The 31st annual Green River Festival has come and gone, marking another successful run and cementing its reputation as a must-see event.
When the festival began 31 years ago, WRSI radio used its own anniversary to bring three acts, including NRBQ, to the Greenfield Community College campus. That event happened a week after a hot-air balloon festival.
Over the years, the festival has grown in popularity, and evolved into a three-day event that has welcomed some pretty big names to its stages. There are also plenty of upstart acts and old favorites — and the hot-air balloons — playing to increasingly large crowds.
This year, more than 30 acts performed, and more than 60 vendors sold their wares and gave people a reason to get out of the sun for a few minutes.
Northampton-based Signature Sounds, which has taken over organizing and running the festival, went more local with its choice of bands this year, and festival-goers said the music was great, as usual.
It’s all about the music at the Green River Festival. This year, dozens of bands and performers took to a variety of stages, including a new one — the Next Wave Stage, what a great idea — where five rising young bands performed the first night. As a bonus, all attendees 18 years old and younger got in for free that night.
You couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful weekend, though the first night was on the soggy side. Then again, neither rain nor blistering heat has ever seemed to deter attendees who wait all year for this event.
Bands, new and returning, played to packed crowds all weekend. Flora Reed, public relations person for the festival, said 3,000 people attended July 14 and more than 5,000 were in attendance on July 15. She said Signature Sounds estimated that there were about as many on July 16.
Last year, the festival added camping on the Franklin County Fairgrounds. That returned this year and again appeared to be a popular option.
And, let’s not forget the hot air balloons. This year, like those in the past, they provided a spectacle. Balloons launched day and night, and offered tethered rides to many in attendance.
There’s no doubt we have a strong, music-loving community here in the Pioneer Valley, and that is confirmed each and every July when the Green River Festival is held. Summer in the Valley is always a joy — there’s so much to do — but this is the weekend so many look forward to, a summer marker.
It gives music lovers a chance to hear their favorite bands, and also allows them to think outside the box and find new favorites. The Green River Festival is definitely on the map of favorite summertime music festivals — over the years, people have traveled from other states and countries to attend.
The festival has a long, rich history in the Pioneer Valley, and we hope that it has an even longer future.
We can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year.