18 ways to spend your weekends in September

By Debbie Gardner PRIME Editor What is it about a homegrown fair or festival that's so appealing to us? Is it the need to gather together for a time of fun and frivolity? A chance to celebrate a shard interest, talent or belief? For us modern folks, is it just something to do on a weekend? For whatever reason, we seem drawn to these events, and always have. According to Krista Juliana Kinnius, writing about the history of festivals for the publication SIEN quarterly, we can trace the concept of a "festival" to the ancient Egyptians, who celebrated these one-day breaks from their daily routine on an annual basis, according to their lunar calendar. The Egyptian festival often had a religious basis, as do some of our modern festivals, such as the Our Lady of Fatima Festival listed below. But others celebrated the fertility of the harvest, such as their Nile festival. Harvest or agricultural festivals are, of course, one of the most enduring examples of this type of community gathering. In America, the oldest recorded agricultural festival took place in 1802 in Arlington, VA (www.coshotontribune.com). Our own Three County Fair, this year slated for Sept. 4-7, was not far behind that date, first showing off local livestock and prize produce in Northampton in 1818. The Topsfield Fair, which still holds its annual exhibitions on the same fairground that was deeded to the Essex agricultural society in 1858, has also been displaying its animals and produce for the public to oh and ah over for over 182 years. Even today, in our tech-drive, Twitter-updated, Facebook-connected world, we flock to these events to taste new tastes, see new things in their time both electricity and the telephone were purportedly introduced to the general public at state fairs and do all sorts of things we don't normally do in our daily lives. (think of coming down the giant slide at the Big E). So if you're hankering for a giant turkey leg, cotton candy or fried dough, can't wait to see the sheep shearing or chicks hatch or a good tractor pull, take a look at the listing below. You'll also find plenty of events for those of you who enjoy viewing the work of local artisans, stepping back in time or celebrating your culture. How ever you choose to spend a fine fall weekend, enjoy, and send us pictures! We'll post them on our Web site! Sept. 4-7 Blandford Fair North Street, Blandford, MA Horse, ox and pony draws, stage shows, truck pulls, hall exhibits-adult and youth, 2 day horse show, cattle, sheep and goat show, rabbit and poultry show, midway/rides. Hours: Friday 3 p.m.-9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Mon. 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Cost: Adults, $7; seniors, $4; under age 12, free.Info. : 413-848-2888 or www.TheBlandfordFair.com. Sept. 4-7 Three County Fair Bridge Street, Northampton, MA Demolition derbies, monster trucks, Oldies Night, Preach in the Blue horse pull, ox pull, skid steer rodeo, horse show, llama show, agriculture and animal exhibits. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Cost: Adults:,$10; seniors, $8; children age 12 and younger, free. Info.: 413-584-2237 ext. 113 or www.3CountyFair.com. Sept. 4-7 Feast of Our Lady of Fatima Our Lady of Fatima Parish 438 Winsor Street, Ludlow MA Portuguese food, music, culture and religious devotion, including a candlelit procession to the church's Our Lady of Fatama shrine on the evening of Sept. 6. Info: (413) 583-2312 Sept. 5 & 6 31st Annual New England Arts & Crafts Festival Location: Topsfield Fairgrounds, Route 1 Show Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From 95 take Exit 50 follow Route 1 North @ 2 miles Outdoor and Indoor Event Admission $5 Sept. 5-Oct. 25 King Richard's Faire 235 Main Street, Carver, MA At King Richard's Faire, the New England Renaissance Festival, enjoy musicians, jugglers, and acrobats, contests and games for all ages, knights on horseback. Enjoy turkey legs, ears of corn,fresh baked cookies, chocolate, wine and beer and a 16th-century marketplace filled with handmade clothing, costumes, pottery, jewelry, toys, leather goods, face painting and more. Dates: Open weekends from September 5 through October 25 and Labor Day and Columbus Day Mondays. