DEERFIELD — This fall the term “tea party” won’t conjure up images of tall ships and midnight raids.
Instead, the term will evoke a more than 40-year-old tradition of browsing and buying artisan crafts on the grounds surrounding Memorial Hall Museum.
Named by Yankee Magazine as one of the best craft fairs in New England, the 41st annual Old Deerfield Fall Arts and Crafts Festival kicks off Sept. 17 and continues through the next day — this time with a twist and a new sponsor.
“The Tea Guys of Whately will host the biggest tea party colonial Deerfield has ever seen at the upcoming Deerfield Arts and Crafts Festival,” said Ella Colton, coordinator of the festival. “In Massachusetts, when you say ‘tea party’ one normally thinks ‘Boston tea party,’ but this fall we’re thinking ‘Deerfield tea party.’”
On both days of the weekend, a festive tent in the Memorial Hall Museum gardens will offer attendees free tea tastings.
The tea-tasting is in addition to the festival’s usual offerings of arts and crafts made by local artisans — such as woodworking, jewelry, apparel, pottery, glass-work, furniture, photo prints, paintings, and more.
Other sponsors such as Yankee Candle and Sungevity, will have booths, along with food vendors such as Bart’s Ice Cream and Holyoke Hummus Co.
Tim Neumann, executive director of Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association and founder of the fair, said the annual arts fair carries on a town tradition of artisan crafts that dates back at least 125 years.
“The Old Deerfield Arts and Crafts Festival carries on the earlier artistic and craft tradition of the village with both traditional and contemporary artisans,” he said, adding that this year there will be about 175 artisans, who will “create a vibrant marketplace.”
Proceeds go toward the PVMA museum.
Admission is $7 for adults on both days. For children from 6 to 12, entrance is $1 on Saturday and free on Sunday, which is family day.
The festival will open at 10 a.m. both days, and close at 5 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.
You can reach Andy Castillo
at: acastillo@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 263
On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo