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Clockwise from top left: Boston Bluegrass annual
Joe Val Festival;
North Adams Fall Foliage Parade; Pilgrim girl at
Plimoth Plantation, credit Don Teague; Central Massachusetts;
American Textile History Museum in Lowell
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Massachusetts
is rich in arts & culture, so it's no surprise that exciting
events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 16 regions all
year long. Find out more!
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September
in Massachusetts has a distinctly collegiate feel to it as 400,000+
college students return to campuses across the state. They are part
of our prized education industry, but we also think of them as
tourists. They represent all 50 states, and indeed, dozens of
counties around the world. Their families stay at hotels and eat in
restaurants. They visit our historical and cultural sites,
spend money and have fun. They bring youthful energy and
economic vitality to cities and towns across Massachusetts, and we
are happy to welcome them back! Visit massvacation.com/explore/colleges/.
Plan
your next getaway to Massachusetts!
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Featured
Region: North of Boston
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River
Ruckus. Photo ©TeamHaverhill
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Summer
may be ending, but the fun is just beginning this September in the
North of Boston region! Step back into the past at the Bread and Roses Heritage Festival
(September 7). The biggest Labor Day celebration in the region, the
Festival celebrates the cultural diversity and labor history of
Lawrence, MA. Then, unleash your spicy side at the Salem Spice Festival (September
12-13) as you celebrate the city's tasty history and learn how exotic
spices were coveted and used. Indulge your taste buds again with Savor
Newburyport (September 17-26), a 10-day celebration
dedicated to the food, culture, and shopping of the charming seaside
city. Finally, work off those culinary treats with a day of family
fun at Team Haverhill's River Ruckus (September
26). Enjoy the Classic Car Show, boat rides, Rubber Duck
Regatta, fireworks display and more!
Find more information on North
of Boston.
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Minstrels, handsome
knights, fire-eating entertainers, wacky wenches, frolicking faeries,
talented dancers and artisans, and exotic tigers. This is just a
sampling of what you will experience at King Richard's Faire in Carver,
a place where visitors can travel back in time and escape reality on
more than eighty acres of enchanted woods! Artisans from around the
globe will be there to share beautiful handspun pottery, jewelry,
clothing, leather, scented oils perfumes, armor, and moccasins Learn
more by visiting seeplymouth.com/events/king-richards-faire.
Find more information on Plymouth
County.
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Southeastern
Massachusetts
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The Working Waterfront Festival
takes place on September 26-27 in New Bedford! Experience the
workings of the industry which brings seafood from the ocean to your
plate. Walk the decks of a scalloper, dine on fresh seafood, see
fishermen's contests, and watch cooking demonstrations. Also enjoy
music, dance, tours of workboats, documentary films, children's
activities, U.S. Coast Guard demos, whaleboat races and more.
Admission is free! Find more information on Southeastern
Massachusetts.
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FreshGrass
Festival returns to MASS MoCA on September 18-20 for
three days of bluegrass and roots music on four stages! FreshGrass
showcases some of the hottest acts in bluegrass today, including
Dwight Yoakam, Punch Brothers, Leftover Salmon, GreenskyBluegrass,
and more. Join us for outdoor concerts, salutes to emerging talent,
late-night parties, urban camping, workshops, jam sessions,
instrument demos, free admission to MASS MoCA's galleries, local
Berkshire food, and some serious fun. Find more information on The
Berkshires.
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The
Arts
League of Lowell presents its Fall Members' Show. This
eclectic array of recent work by ALL's talented painters, craftsmen,
sculptors, and photographers runs through October 4th, 2015. A BBQ reception will be held
September 19th from 4 to 6 p.m. In addition to ongoing exhibitions,
ALL offers numerous classes throughout the year,
including painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery, photography,
creative writing and more. Find more information on Greater Merrimack Valley.
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Come
by Harding Street in Worcester's Canal District on Saturday,
September 12th to experience the Blackstone
Canal Fest, a classic street festival complete with
music, entertainment, vendors, food, kids' activities,
horse-and-wagon rides, kayak rides, and more! At the center of the
festival will be an actual, re-created segment of the canal, 75 feet
long filled with over 4,500 gallons of water. The Worcester
Pride Parade takes place on the same day and will be
on Water Street. Find more information on Central
Massachusetts.
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The
2nd
Great River Challenge Off-Road Triathlon will be held
Sunday, October 4th from the Northfield Mountain Recreation Center,
Route 63 in Northfield. The Triathlon consists of a 4-mile Trail Run,
a 5-mile Kayak, Canoe or SUP, and a 7-mile Mountain Bike. Challenge
yourself as a solo competitor or as a 2, 3, or 4 person relay team!
Takes place on the beautiful Connecticut River and nearby hills.
