Weekend Winner: Paradise City Arts Festival
Dateline: 06/03/98
Before I even looked at the web site for the Paradise City Arts Festival, taking place this weekend in Northampton, Massachusetts, I had already picked this celebration of crafts, music, and gourmet food as my Weekend Winner. I was delighted to see that venerable Yankee Magazine, which said, "If you only get to one fair this season, make it the Paradise City Arts Festival," had similar thoughts!
The Paradise City Arts Festival is a showcase for the best work of both established and emerging craft designers, painters, and sculptors. The diversity among the 200 juried exhibitors ranges from wearable art to ceramics, from furniture to jewelry, and from delicate glass to metal sculpture.
The Northampton show, "Springtime in Paradise," which also features craft demonstrations, live music and a gourmet food fair, runs all weekend long at the Tri-County Fairgrounds. Northampton is less than one hour from Hartford, the Berkshires, and southern Vermont; less than two hours from Boston, Albany, and Southern Connecticut; and less than three hours from New York City. Directions are available online. Hours for the Festival are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6, and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 7.
But... the fun doesn't stop in the early evening. In addition to the Festival's fabulous festivities, which include a variety of gourmet dining in the festival dining tent, craft demonstrations by exhibitors, music, and children's activities, there is a full slate of evening entertainment scheduled. Downtown Northampton, which is a fun little town, will keep visitors to the area delightfully entertained into the evening with performances ranging from classical to gospel to blues to swing. Or, catch one of the live comedy shows at Myers Downtown Bar and Grill on Friday or Saturday night.
Want to tour the show before jumping in the car and heading for Northampton? A complete look at the artisans represented is available at the show site on the Web. Just click on the medium, (my favorites are the exquisite one-of-a-kind jewelry designs and the wearable art creations), and you'll be able to see samples of the fine handiwork that will be available at the show.
General admission to the show is $7. Senior admission is $5, and children's tickets are $2. Free parking is available at the Fairgrounds. For more information, call (413) 586-6324.
For further details, check the Show FAQ for information on dogs, multi-day passes, area accommodations, and more.
And... if you go... drop me a line and tell me about your favorite exhibitors!
Also this weekend...
The Taste of Hartford comes back to Constitution Plaza in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Sample the best entrees, sandwiches, desserts and more from dozens of area restaurants. The hottest local bands perform on two stages. There is a $1 cover charge. The event begins today, June 4, and runs through Sunday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (860) 522-6400.
The Lake Champlain Balloon and Craft Festival will be held June 5-7 at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds in Essex Junction, Vermont. This is New England's largest hot air balloon event! Hours are Friday - 2 to 10 p.m.; Saturday - 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday - 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call (802) 425-4884 for more information. And don't forget to bring the camera!
...Enjoy!!
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