Ashfield, Massachusetts, is an exceptionally vibrant rural village in the eastern foothills of the Berkshires. Streets lined with beautiful, historic homes lead to the quaint center of activity on Main Street where residents congregate regularly for lively talk and town news exchange: the charmingly unpretentious Elmer's Store. The not-so-run-of-the-mill nature of Ashfield's annual fall festival stems surely from the extraordinary community involvement once described by “The New York Times” reporter Lisa A. Phillips. This is no sleepy hamlet. Give its fall festival a spot at the top of your to-do list.
Festival for the Common Good
- Given the strong spirit of community exhibited in this town, it's no surprise that Ashfield's fall festival is a philanthropic affair. The Columbus Day weekend event goes on even if it rains, possibly due to the desire to raise funds for the Ashfield Citizens' Scholarship Fund to benefit higher education. Admission is free, but parking attendants accept donations. At time of publication, the most recent festival had netted nearly $13,000 to assist with the educational endeavors of its citizens.
Did Someone Say Maple?
- Ashfield is a farming community, so it's no wonder that its festival food offerings rise above normal festival fare. It's also in New England -- syrup central. With 2 percent of the country's maple production, Massachusetts may not be as sweet as Vermont, but you wouldn't know it hanging around this party. No cinnamon-dusted elephant ears here; fried dough is served with maple cream. Even cotton candy and snow cones are maple-kissed. Heartier fare comes in abundant chilies and chowders. Pumpkin spice doughnuts proliferate, and the appearance of organic cider sends lemonade days packing. It's fall in New England.
So Much to Do
- The festival serves as a fund-raiser for local service organizations. Ditch your e-reader and support the library book sale. Make your way through a tag sale maze to help the First Congregational Church. Wander among the booth displays of painters, potters and weavers. Marvel at the instrument makers, fabric artists and glass blowers. If nothing tickles your fancy, just sign up for one of several community organization raffles, cross your fingers and head off to hear a bit of fiddle playing or jazz before witnessing the Giant Pumpkin and Tallest Sunflower contests.
Lots for the Little Ones
- Of course the Ashfield Fall Festival has face-painting. Festivals always do. But a child about to hand over pocket contents to become Spiderman's look-alike could easily be tempted at this affair to spend it elsewhere -- especially if he's hungry. Maple snow cones, maple cotton candy and hot applesauce sundaes served at a Berkshires autumn fest won't be found at the supermarket back home. Nor will your young charges often have a chance in this electronic age to play games with names like "top hat toss," "stump monkey" or "fidget ladder." Welcome to the Berkshires.
Practicalities
- Parking is available east of the center of town where attendants take donations for the scholarship fund. Because the festival is so well-attended and takes place on not just public, but private, property, organizers request that you leave canine friends at home. Additionally, if you hope to make your visit to the festival during a year when the fall foliage is particularly spectacular, check the Berkshires.org website for the “Leaf Chief's” foliage report updates.
