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Greetings!
Massachusetts is rich in arts and culture, so it's no surprise that exciting events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 13 regions all year long. Find out more below and visit us now!
CULTURAL CYCLES
 September’s crisp sunny days are just the ticket for pedal-powered cultural safaris.
Revolutionary History: Lexington Green and Concord’s North Bridge, where the “the shot heard ‘round the world” was fired. The Ride: Minuteman Bikeway, 11 miles, Cambridge to Bedford.
Contemporary Art: The dramatic Sol LeWitt wall drawings at MASS MoCA. The Ride: Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, 11.5 miles, Adams to Lanesborough.
Arts & Crafts: Van Goghs, Renoirs, and Picassos at the Smith College Museum of Art in Northampton plus NoHo’s contemporary crafts galleries. The Ride: Norwottuck Rail Trail, 10 miles, Northampton to Belchertown.
Click here for statewide travel information.
IN THIS EDITION:
FEATURED REGION: THE BERKSHIRES | CAPE COD | MOHAWK TRAIL REGION | GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY | NORTH OF BOSTON | MARTHA'S VINEYARD | GREATER SPRINGFIELD | PLYMOUTH COUNTY| NANTUCKET ISLAND |
CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS | FRANKLIN COUNTY| GREATER BOSTON |
SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
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 FEATURED REGION: THE BERKSHIRES
Just 2-1/2 hours from Boston and New York City, the Berkshires of western Massachusetts is located in a supple valley surrounded by mountains on the foothills of the Appalachian Trail. As a result, there are numerous outdoor recreational activities for all ages, many of which are free. Yet it is the Berkshires' cultural amenities that distinguish it from other quaint New England destinations.
The Berkshires boasts over 100 cultural arts attractions, many of which are world-renowned. Celebrate Labor Day weekend here and discover one of those cultural gems – the Tanglewood Jazz Festival on September 4-6, 2009. This year's festival, held at the summer home of the Boston symphony, includes Kurt Elling, Paquito d'Rivera, John Pizzarelli, Regina Carter, Nnenna Freelon, Kenny Barron, Mulgrew Miller, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Jon Faddis, Sean Jones, Wallace Roney and the Dave Holland Octet. Check Facebook for regular updates. Tickets online at tanglewoodjazzfestival.org, or at SymphonyCharge, 888-266-1200.
Click here to plan your stay!
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 MOHAWK TRAIL REGION
Historic Deerfield hosts “The Seed of Seeds—The Story of Corn and its Many Uses” on September 12–13, 19–20 and 26–27 from noon to 4 p.m. Learn about the history of corn in Native America, and how European colonists incorporated corn into their lives. Find out what makes popcorn pop, try your hand at grinding corn and make your own corn husk figure to take home! Included with general admission. Located at 80 Old Main Street in Deerfield.
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NORTH OF BOSTON
Leap into Fall North of Boston! Watch the fancy footwork of Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria September 11-13, 2009 at Cogswell’s Grant in Essex. Celebrate Marblehead’s Fall Festival September 26-27 with an artisan craft fair at Abbot Hall, street entertainers, pumpkin decorating, hayrides and a chowder and chili fest. Or, find your way through the Kimball Farm Corn Maze in Haverhill weekends from 10 a.m. until just before sunset. Enjoy pony rides, pumpkin launching, a petting zoo & more. For more autumn fun and culture, visit www.escapesnorth.com.
Click here to plan your stay!
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 MARTHA'S VINEYARD
The Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival will be held in downtown Vineyard Haven on September 10-13, 2009. Combining the laid back beach-style of the island with the buzz and excitement of a festival celebrating films from across the globe, the Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival is an amazing experience not to be missed. The four-day event has become a destination festival filled with the best feature and short films from top-notch festivals such as Sundance, Berlin and Cannes!
Click here to plan your stay!
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GREATER SPRINGFIELD
The 37th Annual Mattoon Street Arts Festival will be held September 12-13, 2009 on a quaint street of brick Victorian houses in Downtown Springfield. The Pioneer Valley’s oldest arts festival features 85 exhibitors, plus food and nonamplified musicians. Near I-91 & I-291. Free admission & parking, 10 am to 5 pm. For more information, visit www.MattoonFestival.org or call 413-736-0629.
Click here to plan your stay!
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PLYMOUTH COUNTY
For the first time, The Art Complex Museum in Duxbury hosts the New England Watercolor Society’s Annual Regional Show, whose home is at the Emmanuel Church on Newbury Street in Boston. This exhibition will run from September 20, 2009 through January 17, 2010, and be juried by Connecticut artist Frank Federico, who has attained signature membership level in a number of prestigious art societies and won national honors from the Pastel Society of America. There is no admission charge.
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NANTUCKET ISLAND
The 2009 Nantucket Arts Festival will be held Friday, August 28 through Monday, September 7, 2009. Presented by the Nantucket Arts Council, this 17th annual Festival celebrates the rich and exuberant arts scene on the island through music and dance, theater, exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, book signings, photography, video installations, films, and more. You can find the full schedule of events at www.nantucketartscouncil.org.
Click here to plan your stay!
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CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
Fairs, festivals and foliage make September a wonderful time to visit Central Massachusetts. There are multiple celebrations and events each weekend, including: the 50th Annual Brimfield Antiques Show on September 8-13, 2009; the 4th Annual Blackstone Canalfest on September 12th (call 508-755-2036); the 11th Annual Pet Rock Festival and the Wachusett Mountain MusicFest, both on September 13th; and stART on the Street 7th Annual Arts & Music Festival on September 20th, to name a few. For a complete listing of events, visit www.centralmass.org/calendar-events.
Click here to plan your stay!
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FRANKLIN COUNTY
John Putnam’s 7th Annual Fiddlers’ Reunion will be held from noon to dusk Saturday, August 29th at Greenfield Energy Park in Greenfield. Bring your fiddle, guitar, bass, banjo, harmonica, or wash tub bass and join the fun! Then, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce sponsors its fifth annual county-wide Fiber Twist September 26th at the Greenfield High School. The Fiber Twist features the many sheep and fiber farmers, spinners, dyers, weavers and other fiber artisans that are found throughout Franklin County.
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GREATER BOSTON
Cultural opportunities abound in Boston this September, including the annual Boston Arts Festival, a celebration of the rich array of the city's visual and performing arts, set for September 11-13, 2009 at the city's Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park. Highlights include an Artists' Village containing over 60 juried visual artists exhibiting and selling their works of art, along with live entertainment on two stages, family friendly interactive art projects and refreshments.
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SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS
On September 12-13, 2009, the Apple Peach Festival will be held on the Main Street of Acushnet. This celebrated tradition, with musical entertainment, brings thousands of visitors to town for delectable locally grown apples and peaches. Then, celebrate and learn about the commercial fishing industry at the Working Waterfront Festival in New Bedford on September 26-27. Enjoy tours of the harbor and fishing boats, demonstrations of fishing skills, music, storytelling, and platters of fresh, local seafood available for purchase.
Click here to plan your stay!
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