New England is known for its delicious varieties of apples - and New England cider is one of my favorite ways to enjoy these magnificent fruits. This year’s Franklin County CiderDays might not have cider salons or workshops, but you can still enjoy the regions’ wonderful ciders by hopping in your car and visiting all the great spots on the CiderDays Cider Trail. The event has been extended through the end of the season this year, so you have more time to stop by every point on the trail. 

All of the venues on the trail can be found at ciderdays.org/venues. Most of them are found in Franklin County. However, a few are found in the surrounding areas, such as Berkshire Cider Project in North Adams. Opened in July of this year, Berkshire Cider Project is a new craft cidery focused on dry sparkling ciders, located in a beautiful former textile mill with adjacent café and distillery. They are open Fridays and Saturdays from 12 to 6 pm. Check out their website for special CiderDays events!

Hawley’s own Headwater Cider Company is also on the list of cideries participating in CiderDays. Headwater prides itself on doing every step of the cider-making process (growing, pressing, and bottling) all right there at the orchard. With over 2000 apple trees in the orchard at 1800 feet elevation, Headwater has a short but ideal growing season, with plenty of sunlight. This makes for perfect apples for hard cider with lots of flavor and natural sugars. Headwater is open on the weekends starting October 10 to November 8 from 10 am to 5 pm.  Check out their website for more information! (Photo right taken from Headwater Cider Company's Facebook Page.)

Did you know that the oldest running cider house is located right here in Shelburne, Massachusetts? West County Cider was started in 1984 by the Maloney family. Today, they continue to make small-batch ciders using local apples, working with the variety of flavors that come from each year’s distinct apple harvest. The community is welcome to their tap room and bottle shop, located on Peckville Road, and as well to wander along their hiking trails and picnic grounds with an incredible tri-state view.  For their open hours, directions, and to check out their different styles of cider, head to their website. (Photo left taken from West County Cider's Facebook Page.)

Find out who else is on the CiderDays Cider Trail, plus more information about the 2020 Franklin County CiderDays at ciderdays.org. 

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For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog.

Resident makers and artist tenants at The Mill at Shelburne Falls are hosting a Harvest Makers and Art Market on

Saturday, October 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The outdoor market features work in a multiple of mediums including oil and acrylic, fine woodworking, glass, pottery, textile arts, handwoven goods, weathervanes, metal [...]

In a normal year, the hilltowns would be gearing up for the Ashfield Fall Festival at this time. Unfortunately, for the first time since 1970, Ashfield has had to cancel the festivities due to [...]

The annual corn mazes are back in Franklin County, with new designs! Every September, people from around the region love to get lost in these fun creative mazes. This year will be a little different with covid regulations but will still be a fun experience for all.

Mike’s Maze at Warner Farm

Over the years, Mike’s Mazes have gained national attention for their creativity and intricacy. Every year is a different thematic experience, with games, activities, and amusements to pair alongside the design of that year’s maze. Mike’s Maze spans 8-acres with installations and trivia along the way. Located in Sunderland, Massachusetts, the idea for Mike’s Maze was born over 20 years ago at a Christmas party. Farmer Mike Wissemann and artist Will Sillin teamed up to create incredible corn art. In 2015, Mike’s son David Wissemann and his wife, Jess Marsh Wissemann, took over for Will, and have since created mazes that have gone viral, such as “Alice in Sunderland.” 

This year’s theme is “Vote 2020: The Stalks Have Never Been Higher.” They will be celebrating democracy with a variety of games and rides, including the voting game, pedal carts on the “Presidential Election Racetrack” and the “Election Landslides.” Mike’s Maze is open September 11-November 1 on Thursdays (starting in October), Fridays, Saturdays, and Columbus Day from 9 am to 5 pm. The rates of entry are $15 for adults, $12 for kids under 12, and kids aged 4 and under go free! 

For more information about the exciting events at Mike’s Maze, visit mikesmaze.com.

Hick’s Family Farm & Corn Maze in Charlemont

Hick’s Family Farm also hosts an annual corn maze which is a Franklin County Favorite. Their farm is conveniently located on the Mohawk Trail/Route 2 in Charlemont. The corn maze is open September 5 through October on weekends and holidays from 10 am to 5 pm. Entry is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under. Check out their haunted weekends in October starting October 10th and get ready for a scare! If you scare easily, you can enjoy a milder nighttime version of the maze with their Flashlight Fridays on September 18 and October 2. Go to their website for more information on the Hick’s Corn Maze at Hick’s Family Farm, www.hickscornmaze.com. 

