Category Archives: New England

April 13, 2017

Art In The Park (Lappin Park, Salem, MA)

Date Of Event: April 9, 2017

Location: Lappin Park, Essex St, Salem, MA

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Highlights: Aspiring and casual artists painting and drawing works of art

Once known exclusively for the tragic Salem Witch Trials and tales of haunted attractions, Salem, MA, has become a hub of artistic and creative expression. The “Art In The Park” event held last weekend (April 9) at Lappin Park (also known as the park with the Bewitched statue) is proof of this.

This was the first “Art In The Park” event and it was such a success another event has been planned for May (details of the upcoming event can be found near the end of this post). The idea came to a school teacher who resides in Salem, MA. And, the Salem Collective of Arts And Musicians (SCAM) ran with the idea.

Gary, one of the organizers of the event, told me, it was great seeing people from all walks of life, ages and backgrounds getting together to bond over art.

From novices to skilled artists, all were welcome to participate. This family’s work of art was aptly called, “Family.”

This work of art was a collaborative effort with at least 3 or 4 people taking turns working on it.

This work of art was created by the creator of the event, John.

Another Art In The Park event is scheduled for Sunday, May 7 at Lappin Park in Salem, MA , at 11 a.m. Minimal materials will be provided. For more details, check out their Facebook page:Art In The Park.

Below are some photos of the exterior of the SCAM building on Essex St

Although they weren’t interested in painting, I saw a lot of dogs in Salem enjoying the beautiful Salem weather.

Bella is a 2 year old rescue from Alabama. Although her exact breed is not known, her mom thinks she probably has some Lab in her. Either way, she cute’s as a button!

Nora is a 5 year old Chihuahua. Don’t you just love those ears!

As an fyi, the Salem garage (at least the one on New Liberty St where the Museum Plaza is) no longer has attendees in their parking garage. They have automated their pay system. Gone are the friendly faces that greeted you as you entered and left the garage.

Although it seems like a minor change and for the better for some, I’ll actually miss having a person taking my money and wishing me a good day instead of paying a lifeless machine. It’s funny how such a small and seemingly innocuous change can bother me so. I suppose it’s also a sign that things are changing (and I suspect there will be many more changes coming to Salem). Or, it could just be another sign the machines are taking over!

13 Comments | tags: art, dogs, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, Salem | posted in art, dogs, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Salem, Uncategorized

April 9, 2017

Norris Reservation (Norwell, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: April 8, 2017

Location: 10 Dover St, Norwell, MA (about 30 miles south of Boston)

Hours: Daily sunrise to sunset

Cost: Free for Trustees members, $5 parking fee for non members

Parking: There is a small lot by the entrance for about a dozen cars. It fills up quickly during the summer and other peak times

Handicapped Accessible: No, the trails are too rocky and they often get muddy after rainy days

Park Size and Trail Difficulty: 129 acres, 2 miles loop trail, 2.5-3 miles of trails if you walk the side trails. Trails are easy and accessible for people of all ages.

Dog Friendly: Yes

Highlights: ponds, streams, boardwalks, old mill site, old boat house, herring and other fish, birds, if you’re lucky you might see a beaver or other type of wildlife

Lowlights: Be careful of ticks (I brought home 3 with me)

Web Site: Norris Reservation

Trail Map: Norris Reservation Trail Map

Once the site of a mill and the current site of an old boat house, Norris Reservation boasts white pine and oak trees, wetlands and a boardwalk teeming with wildlife as well as pretty trees with leaves that look like they’re still in foliage, pretty rock formations and plant life.

Truly a hidden jewel ( be careful driving to the parking lot- I drove past the entrance and had to enter through the exit of the small parking lot), Norris Reservation is a fine park to visit throughout the year. During the winter, trails can be accessed with snowshoes if needed. The flowers and trees are vibrant during the spring and summer and the trees are ablaze with foliage during the fall. During my visit, it was a rather average spring day. It was windy to begin but settled into a pretty standard spring day, albeit a bit on the cold side. You can see the ripples in the water from the wind in some of the photos.