Registration on Saturday 3-5 p.m., Sunday 7-9 a.m. Race start at 9:30
a.m. Register at greatriverchallenge.com!
Find more information on Franklin
County.
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Theatre marquees
light up in September for The
Book of Mormon, A
Little Night Music, Broadway-bound Waitress, My Fair Lady and
Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.
Festivals include
Cambridge Carnival, Local Food, the return of Boston Calling
and the BeanTown
Jazz Fest. ArtWeek
promises 10 days of fun creative experiences for all ages. Diana Ross
and Josh Groban perform at the Wang
and Let's
Dance Boston debuts on the Greenway for
5 consecutive nights of free outdoor dance and music parties-
including lessons. In between dances, catch a last look at As If It Were Already Here
floating above the park. Find more information on Greater
Boston.
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The
Truro Agricultural Fair on
September 6th celebrates agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and
farming! Offering a delicious variety of locally harvested foods from
land and sea, the fair also includes live music, pony rides, craft
tables, a bake sale, fun contests and more. Eastham
Windmill Weekend is set for September
11-13, followed by the annual Scallop
Fest at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in Falmouth September
18-20. And mark your calendar for the annual Fall for the Arts Festival,
happening October 2-November 1 across the Cape and Islands! Find more
information on Cape
Cod.
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They
are back! The
Big E kicks off September 18th and is fun for the
entire family. You can see a circus, a Mardi Gras Parade, the Avenue
of the States, animals, crafts, food and more at the Eastern States
Exposition in West Springfield until October 4th. Another favorite,
the 43rd Annual Mattoon
Street Arts Festival, September 12-13 on Mattoon St.
in downtown Springfield. For more information on these events and
more visit valleyvisitor.com.
Find more information on Greater
Springfield.
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Northampton
Jazz Fest,
by Robert E. Davis,
New Dawn Photos
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If
you find yourself in western Massachusetts in early September, you
might find that it's still pretty hot - jazz hot, that is! The Northampton
Jazz Festival begins Tuesday, September 8th with daily
events leading up to the main event Saturday, September 12th. These
events include downtown "jazz struts" in Amherst,
Easthampton & Northampton, and a special artist at the weekly Northampton
Jazz Workshop. The much anticipated Northampton Restaurant Week runs
the following week September 14-20. Find more information on Hampshire
County.
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Do
tunes played on a fiddle get your toes tapping? Or would you rather
listen to classical music played on a piano built during the
composer's lifetime? All this - and more - is on tap in Johnny
Appleseed Country this month. Hear fiddlers compete at the Appleseed
Country Fair on Labor Day weekend. Enjoy the sounds of
Reggae Day at Wachusett
Mountain's MusicFest. Or head to Ashburnham for the
fall season of Historical Piano Concerts.
There's music to soothe every soul in Johnny Appleseed Country! Find
more information on Johnny
Appleseed Country.
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The
Martha's
Vineyard Ukulele Festival will be held Saturday,
September 19th at Featherstone Center for the Arts in Oak Bluffs!
Catch featured artists Faith Ako, Jim & Liz Beloff, Ken Middleton
and Steve McNie and local leaders Andy Herr, Ilka List and Jonah
Maidoff. Other highlights include workshops, a vendor area, a Uke
Jam, Luau Dinner (East Coast style) and a concert. Check out the
workshops and register early at mvukefest.com!
Find more information on Martha's
Vineyard.
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Celebrate
the 17th Annual North
Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival September 26-28 from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Forster's Farm in Orange! Support the
bounty of over 100 booths featuring regional artists, farmers, and
community organizations. Also enjoy live music, dancing, exhibitor
demos, kids' activities, the famous raw garlic-eating contest and
celebrated chef demos. Fill your belly with glorious, farm fresh and
savory cuisine as you relax in the food courts overlooking the
festivities! Find more information on the Mohawk
Trail Region.
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MetroFest 2015, the region's
arts, music, and food truck festival, returns to Bowditch Field in
Framingham on September 26th with two dozen food trucks; beer-and
wine-tasting; 100 crafters, cultural & community groups and other
exhibitors; Main Stage performers; a crowd-creation mural-painting
project; and free kids activities, including gaming for tweens and
teens and the American Girl Red Carpet. Free parking and shuttles at
this family-friendly, affordable annual festival! Find more
information on MetroWest.
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Labor
Day marks the beginning of the "shoulder season" for this
beautiful island 26 miles out to sea. September on Nantucket is ideal, the crowds
have dwindled, the weather is sublime and there is ample space to
spread out on the beach after enjoying nearly perfect water
temperatures. Take in a nature walk or whale watching cruise by day
and enjoy all of our local evening offerings. Celebrate the Artists Association's 70th Anniversary
September 4-7! Find more information on Nantucket
Island.
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