CUMMINGTON — The Massachusetts Renaissance Faire returns to the Cummington Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3-4. Feel the thunder of horses’ hooves as brave knights compete in the joust, watch incredible performances on our many stages, and experience the timeless wonder of the faire with your entire family.
Family-friendly entertainment, shopping, fairies and fun will occur during the day on both days. Then on Saturday night, there will be an adults-only “Market After Dark” starting at 7 p.m. for risque shows, bawdy humor, and our highly entertaining “Kilt and Cleavage Contest.”
Performers this year include the Joust by Debracey Productions, Seraphin Fire Dancer, Captain Dante’s Fight Show, belly dance by Boom Boom Shake, circus performances by Jovial Joey, & more.
On Sunday, Aug. 4, the faire will host a pet day. All well-behaved pets are welcome to attend, though keep in mind when deciding whether to participate that the faire gets hot.
Costumes are encouraged, but many guests wear their normal clothes.
An early-bird online discount is available until July 31. A one-day pass is $24 for adults and $12 for youth ages 7-17. A two-day pass, available online only, is $41 for adults, $21 for youth. Youth ages 6 and younger are free both days.
Tickets at the gate, which is cash only, are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, students and veterans (ID required), $15 for youth (ages 7-17) and free for 6 and under. Senior, student and veteran passes are only available at the gate.
For more information, visit MassRenFaire.com or contact info@massrenfaire.com
SOUTH HADLEY — Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School will hold a supplemental lottery on Wednesday, July 31, to fill openings in grades 7 and 9 for the 2024-2025 school year.
The application deadline is Tuesday, July 30, at 11:59 p.m. Applications are available in English and Spanish on the PVPA website pvpa.org/admissions. PVPA offers over 70 arts classes as a core part of its college preparatory curriculum. Students with a strong interest in the arts are encouraged to apply.
Enrollment in PVPA is free and open to all Massachusetts students in grades 7-12 on a space available basis; no audition is required. Priority is given to students from Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire counties, as well as Brookfield, Petersham and Sturbridge. Application is open to students in grades 7-11. The July 31 lottery will be for grades 7 & 9 only, and applications for grades 8, 10, and 11 will be held until the current waitlists for those grades have been exhausted.
The lottery is open to the public, and will take place at 11 a.m. on July 31. The public is welcome to attend via a Google Meet link posted on PVPA’s website at pvpa.org/admissions. Grade 7 & 9 applicants will be notified of their lottery results by Aug. 2.
AMHERST — Knitters and those who crochet are invited to attend a nine-week series of meetings at the Jones Library in July and August to knit (or crochet) for a cause. Meet in the Amherst Room on Monday mornings through Aug. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon for the return of this popular knitting program.
In these sessions, attendees will knit/crochet hats for babies and children who are in need. These items will be distributed through a variety of organizations. Patterns and yarn will be available, or bring your own yarn (machine wash and dry only). Please bring your own needles/hooks. Hats in sizes preemie through adult are welcomed. The group will be facilitated by Pam Ledoux.
Finished hats can be brought to the sessions each week, or dropped off at the reference desk at other times through Aug. 26.
Free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Janet Ryan at 413-259-3223.