Along the walkway as you enter the reservation along Eleanor’s Path (named after the benefactor of the park, Eleanor Norris), there is a pond and a little waterfall.

I got to break out my new gear, my Canon EOS 8D for this shoot. So, I was very excited to take it on for a test drive. I’m still getting used to the buttons and how it operates. But, I hope the photos are an improvement from my previous shots, especially as I get more familiar with it.

The main trail at Norris Reservation is probably the red trail which eventually takes you to Gordon’s Pond. Gordon’s Pond has a boardwalk with scenic views and a small waterfall. The pond is encircled with trees and it is popular with fishing enthusiasts.

Named after Albert P. Norris, whose wife donated the land upon his death, Norris Reservation hugs the North River which was once the center of pre-Colonial era ship building. Along these side trails, you can find a lot of scenic views and bird life.

Along the McMullan Trail is the old boathouse. I’m not sure if it’s operational for use and you’re not allowed to tie boats or dock there. But, it is a nice place to hang out on the deck and take in the beauty of the area.

There is also a granite block in the Granite Boulders section of the trail.

There is also an abundance of birds at Norris Reservation. I was able to shoot this robin, some black birds and a baby loon at the park.

Norris Reservation is an ideal place to take your pooch for a walk. I saw dozens of cute dogs during my hike at Norris. Below are some of the more photogenic dogs I saw on the trails.

Argos is an 11 month old White Shepherd. I had never seen such a fluffy, cute pure white dog. He really did stand out to me.

Delilah (on the left) is a 2 year old Boston Terrier and Harley is a 10 year old Yorkie and Shih Tzu mix. They posed so well!

Colby is a 7 and a half Bernese Mountain Dog. What a cute smile!

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16 Comments | tags: birds, boathouse, dogs, Massachusetts, New England, Norwell, photographs, Photography, photos, ponds, trees | posted in birds, boathouse, dogs, Massachusetts, New England, Norwell, photographs, photography, photos, pond, Uncategorized

April 5, 2017

North American Alpaca Show (West Springfield, MA)

By New England Nomad

Dates of Event: March 31-April 2, 2017 (photos taken April 1)

Location: Eastern States Exposition Center, Mallory Building, 1305 Memorial Ave, West Springfield, MA (2 hours west of Boston, MA)

Cost: Free

Parking: ample parking is provided, free of charge, at the rear and side of the Mallory Building

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Highlights: Alpacas, Alpaca shows, products made from Alpaca fleece

Web Site: North American Alpaca Show

Known for their seemingly ever present signature smile and calm demeanor, alpacas are one of the more popular animals in the New England area. Alpaca farms have been springing up more and more in the Northeast area. In fact, the New England Alpacas Owners and Breeders Association (NEAOBA) lists 85 breeders in the New England and New York area. Many of these breeders and owners met last weekend at the Eastern States Exposition Center in West Springfield, MA. The owners and breeders came as far away as Phoenix, New York and parts of Maine and Vermont.

Besides being absolutely adorable and generally calm animals, alpacas are said to be very smart animals. They often tend to pack together, you know like you expect from alpackas. Okay enough word play. For now. As you can see from the photos below, they do like to be close to each other.

But, I did manage to get a few Alpacas on their own to photograph which was hard to do since they were all packed in there together (I told you I wasn’t done with my word play). There are so many different colors and sizes. Fun facts: the average alpaca can grow to be 150 to 175 pounds! They also have a life span of 15-20 years and can grow to be as tall 3 feet at the shoulders and 4.5 feet tall by the head.

I also liked this “Alpaca photo bomb”

Alpacas are shown and judged (they all received ribbons from to last place) and they are generally calm while they are being shown, except when their personal space is encroached. But, overall they were very graceful.

