ASHFIELD — The Ashfield Fall Festival is an annual ritual in this town of 1,800 residents, and for hundreds more that come for the two-day celebration.
The entire town center becomes one big moveable feast of food, music and special events from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine.
At least 50 of the region’s top artists and craftspeople bring their wares for exhibit in the Town Hall or in tents along the Town Common. Favorite foods include apple pies made with Ashfield apples, fried dough drizzled with local maple cream, cider doughnuts from the local Boy Scout troop, hot applesauce sundaes, lunch fare at the fire station, blueberry cobbler and Cajun crawfish pasta.
The annual Belding Memorial Library book sale is also a big attraction.
Pumpkin games at noon are among Saturday’s traditions. They may include pumpkin tosses, relay races, bowling and other competitions. The festival also includes giant pumpkin and tallest sunflower contests.
Musical entertainment on the common begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with the Mohawk Trail Regional High School Select Chorus and ends around 4:30 with Morris dancing. In between is the musical trio Felixis Jinx, the Ashfield Community Band and Paper City Exile.
On Sunday, antique cars will be parked along the common and “Spirit of the Heart” martial arts and wellness demonstration starts off the day’s performances. Lui Collins, Seven Mile Line, West County Jazz, Zoe Darrow and Friend, Tess Burdick and Parlicium will also perform.
According to festival Chairwoman Sandra Lilly, the festival is in its 48th year.
The festival is free, but bring money for food, arts, books and tag sales. Proceeds benefit the Ashfield Citizens’ Scholarship Fund.