ASHFIELD — When the weather gets colder and the leaves start to change color, visitors flock to the hill in the town center for the beloved Ashfield Fall Festival.
“We are excited to be back after two years of not having the festival,” said festival Chair Sandy Lilly.
The festival was canceled for the past two years due to COVID-19 concerns. While many other festivals were held, some of which in scaled-down forms, the Board of Health decided the risk of COVID-19 was too high and opted to not hold the festival, according to Katherine Oakes Mitchell, Ashfield Fall Festival public relations director.
This year’s festival will take place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival is famous for its creative children’s games. Kids are invited to build their own festival games and let attendees compete at their booths.
“It teaches children responsibility,” Lilly said.
The children have to take care of their booths, manage their finances and run their business for the weekend. When children outgrow their games, they sell them to younger children, continuing the tradition.
While many of the festivities remain the same year after year, the entertainment changes. This year, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Elizabeth McGowan will give a reading and book signing on Saturday at 4 p.m.
McGowan grew up in Ashfield and attended Mohawk Trail Regional School. Her new book chronicles the Pacific-to-Atlantic bicycle odyssey McGowan organized in 2000 as a fundraiser for cancer research.
Only Ashfield-based companies and residents are allowed to sell food at the event, with 22 food venders coming this year. Pies, grinders, snow cones and more will be available throughout the day.
While the festival has grown tremendously over the years, with regular visitors coming from across the Pioneer Valley and beyond, the festival had a humble beginning, Lilly said. Fifty-one years ago, two women with children graduating from Mohawk Trail Regional School wanted to create a scholarship fund for Ashfield students. They made a bake sale to start this effort, raising $300 their first year. The festival continues this fundraiser today in the parking lot.
A fan favorite for the festival is the Pumpkin Games. These games, which include everything from pumpkin bowling to musical pumpkins, begin at noon on Saturday and are “hysterical to watch,” according to Lilly.
“Anyone is welcome to come enjoy themselves without having to spend a penny,” Lilly said. “People love to sit on the hill and eat their lunch and watch the crowds.”
■11 a.m. — Marco Depaolis and Friends
■Noon — Pumpkin Games
■1 p.m. — Ashfield Community Band
■2:15 p.m. — Forest Avenue
■3:30 p.m. — Morris dancers
■4 p.m. — Reading and book signing with Elizabeth McGowan
■11 a.m. — Antique cars
■Noon — Lui Collins and Anand Nayak
■1:15 p.m. — Lucky Soul
■2:30 p.m. — The Boxcar Lilies with Jim Henry
For more information, visit ashfieldfallfestival.org.
Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.