Some of the alpacas appeared to mouth the metal fencing of their pens. This is not uncommon. In fact, one owner said he keeps baby teething rings for his alpacas and they enjoy using them.

Most of the alpacas were very friendly, albeit a little guarded. But, once they warm up to you, they were very social. In fact, they seemed to pose for me. That is what I noticed most about them. They seem to have a lot of personality.

There were also several people selling many products made from alpaca fleece. They sold a variety of products made from alpaca fleece. They were even selling alpacas made from alpacas (fleece). Being an animal lover, I inquired about the shearing process and I was informed that it is a simple, quick process that does not hurt the animals.

One of the cool things about these cuties is how they communicate to each other in a variety of ways such as through posture, the movement of their tails and some of them even make a noise the owners and breeders call “humming”.

23 Comments | tags: alpacas, animals, Eastern States Exposition, fun, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, West Springfield | posted in alpacas, Eastern States Exposition Center, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized, West Springfield

March 28, 2017

Ludlow Clock Tower (Ludlow, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: March 25, 2017

Location: Ludlow Mills, East St and State St, Ludlow, MA (about 2 hours west of Boston, MA and 15 minutes northeast of Springfield, MA)

Parking: There is a parking lot at ghe side and rear of the building. There is also parking available in nearby parking lots

A few of the great things about New England are the old buildings and historical structures. It’s funny how we can become attached to inanimate objects. However, I don’t really consider these buildings as being dead or never having been alive in the first place. The people and the activity in the buildings give them an energy and a life of their own. Yeah, I really do have strong feelings about brick, stone and concrete structures. Maybe I should look into that.

Buildings and structures (especially abandoned ones) are like living, breathing entities with countless stories to tell. They are not just buildings. They become fixtures of their communities. Such as the case with the Ludlow Clock Tower and Lower Mills area. In fact, the the clock tower is such a prominent fixture of the town it is depicted on the town seal.

Oddly, the clock remains stuck at 10 past twelve o’clock at the front facing clock and 11:45 at the side facing clock (it was a little after 10 a.m. when I took the photos).

The Ludlow Clock Tower, or at least the building attached to it, is scheduled to be renovated as part of the Massachusetts 351 Project. As part of this project, some of the space will be set aside for senior housing by the WinnDevelopment corporation. Some of the space will also be taken by HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital which is estimated to cost $288 million and house 53 hospital beds.

Although it is good the space will be put to good use, it is sad the once prominent manufacturing facility will be renovated. With the walls, bricks, and probably a little asbestos, a lot of history and memories will be demolished.

The clock tower , which was constructed as part of the complex in 1886 by the Ludlow Manufacturing and Sales Company, has seen various business and tenants roam its hallways over the years. The commercial space has seen many changes from the horse and buggy days to the current days of motorized vehicles.

At its height in the 1920’s, before the Great Depression, the commercial space is said to have employed over 4,000 people. Now it stands largely unoccupied in stark contrast to the busy manufacturing powerhouse it used to be.

Like many other buildings and facilities, the Lower Mills facility fell victim to modernization. Lower Mills stopped their operations in the 1960s. Currently, 38 small businesses occupy the space.

Een though the building and neighborhood will clearly be better for the renovations and modernization (there is also a river walk way being considered), I can’t help feeling the neighborhood will lose just a little of its charm.

15 Comments | tags: clock tower, Ludlow, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, Photography, photos | posted in clock tower, Ludlow, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized

March 25, 2017

Pomeroy’s Maple Sugar House (Westfield, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: March 25, 2017

Location Pomeroy’s Sugar House, 491 Russelville Rd, Westfield, MA (about 2 hours west of Boston, MA, 20 minutes west of Springfield, MA)

Hours: Fri – Sun, 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Cost: Free tour of the maple sugar making house

Handicapped Accessible: The farm is but the restaurant might not be

Highlights: Maple sugar making, breakfast and bruch., cows and calfs

Website: Pomeroy’s Sugar House

It’s March and that can only mean one thing. Well two things. Your March Madness bracket sheets are probably as marked up as a fifth grader’s book report and it’s maple sugar house season. Since this is the peak of maple sugar season, we decided to take a trip to Pomeroy’s Sugar House. Pomeroy’s Sugar House is a third-generation restaurant and maple sugar making house in Westfield, MA.

