On the third Saturday of September, Shutesbury residents gather on the Town Common to celebrate their community. It’s an annual tradition for the hamlet of fewer than 2,000 folks.
Jessica Carlson-Belanger, this year’s event organizer, said it’s a nice way to get people together and to celebrate the town.
The sunny day, Sept. 17, featured a variety of activities for families, from kids’ games, to pumpkin painting, to hula-hooping on the lawn. There was also a tea party at the Shutesbury Community Church, hosted by Linda Hanscom, a church trustee.
Inside, friends Maureen McGrath of Hadley and Alice Campbell of Pelham, both wearing colorful hats, sipped tea and ate bite-sized desserts.
“This has been the most popular thing every year,” Hanscom said. ”It’s a nice way to break away from the Common.”
Also enjoying the tea party were Zinnia Stetz, 6, with her best friend, Kaleigh Beckemeyer, 8, who sat with their sisters Kazmira Stetz, 3, and Lillian Beckemeyer, 6, all of Shutesbury.
“My favorite part is the tea party and hanging with my bestie,” Zinnia said.