Winter festival in South Hadley on Saturday
The annual South Hadley Winter Festival will be held Saturday at South Hadley High School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering events for participants of all ages — food, music, a movie, activities and games.
The event is free and open to the public.
Adam Roberts, director of the South Hadley Youth Commission, and coordinator Karen Geraghty organized this year’s festival.
“The event is a real grassroots effort, organized in large part by teachers at the high school, and I would like to especially recognize their efforts,” Roberts said. “Proceeds will be split between the South Hadley Neighbors Helping Neighbors food pantry and a new ‘clothing closet’ at South Hadley High School.”
Entertainment will include SH Improv, the high school’s improvisational theater group, at 10 a.m.; vocalist Kyle Ray at 11 a.m.; acoustic classic rock from Leather and Lace at noon; more classic rock from Moose and the High Tops at 1 p.m.; and the Mount Holyoke Victory Eights, the nation’s oldest female a cappella group, which will perform at intervals throughout the day.
Basketball games for players 12 and under get under way at 10 a.m. A Can Jam tournament is set for 11 a.m. Tanya Gets You Fit will offer a fitness boot camp and Zumba class from noon to 2 p.m. There will also be snowman building and other outdoor activities.
Samples of food will be available for $3 to $5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, provided by Olde Town Caterers, Yarde House Tavern, Brunelle’s Dockside, Johnny’s Bar and Grille, Berkshire Yogurt and McCray’s Farm.
Also included are a children’s story time sponsored by the South Hadley Public Library, games for children inside and outside the gym, cookie decorating and face painting.
Members of the South Hadley Police Department will participate, along with members of the South Hadley Youth Commission, the Leos Club, the South Hadley Falls Neighborhood Association and the South Hadley Historical Society.
Volunteers are needed to staff the Neighborhood Association table for the following shifts: 9:40 a.m. to noon; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and noon to 2:20 p.m. Email Roberts at aroberts@southhadleyma.gov to volunteer.
The Winter Carnival was started three years ago to celebrate the South Hadley community. It is back after a one-year hiatus. For more information about the carnival email WinterCarnivalSH@gmail.com, call 427-7228 or go to the carnival website.
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Choral music concert
The Memorial Day Planning Committee will hold a fundraising concert Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at South Hadley High School.
The evening of choral music will feature the Pioneer Valley Chordsmen, the high school’s Vocal Roar, Mount Holyoke College’s Sherya and The Nice Shoes, and Amherst College’s DQ.
Tickets are $10 and available at the Odyssey Bookshop in the Village Commons.
Proceeds from the concert will be used to expand South Hadley’s Memorial Day observances.
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Chamber meeting set
The South Hadley and Granby Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual meeting Tuesday at Johnny’s Tap Room from 5 to 7 p.m. Officers and directors will be elected and the new chamber website will be displayed.
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Anti-bullying program
A public presentation on the Mount Holyoke College and South Hadley Leadership and Inclusion Initiative will be held at the college’s Willits-Hallowell Center March 7 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The program, which is open to the public, is a combined effort of the college, Michael E. Smith Middle School and The Discovery Center of Farmington, Conn. Organizers say the bullying-prevention program will show how South Hadley middle-school students are taught to accept, respect and work with others regardless of background.
To register to attend, contact Yolanda Aponte at yaponte@mtholyoke.edu.
Etta Walsh can be reached at ewalsh.gazette@gmail.com.
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