Because of the weather conditions during this time of the year, March is considered “Maple Sugar Making Month” in Massachusetts and many of the other states in New England. The best conditions for collecting and producing maple sugar syrup is when the temperatures are cold at night (below freezing) and mild during the day (in the 40’s and warmer typically). The season is supposed to last about 5 weeks.

The process begins usually during the beginning of the month of March when the temperatures begin to warm during the days. The freeze and thaw process alters the pressure in the trees and gets the sap flowing so it can be collected. Holes are cut into the maple trees with drills and spigots jut out from the trees. Buckets are then propped up against the trees to collect the sugar During their growing season, the maple trees create starch. As the temperature increases, enzymes in the tree transform the starch into sugar during the Spring thaw. The trees then absorb water through their roots which mixes with the sap and voila you have the makings of a tasty treat that is considered a emblematic of New England.

Some of the more modernized maple sugar plants use tubing rather buckets to collect the sap. But,many of the sugar houses still use buckets. It gives it a more traditional look and it also shows visitors just how the process works step by step. Each tree can usually yield between 10 to 14 gallons of sap per bucket with some trees having 2 or 3 buckets attached to them.

Even after the sap is collected the process is not complete yet. Not even close. Sap is 97.5 % water and only 2.5% sugar. So it needs to be boiled down to get to the tasty goodness to makw syrup. Through a long and somewhat arduous process, the sap is processed and turned into syrup with the help of these machines.

The truck below is one of the trucks Pomeroy’s uses to transport their sap from trees at other locations.

Fun fact (unless you’re one of those making the maple sugar): it takes 40 gallons of maple sap to make just one gallon of maple syrup.

Fun fact number two: the Native Americans introduced the process of making maple syrup to the European settlers. It was all downhill from there.

The demand for these sugary treats is high. In fact, the restaurant ran out of maple syrup during our visit. But, the friendly staff at the sugar house were busy preparing more for later that day. If you get the chance to go today, the staff at Pomeroy’s said they would have more by 5 p.m. Or, stop by another day!

There is also a farm in back of Pomeroy’s Sugar House. The cows were in their pens.

A baby calf was hiding in his or her hut but the calf eventually got out to say hi.

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22 Comments | tags: cows, maple sugar, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, Western Massachusetts, Westfield | posted in cows, maple sugar, Massachusetts, New England, photographs, photography, photos, Uncategorized, western massachusetts, Westfield

March 17, 2017

Irish Famine Memorial (Boston, MA)

By New England Nomad

Date Of Visit: March 17, 2017

Location: corners of Washington and School St, Boston, MA

Cost: Free

Hours: Accessible everyday, 24 hours a day

Parking:Street parking can be difficult is this neighborhood. Finding a parking garage is probably the best option. Also, the Park St train stop on the Red Line is within walking distance (about half a mile) to the memorial.

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

While we’re celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day with our green beer and corned beef (pause for the collective yuck) it’s easy to forget about the history of the Irish people and the hardships that brought so many Irish here, especially to New England.

The Boston Irish Famine Memorial is dedicated to the Great Famine that gripped Ireland in 1845. Potatoes, a main crop in Ireland, stopped growing, leaving many to go hungry and suffer financially as they could not sell their crops. Mold was the culprit. Since potatoes were the main crop in Ireland, many of the poor in Ireland suffered from the famine, with about one-eighth of the population dying from hunger or disease related to the famine over the following years. As a result of the famine, Irish immigration to the United States spiked with over 1.5 million Irish arriving on our shores. Boston was one of the main destinations for these new citizens and the Irish remain a prominent part of our community.

