HOLYOKE — The Robert E. Barrett Fishway at the Holyoke Dam opens for its annual viewing season on Wednesday, with special Mother’s Day activities on Sunday. Admission is free.
The Barrett Fishway, owned and operated by Holyoke Gas & Electric (HG&E), consists of two elevators or “lifts” which carry migrating fish up and over the Holyoke Dam. Visitors can watch the lifts in action from an observation deck overlooking the Connecticut River.
The fishway is open for self-guided tours during regular business hours. In addition, HG&E will provide a guided tour each Saturday and Sunday throughout the season at 1:30 p.m. This tour is free and open to the public.
Additionally, The Barrett Fishway offers free educational programs for schools. Reservations for school groups are required, please visit hged.com/tour for details.
Continuing a decade-old tradition, all mothers visiting the Fishway on Sunday, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., will receive a free carnation to commemorate Mother’s Day and the spirit of rebirth on the Connecticut River.
In addition, the 58th Annual HG&E Shad Derby will be held on May 10-11, and May 17-18, with a grand prize of $1,000 in cash for the first-place winner in the senior division (www.hged.com/shadderby).
Located off Bridge Street (Route 116) in Holyoke, just west of the South Hadley-Holyoke Bridge, the Holyoke Fishway’s 2025 season runs from May 7-June 15, Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The facility is closed on Monday and Tuesday, with the exception of Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day) from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
For further information on the Barrett Fishway, visit hged.com/fishway or call 413-536-9460.
NORTHAMPTON — The 28th annual Northampton Education Foundation Plant & Garden Market will take place this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the front lawn of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, 80 Locust St.
On sale will be perennials, annuals, shrubs, vegetable starts, herbs and hanging baskets, as well as raffles for a local handmade quilt and a bench and trellis made by Smith Vocational carpentry shop students. The Smith Vocational PTO and Vikings softball team will be selling coffee and baked goods alongside the NEF fundraiser.
The plant sale raises money for books and online resources for the Northampton Public Schools and Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School. Schools use their allotted money to diversify their curriculum offerings, add high-interest stories to libraries, strengthen the nonfiction resources in libraries, provide additional books when enrollment increases, and add supplemental texts to enrich students’ learning experiences and to assist those with special needs.
Have healthy, labeled, potted plants to share? Drop them off by Wednesday at one of the following collection sites: 373 N. Farms Road, 36 Wilson Ave., 31 Forbes Ave. They can also be brought to Smith Vocational on Friday from 4-7 p.m.
HOLYOKE — The Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts will hold an informational meeting about the vision and progress of remaking the Victory Theatre on Wednesday, May 14, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Holyoke Public Library’s Community Room.
MIFA aims to transform the Victory Theatre into a performing arts center for the region. The Victory, a 1,600-seat theater that opened in 1920, is the only Broadway-sized venue in the region. Located in downtown Holyoke, the future state-of-the-art theater will amplify Holyoke as an arts and cultural destination.
Planned year-round performances featuring a mix of top Broadway productions, international touring companies, exciting regional events, and educational partnerships boosting economic growth, tourism, and arts accessibility.