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: Adult $26; child age 5-11, $15; seniors age 65 or older, $24; Info.:952-238-9915 or www.kingrichardsfaire.net Sept. 10-13 Franklin County Fair Wisdom Way, Greenfield, MA Agricultural exhibits and competitions including: cattle, poultry, sheep, rabbits, draft horse pulls (Saturday), oxen draws (Sunday) Fiesta shows midway, demolition derby, musical entertainment, kick-off parade (Thursday) public safety parade and firefighters' muster (Sunday) concessions, fair museum. Opens: Thursday, 3 p.m.; Friday, noon; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. Cost: Adults, $8; youth age 11-17, $6; seniors (60 and older), $5; under 10 free. Flying Wallenchas (Thursday-Saturday). Info. 413-774-4282 or www.fcas.com. Sept.11-13 Glendi 2009 St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral & Greek Cultural Center, 22 St. George Road, off Main St., Springfield, MA Food, music, dancing, art and cultural exhibits, kids' activities, cathedral and chapel tours, Greek vendors, and more great food Info: 413-737-1496 or www.stgeorgecath.org/glendi.htm Sept. 12-13 Mattoon Arts Festival Mattoon Street - Springfield, MA The 37th festival features 80-plus exhibitors, food vendors, and strolling musicians. Parking and admission are free. We are only three blocks from I-91. Come join us at this family-friendly event. Great for holiday shopping, seeing new craft ideas, or just walking on a beautiful Victorian street. Info.: www.mattoonfestival.org Sept. 18- Oct. 4 The Big E Eastern States Exposition - West Springfield, MA Free entertainment includes The Star of the Peking Acrobats every day, Little Big Town on September 26, and the Brett Michaels Rock of Love Tour on October 3. The Sea Lion Splash returns to the Avenue of States on September 17-October 4. Fair highlights include: a Mardi Gras parade; the Big E Super Circus; Horse Show; Draft Horse Show; agricultural, 4-H and FFA contests and events; Big E Gold Wine Competition (winning wines on display); petting zoo; Farm-A-Rama; amusement rides; Better Living Center; New England Center; creative arts show; Storrowton Village Museum; The Avenue of States; crafts; shopping; the Big E Cream Puff; and foods from around the world. Time: Daily, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission: Monday-Thursday, adults, $12; children age 6-12, $8; Friday to Sunday, adults, $15; children age 6-12, $10; children under age 6, free all days. Seniors (60+), Monday-Thursday, $10.Five After Five, gate admission is $5 after 5 p.m. Information: www.thebige.com Sept. 19 Bethlehem Artisan Festival Sturbridge Town Common Sturbridge, MA Entertainment: 1 stage 60 juried Sept. 19-20 Old Deerfield Fall Craft Fair Memorial Hall Museum Grounds - Deerfield, MA Entertainment: 3 stage., 175 juried Exhibitors. Sept. 21 WEMA Fest Springfield Jewish Community Center - Springfield, MA Entertainment: 2 stage. 50 Exhibitors. Sept. 26 Apple Harvest & Crafts Festival Amherst Town Common - Amherst, MA Entertainment: 1 stage. 100 juried Exhibitors. Sept. 25-27 Belchertown Fair Town Common, Main Street Belchertown Wrist band program Friday night, rides, parade on Saturday horse pull on Saturday, ox draw on Sunday, baby show, small animal exhibits, 4-H tent, large exhibit hall, free entertainment in the Social Tent and activities within the kids tent. Time: Friday, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m. Cost: Free. Info. 413-896-0883 or www.belchertownfair.com. Sept. 26 & 27 Hancock Shaker Village Country Fair Route 20. Pittsfield, MA Handcrafted items in an artisan area, local produce in farmers' market area, a kids' tent, wagon rides, food vendors and agricultural demonstrations. Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cost: Adults, $16.50; youth age 13-17, $8; children under age 12, free. Info: 413-443-0188 ext. 213 or www.hancockshakervillage.org. Oct. 2 - 12 Topsfield Fair _ America's Oldest Fair! 207 Boston Street, Route 1, Topsfield, MA 01983 The 191st annual Topsfield Fair will run from Friday, October 2, 2009 through Columbus Day, October 12, 2009. 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. Info: 978-887-5000, Fax: 978-887-3016 Oct. 3-4 North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival Forster's Farm, 60 Chestnut Hill Road, Orange, MA The Festival that Stinks is a celebration for the whole family. At the North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival you can support and enjoy the bounty of over 100 artists, farmers and organizations; strengthen communities by purchasing locally grown and crafted goods; learn to grow garlic, press cider, mill lumber, make paper, coil clay, grind grain, do tai chi, go solar; nourish yourself through chef demos, food and the wood fired bread oven; enjoy live music and entertainment on two solar powered stages, wonderful workshops and garlic games galore. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Rain or shine. Admission: Adults, $5 per day, $8 for weekend pass; children age 12 and younger, free. Information: www.garlicandarts.org Oct. 4 Festival Of The Hills Memorial Common, Conway, MA A day of family and community fun with events for all ages. Kids can enjoy the baby barnyard, face paintings, hay maze and many other games. The Festival has a long tradition of the legendary skillet toss, road race, wood splitting contest, arts and crafts, dunk booth, live music entertainment, spectacular food, freshly pressed cider made-to-order, fantastic art exhibit by area artists, book signing by local artists, parade at 1 p.m., Caf Conway and more. Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: Free. Info.:413-369-4392 or www.festivalofthehills.com.