Robert Shure’s Boston Irish Famine Memorial displays the pain and, conversely, pride of the Irish people who have suffered so much. It is a somber, powerful and inspiring display of the suffering and, ultimately, the ability of the Irish to overcome their “troubles”.

The first statue, located on School and Washington streets, shows three people, presumably a mother, father and child, in the throes of hunger. Shure was meticulous in his sculpture. You can see how thin the figures are and, from certain angles, you can actually see the ribs of the figures.

The second sculpture shows three people, presumably the very same family healthy and happy. Standing up straight and proudly, the family looks happy and healthy. It is most certainly a sign of how all of us can overcome adversity and how the Irish have been able to withstand so much.

As an aside, I love the diversity of Boston. Traversing through the memorial, I witnessed people of all walks of life and ethnicities.

A wreath and flower was placed by the Charitable Irish Society at the sculpture of the suffering family and on one of the figures of the memorial to commemorate Saint Patrick’s Day.

A series of 8 plaques encircle the memorial. One of the plaques, entitled “Let’s We Forget”, gives a nod to the suffering and famines across the globe and how we continue to watch as others starve helplessly.

The bronze and granite memorial was dedicated in June of 1998, marking the 150th anniversary of the famine.

On my way back to the train station, I saw Brig, a beautiful Bull Mastiff.

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17 Comments | tags: Boston, dog, Ireland, Irish, Massachusetts, memorial, New England, photographs, Photography, photos, sculpture, statues | posted in Boston, dog, Ireland, Irish, Massachusetts, memorial, New England, photographs, photography, photos, statues, Uncategorized

March 9, 2017

Spring Bulb Show (The Botanic Garden of Smith College, Northampton, MA)

By New England Nomad

Dates Of Event: March 4 – March 19, 2017 (photos taken March 4)

Location: The Botanic Garden of Smith College, 16 College Lane, Northampton, MA

Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday extended hours 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (members get in earlier at 9 .a.m)

Cost: Free ( a $5 donation is suggested)

Parking: unmetered parking is available on College Lane and additional parking is available throughout Northampton

Handicapped Accessible: Yes, from their website: There is one designated handicapped parking space in front of the Lyman Plant House. Two of the three front entrances to the Lyman Plant House and Conservatory are wheelchair accessible and the restrooms are accessible. There is a lift in the front of the building that goes between the lower level Church Exhibition Gallery and the Reception area. All but one of the greenhouses (the Fern House) are accessible.

Highlights: Avariety of flowers such as crocuses, hyacinths, narcissi, irises, lilies and tulips in full bloom or nearly in bloom at the Botanic garden of Smith College

Web Site: The Botanic Garden of Smith College

Believe it or not, spring, for most if us, is right around the corner. Soon enough, drab, colorless soil and grass and dead flowers and plant life will be replaced with the vibrant colors of spring and summer.

As an early celebration of the spring season, the Botanic Garden of Smith College is showcasing a colorful array of flowers as part of their Spring Bulb Show (which ironically ends the day before the Vernal Spring buds, get it?) .

There were a wide variety of flowers of display and I won’t even try to name or describe all of them, except to sayy they were very pretty.

The gaarden used works of art such as paintings and statues to highlight the beauty of the flowers. It was very well done and it brought out the colors of the flowers.

The people at the Botanic garden were kind enough to open the rest of the garden to us which showcased an impressive field of flowers and trees.

I also spotted a frog, fish and some other mysterious faces at the garden.

We also saw Kaezli, a beautiful 4 year old Burnese Mountain Dog, outside the Botanic garden.

Below is a video of a plant that closes when it feels pressure or weight and a video of a waterfall at the garden.