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For more information about community happenings and real estate news visit Wanda's Blog at www.wandamooney.com/blog.

For 25 years, CiderDays has been a Franklin County staple event of all things apple. Every first weekend in November, events pop up all over the area to appreciate and learn more about ciders, cidermaking, and orchards. There are cider tastings, workshops, and tours, hosted by various orchards, cideries, and other cider professionals. This year, CiderDays will be held November 1-3. Some of the events are free; others require tickets purchased in advance, such as the Cider Salon. 

The Cider Salons will once again be held in the large tent in Unity Park, Turners Falls. Sponsored by the United States Association of Cider Makers, the Salons will feature over 130 ciders from a range of producers around North America and Europe. Buy your tickets in advance for either Round 1 or Round 2 and enjoy the opportunity to sample ciders from near and far.

Some events will be happening throughout the weekend and you can drop in anytime to check them out. Check out an art exhibit at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls, 25 Years of CiderDays, which will display historic cider presses and images honoring cider producers. While you’re in Turners Falls, you can also stop by the official Cider Days Bookstore at Two Birds on Avenue for books about orchards and cider and even some author signings. Several tasting rooms will have their doors open to the public throughout the weekend, including West County Cider in Shelburne, Bear Swamp Orchard and Cidery in Ashfield, Headwater Cider in Hawley, and more. 

See the full list of tastings and other events happening throughout the weekend here and find everything you need to know about CiderDays at CiderDays.org

Happy CiderDays! 

Celebrate a decade of fall fun at the Great Falls Festival aka PumpkinFest on Saturday, October 19. This fall-themed festival will be held on Avenue A in Turners Falls from 2-9 pm and is great for all ages. 

Bring your own carved pumpkin to display or decorate one there! Hang out at the beer garden and drink some local craft beers and pair it with food from various food vendors. You’ll also want to bring your dancing shoes because there will be musical bands and performances all event long. See the full lineup below:

It’s time for the wonderful annual Ashfield Fall Festival. This Saturday, October 12th and Sunday, October 13th, Ashfield’s Main Street will be filled with crafts, food, and music from 10 am to 5 pm on both days. 

Check out more than 50 local exhibitors including, Tom Kuklinski woodworking, Ed Branson hand-blown glass, and Walter Cudnohufsky watercolors. View the full list of arts and crafts vendors here. They will be stationed on the town common or the Upper Town Hall.

You’ll find lots of tasty autumn treats at the festival, such as home-made pumpkin donuts, apple pie, and applesauce sundae. Get your savory fix as well with warm chili, burgers, crawfish pasta, or vegetarian and kids options, too.

Bring the kids because there will be tons of entertainment and games, including the pumpkingames! Check out the full lineup of performances, as well, here. Don’t miss out on this amazing community event, with the backdrop of the beautiful fall foliage. 

For more information go to www.ashfieldfallfestival.org.

This Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, check out the Old Deerfield Fall Craft Fair. Held on the lush and beautiful grounds surrounding Memorial Hall Museum in Deerfield, MA, the Fall Craft Fair features 150 artisan craft booths from all over the area. You will find every kind of craft from fiber to pottery to jewelry and more! Plus, specialty food offerings, live music, and free craft activities for all ages, provided by Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association. You can also stop by the Yankee Candle booth, one of the festival’s long-time sponsors, to find beeswax candles, enter to win a raffle prize, and get a $20 off coupon. 

The craft fair hours are Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is $7 for adults and children 12 and under are free. Visit www.deerfield-craft.org for more information and to view the list of crafters. 

For a long time, cider has been the traditional drink of New England. Right here in Franklin County, we are lucky to be surrounded by wonderful orchards and cideries, who make this delicious fall drink. For 24 years, Franklin County has celebrated cider with their Annual CiderDays. This 3-day event, always occurring on the first full weekend [...]

Looking for something fun and fall-y to do this weekend? Head to Bernardston for the 6th Annual Scarecrow in the Park, hosted by the Bernardston Kiwanis Club! This two-day event, happening Saturday, October 20th and Sunday, October 21st has become an annual tradition, where Cushman Park becomes filled with artists and craftspeople, live [...]