Community Calendar

For kids 8 and up and their families.  Hiking is good fun and great exercise. You get to see nature, hear birds, smell fresh air, and be outside.  Come learn about hiking at Holyoke Heritage State Park.  Learn to follow a map.  Take a scavenger hunt to pack a daypack.  Enjoy a guided StoryWalk® of Hiking Day with Spanish interpretation. Learn where you can go hiking nearby. This program is co-sponsored by the Appalachian Mountain Club Family Outings Committee and Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Free and open to the public.  All children must be accompanied by an adult. […]

Stop 1: There were two canal systems in Chicopee. The first was built in 1823 along the Chicopee Falls section of the Chicopee River. That canal and dam are now gone. A second canal was built in Chicopee in 1832 (started April 1 and water enters it December 8) along the lower part of the Chicopee River. Its dam and canal still exists and is visible off the dirt path that once held the railroad tracks. Includes Ames Manufacturing Company, Chicopee Canal, Chicopee River Raceway, Cabot, Dwight and Perkins Mills and lots more. Total of 13 stops. Meet within the […]

The Chicopee Canal in Chicopee Center was made by the same person who made the Holyoke Canal System - John Chase.  Come learn about the similarities and the differences between the two canals.  Sign up at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-walking-tour-chicopee-canal-system-tickets-401709101737

Join Holyoke Mall on Saturday, September 3, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the Lower Level in Macy’s Court for a FREE Back-to School Safety Fair. Children and their families will meet local first responders, tour their emergency vehicles,  learn about back-to-school safety information, get SWAG, and more! Don’t miss Officer Tabb and K9 Jori of the Holyoke Police Department for a special K9 demonstration at 2:00 p.m. outside Planet Fitness. Participating Departments Include: Action Ambulance Hampden County Sheriff’s Office Holyoke Fire Department Holyoke Police Department

For kids and their families. Stop by the Park Interpreter’s picnic table to participate in science investigations. Look through  microscopes, make your own paper, study ants and worms., learn how a water turbine works. Each week learn something new, so come often. Rain cancels. Find us at the picnic table along the sidewalk. Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays        9:00 - 10:30 Saturday and Sunday   2:30 - 4:00

Join City Historian, Penni Martorell, and Wistariahurst Master Gardener, Ralph Strycharz, for a guided tour of Wistariahurst’s historic gardens and grounds. Learn about how the landscape and gardens have evolved over the years; what has been planted here historically, and the history of this plot of land. Your guides will share stories about how the Skinner family came to be here and what the property looked like when they lived here. Named after the wisteria vine that flowers in May, Wistariahurst was home to two generations of the Skinner family who loved to garden.  Begun by Sarah Skinner in the […]

Join City Historian, Penni Martorell, and Wistariahurst Master Gardener, Phyllis Barrett, for a guided tour of Wistariahurst’s historic gardens and grounds. Learn about how the landscape and gardens have evolved over the years; what has been planted here historically, and the history of this plot of land. Your guides will share stories about how the Skinner family came to be here and what the property looked like when they lived here. Named after the wisteria vine that flowers in May, Wistariahurst was home to two generations of the Skinner family who loved to garden.  Begun by Sarah Skinner in the […]

Converting the power of falling water to usable energy takes age-old technology. It’s what birthed Holyoke, and continues to power the city to this day.  An introduction to waterpower and the vision of Holyoke’s founders begins in the Holyoke Heritage State Park Visitor Center. The tour continues outside as we walk along the canals and view revitalized mill buildings first-hand. Meet at Holyoke Heritage State Park Visitor Center. All children must be accompanied by an adult.  

Converting the power of falling water to usable energy takes age-old technology. It’s what birthed Holyoke, and continues to power the city to this day.  An introduction to waterpower and the vision of Holyoke’s founders begins in the Holyoke Heritage State Park Visitor Center. The tour continues outside as we walk along the canals and view revitalized mill buildings first-hand. Meet at Holyoke Heritage State Park Visitor Center. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Join Bob Comeau as he takes us on a tour of a 5-block area of High Street. Learn about the fascinating history of this neighborhood. You will learn about the area's designation as a Local Historic District and get a chance to stop and really look at the buildings that are still with us. This is a fun- and fact-filled tour. For many, it will give you a chance to stroll down memory lane. Meet on the High Street side of the Holyoke City Hall. Wear comfortable shoes.

We have been busy and working hard to benefit our businesses and community at-large! Hear a brief update on the past year-and-a-half, mingle with colleagues, and have a chance to win TONS of prizes! Our Annual Meeting will be held during the dinner of our 54th Chamber Cup. Cocktail hour and raffle ticket purchase begins at 4pm, dinner and program begins at 5pm.