21 Comments | tags: art, dogs, flowers, Massachusetts, New England, Northampton, photographs, Photography, photos, plants, trees | posted in art, dog, flowers, Massachusetts, New England, Northampton, photographs, photography, photos, plants, Uncategorized

March 1, 2017

Beach Polo (Newport, RI)

By New England Nomad

Dates Of Event: February 25 & 26, 2017 (photos taken Feb. 25)

Location: Easton’s Beach (First Beach), 175 Memorial Blvd, Newport, RI

Hours: 1:00 -2:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

Parking: Free (parking was free for this event but usually the beach charges to park at the beach)

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Dog Friendly: Yes

Highlights: people on horses playing beach polo

It’s not everyday you get to see polo. It’s even less often when you get to see it on a beach.

As part of their “Winter Carnival”, Newport Rhode Island held a polo match sponsored by the Newport International Polo Series.

Even if you don’t know the rules of the game (I don’t), it is still fun to watch the horses and players. There was also an announcer who did the play by play and explained some of the rules during the game.

While there are some rules of the game I don’t know, the basic goal (no pun intended) is pretty basic. Put the ball between the two orange cones. The team in gold won 10-9 by the way.

The horses looked especially pretty with the wavy water along the beach. Onee thing I noticed about the horses is how they will sometimes use their legs to kick the ball and help the player. Or, they are sick of the player getting all the glory and they may want to score a goal or two.

The players all seemed to really have a lot of fun but they also play hard. And the game is not without risks. One player had to be carted away with a leg injury after she fell off her horse.

Dogs like polo, too. I was surprised and impressed how well the leashed dogs and horses coexisted.

The players and fans have a close connection. At the end of the match, the players trot by on their horses and greet the fans.

12 Comments | tags: beach, beach polo, dogs, horses, New England, Newport, photographs, Photography, photos, polo, Rhode Island | posted in beach, beach polo, dogs, horses, New England, Newport, photographs, photography, photos, Rhode Island, Uncategorized

February 26, 2017

TICA Cat Show (Crowne Point Plaza, Natick, MA)

By New England Nomad

Dates Of Event: February 18, 2017 – February 19

Location: Crowne Point Plaza, 1360 Worcester St, Natick, MA, 01760 (about an hour west of Boston)

Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

Parking: Ample free parking is available in the parking lot of the Crowne Point Plaza hotel

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

Highlights: cats of a variety of breeds being judged

Talent and obedience shows aren’t just for dogs.

Yes, cats can pose, follow orders (ok they’re more like requests with cats) and be just as cute as dogs if given the chance. And did they ever get the chance.

The TICA (The International Cat Association) held it’s annual cat show for a wide variety of cats to show off their talents and beauty. The cramped venue had 6 different stages, more like booths, for these felines to show off their stuff.

The cats were grouped by kittens, household cats, alters (cats that have been neutered or spayed; “altered”), kittens and, of course, championship for the lucky few who get to advance. I was warmly surprised to see the “household cats” category.

While there were so many cats being shown, I was unable to get all of the cats names, breeds and ages. Since I am a detail-oriented person and I love giving as much as information as possible I was a little disappointed by this. I do hope you don’t mind too much.

I did manage to get the name and breed of this cat. She stood out to me because of her unique fur and markings.

Julia is an 8 month old Selkirk Rex.

The cats were showcased by the judges. It was interesting to see how each judge had their own personality and methods of showing off the cats. Some spoke scarcely and were efficient. Others spent more time with the cat, explaining their breed and sharing other fun facts. The woman in the first photo I posted was my favorite judge.

It’s also interesting watching how the cats react to being judged. Some are pretty chill and don’t seem to mind at all, possibly because they are very used to being judged. Others…not as much. However, they were all very compliant and well adjusted, even if you can tell it’s not their favorite activity. It’s also funny to see how easily they can be distracted by shiny objects and feathers.

The cats were judged on Breed, Color and Division and win ribbons with letters corresponding with the first letter in each category (B for Breed, C for Color and D for Divison). The Breed (B) ribbon is the most sought after ribbon.

Cats move around a lot. A lot. Sometimes it’s easier to get their photos while they are being held or when they are in their cages or crates.

