3rd annual Fiestas Patronales de Holyoke Festival coming up

HOLYOKE — Nueva Esperanza Inc. will present the third annual four-day Fiestas Patronales de Holyoke Event on Aug. 1-4.

The festival committee, composed of business owners, community leaders, and with the support of the city, has dedicated this year’s festivities to the town of Salinas, Puerto Rico, and its Mayor Karilyn Bonilla. Holyoke. A significant population of Holyoke residents come from Salinas.

The committee will bring top-tier artists in different genres in music including salsa, bachata, merengue, freestyle, and Christian music. With over 15 food vendors and numerous miscellaneous vendors, attendees can enjoy a array of souvenirs, art, customized T-shirts and more. For the first time ever, the festival will feature mechanical bull riding.

Michael’s Limo will provide complimentary transportation to festivalgoers from the MGM Casino Springfield parking lot directly to the festivities in Holyoke.

Middlefield Fair on tap for Aug. 9-11

MIDDLEFIELD — The Highland Agricultural Society is preparing for its 2024 Middlefield Fair on Aug. 9-11 at the Middlefield Fairgrounds, 7 Bell Road.

The Middlefield Fair preserves many of the traditions of the oldtime country fairs, featuring an exhibitors’ hall full of entries from local hilltown residents in categories such as baking, canning, vegetables, quilting, needle work, photography and so much more.

On Friday evening, the noise level goes up in this typically quiet hilltown community as the Ken Boisseau Memorial Diesel Truck Pulls are featured in the mechanical pull track.

On Saturday, the gas powered trucks have their turn on the track. Also on schedule for Saturday are the oxen pulls which are located across the fairgrounds in the animal draw ring. Other activities and events include a State Police K-9 Demo (based on availability), a kids zone full of children’s activities, Balloon Ben from 12-5 p.m., free face painting from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and the Middlefield Fair Car, Truck and Tractor Show at 11 a.m. Our featured performer is Above the Tree Line starting at 5 p.m.

On Sunday, the garden tractors are on the mechanical pull track and the horses are in the animal draw ring. A Cattle Show begins at 10:30 a.m. And live entertainment will include a performance of skilled fiddlers from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. An Apple Pie Contest will be judged at 1 p.m., followed by featured entertainment, Charlie Lask’s Neil Diamond Tribute at 2 p.m.

The fair hours are Friday, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Hibernians to host summer picnic

HOLYOKE — The Hibernians of Hampden/Hampshire Counties invites the public to attend its annual traditional summer picnic featuring Jim O’Connor and the Boston Irish-American Blackthorne Band at Hamel’s Summit View Pavilion, 555 Northampton St., Holyoke, on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 1-5 p.m.

Tickets are $35 per person for adults and children ages 16 and up; kids ages 5-10 pay $10; and kids ages 5-16 pay $15.

For reservations by Tuesday Aug. 20 call Joe O’Connor at 413-627-7148, or Fran Hennessey at 413-785-5687.

The Maurice A. Donahue Memorial Scholarship will be presented to Kayla Williams of Chicopee.

There will be Irish-American music, dancing, food, a cash bar, kids’ games and a raffle.