and include a delectable buffet donated by five area restaurants. Craft beverages will be served by South Hadley’s own, Drunken Rabbit Brewing. The event is a fundraiser for Music & Arts South Hadley. Proceeds help us make world-class music and arts programming accessible to our entire community.
CraftFest 2018
APRIL 21, 9:30-3PM
Just in time for Mother’s Day!
More than forty artisan vendors from throughout New England and just across town will convene to display their wares at the Plains Elementary School. You’re sure to find something to delight eye and ignite the imagination. This juried collection of has something for everyone – painting and photography for the discerning collector, jewelry and accessories the flamboyant fashionista, as well as functional works in glass, ceramic, and wood for the elegant homebody.
Timed just two weeks before Mother’s Day, CraftFest is the ideal opportunity to pick a one of a kind gift for mom and maybe a little something extra for yourself.
We’ll have live music and food trucks on site to keep your spirits high.
Proceeds from CraftFest will benefit FallsFest and MASH’s full season of FREE arts programming.
JazzFest 2018
FEB 11TH
2-5PM, SOUTH HADLEY HIGH SCHOOL
South Hadley’s second annual Jazz Fest features showcase performances by the Berkshire Hills Music Academy Jazz Band, South Hadley Middle School Jazz Band, South Hadley High School Jazz Band, and the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts High School Rock & Soul Revue. The showcase will conclude with Frank Newton’s special arrangement of the Screaming Eagle of Soul’ Charles Bradley’s “Ain’t it a Sin” performed by both the Middle School Jazz Band and the PVPA Rock & Soul Revue.
The afternoon continues with a concert performance by the dazzling Valley Jazz Divas, backed by the Green Street Trio. The venerable Jeff Holmes Big Band featuring vocalist Dawning Holmes will close out the the program. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be prepared by students from the High School Culinary Program.
2PM – Student Showcase Performances
3PM – Valley Jazz Divas, backed by the Green Street Trio
4PM – Jeff Holmes Big Band featuring vocalist Dawning Holmes