Also, as an aside, the hotel where the show was held, the Crowne Point Plaza hotel, is a very cool hotel, at least the function rooms, bar and lobby seem hip. I would highly recommend it, even if it just to go tot eh bar for a few drinks and dinner after work or during your vacation and leisure time, if you happen too be in the area.

I still think this cat tops them all. But, I’m biased. I do know the name, breed and age of this cat. Bailey is a 7 year old Long haired domesticate. Maybe I can enter her next year.

Below is a video of some of the cats at the show.

17 Comments | tags: cats, family friendly, Massachusetts, Natick, New England, photographs, Photography, photos | posted in cats, family friendly, Massachusetts, Natick, New England, photographs, photography, photos, TICA, Uncategorized

February 17, 2017

Greenfield Arctic Blast Winterfest (Greenfield, MA)

By New England Nomad

Dates Of Event: February 3-5, 2017 (the first weekend in February each year) photos taken February 5

Location(s): All over the town of Greenfield, most events held at Beacon Field, 61 Beacon St, Greenfield, MA)

Cost: Free (there are small fees for some activites such as $5 to skate at the public outdoor ice rink)

Hours: 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Parking: limited parking can be found at the parking lot for Beacon Field. Street parking is also available

Highlights: carnivsl hockey, sleigh rides, sled making contest, k9 keg pull, ice sculptures, family friendly activities (see web site below for more info)

Web Site: Greenfield Artic Blast Winterfest

It’s that timee of the year again. You know that time in between the “fun” part of winter and the coming spring. The holidays have passed, the seemingly never-ending chill is still fast upon us, snow has stopped looking “pretty” and everyone is just eager to be able to go outside without layering so much that they look like the Michelin man. So, to bring a little cheer to the frustrated masses, many cities and towns have organized “winterfests” or “winter carnivals” to get everyone out of their ruts and bring some cheer to the frozen masses.

Winterfests are not some new fangled celebrations. In fact, this was Greenfield’s 95th winterfest. I guess people got the doldrums back then, too.

The three day event (the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday in February) is a family friendly extravaganza. Besides what I photographed dueing my visit Sunday, there are a bonfire, fireworks and a “family fun fest” event for kids to play and do a variety of events with other children and their parents.

The first thing I noticed, and I was looking for specifically, was the winter carnival hockey game between the Greenfield Sheriff’s Department and the Franklin County Firefighters. The shortened rink and lack of goalies (they used boxes with holes in them to try to score goals), allowed for more action and more scoring chances.

There wasn’t much checking and not one fight (perhaps a first in a game between firefighters and police). But, it was still entertaining. I didn’t get a final score. But, the Sheriff’s department (in the green jerseys) had a comfortable lead when I left to check out more of the winterfest.

In between breaks, some kids came out and practiced. Future players for sure.

Most of the events during my visit took place at Beacon Field. In some of the photos, you may notice the Poet’s Seat Tower which I posted about in May of last year.

The first thing I noticed was the sleigh rides being provided.

Some children took advantage of the hill at the park to do some sledding.

Some of the children brought their home made sleds to the park for a contest. The sleds were judged but they didn’t take them on the hill perhaps due to the lack of a good snow covering.

The big event for most of us, though, was the K9 Keg Pull. Dogs from a variety of breeds, sozes, shapes and physical prowess participated. The size of the (empty) kegs and cans the dogs pulled were commensurate to their size. There was a small registration fee ($25 I think) and all of the proceeds went to a animal shelter.

There were over 60 participants and they all did great. The parents or guardians would usually run with their dog ot urge them on from the finish line. Sometimees it seemed like the parents were having more fun with it than the dogs!

Bodie and Clarence (left to right) were twoo of the bigger competitors.

Not all of the dogs there were participating in the keg pulls

Sadie is a 2 year old Lab mix.

Duncan is a 14 week old mini-poodle.

There were also ice sculptures scattered around the town. Of course, most of them had been damaged or destroyed by revelers. I was able to photograph a couple of them.