In 1921 Joseph Skinner was living in South Hadley with his wife, Martha, and their second child, Elisabeth. Three of their children had married and moved out the estate, but Elisabeth, never married. When not helping her mother cope with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis, she was playing golf at Mt. Tom Golf Course. But that was a 20 minute car ride away, and Joseph wanted a convenient place for her to play. So he called Donald Ross to design and build a course across the street from his home. The family named it The Orchards. In addition to the Skinner family, […]

It is known that the Olmsted Brothers produced plans for the design of Holyoke's Prospect (now Pulaski) Park and other public spaces, but few know that the firm worked on more than twenty Holyoke projects.  In this talk, Bob Comeau, leader of the Holyoke Canal Tours, will provide an overview of twenty-two parks and residential landscapes that appear in the records of John C. Olmsted and his brother Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.  While not all were realized, the plans reflect the enthusiasm with which Holyoke and its wealthier residents embraced the City Beautiful movement of the early twentieth century. Sponsored […]

21+ FREE EVENT ($5 Suggested Donation to DJ) Sponsored by Canna Provisions ! Crates to dig from Spin That Records. Dine at GCA! Judd’s Bar & Restaurant is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5pm to 10pm. ABOUT THE EVENT Calling all DJs, Record Junkies, Vinyl Enthusiasts – we’re asking the collective community to join us monthly for a night of all vinyl music. Get your sets ready, organize those 45s and come to signup and spin. Got some LPs to trade? Join the swap. Appearances by professional DJs. Don’t know how to DJ? Our hosts will guide your playlist with you by their-side. Judgement free, […]

Visit us here at Wistariahurst n the garden on the third Friday of each month for in-person plant sales! Offerings will include some annuals as available, perennials as they are culled and separated from our garden plants.  This is an opportunity to purchase healthy, well cared for garden plantings at a competitive price, and support the gardens at Wistariahurst. Our gardeners will also be selling their excess gardening supplies, and pots.

Join the Children's Museum at Holyoke as we close out the celebration of our 40th anniversary with a cocktail party at the Museum. The celebration will be on Saturday, September 17th starting at 6:00 pm. There will be entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, and beer and wine included with your ticket purchase. Come celebrate 40 years of fun with us! Tickets are available for purchase online at $65 per person.

Join us for a magical performance of music and dance in the beautiful gardens of this historical Holyoke Museum. Choreographer Michelle Marroquin presents a program of original dances and familiar favorites, including Garden of Sprites, performed by young ballerinas of the Academy of Ballet Arts. You'll also witness Michelle & Zazie Tobey's butoh inspired collaboration with Maggie Nowinski's biomorphic drawings called wHoles. Musical interludes feature the sweet vibrations of Tony Silva's Spanish guitar. $5 off coupons will be available at the Holyoke Senior Center as of 9/5. This production is supported by a grant from the Holyoke Cultural Council, a […]

Why do we have so  many acorns one year, and very few other times? How are the native wildlife preparing for the winter, and what can we see at this time of year? What is the science behind the leaves changing colors?  What are the true hibernating mammals?  Join Patti Steinman, Mass Audubon Education Coordinator to explore these questions as well as others. This leisurely walk will take place on the Wistariahurst grounds, or indoors if inclement weather.

Eventos de la comunidad vertiginosos y divertidos que ayudan a los emprendedores en las etapas iniciales a obtener exposición valiosa y comentarios sobre una idea de negocios. Excelente oportunidad para crear una red, validar una idea de negocios y competir para ganar un premio en efectivo. Los emprendedores pueden postularse sin cargo y todos pueden asistir gratis. Los Concursos Lanza Tu Idea de EparaTodos son eventos participativos de dos horas que ofrecen a los emprendedores la oportunidad de presentar sus ideas de negocios ante un público cordial y recibir valiosos comentarios de jueces experimentados. Se promueven ideas de negocios en […]

Join the Holyoke Conservation Commission and DCR in this 4-state effort to clean up the Connecticut River at Slim Shad Point. This annual cleanup event sponsored by the Connecticut River Conservancy is in its 26th year.  Hundreds of people all along the river's 410 miles get out on this day to clean up their communities along the river. Let's do the same for Holyoke Gloves, supplies, and snacks will be provided. Come on out for the comradery and give some love back to the river that built this city.

Join us at La Finca urban farm to celebrate our 30th Anniversary. Saturday Sept 24, 2022 NOON - 4pm. GREAT Food, Live Music, Dancing, a Farmer's Market, Kids Activities, and more! Featuring live music by Raquel y su Nuevo Impacto & Sensation Urbana. FREE ADMISSION. Raffles & Door Prizes. RAIN DATE OCT 1. Come celebrate on September 24, 2022 from 12 pm – 4 pm at LA FINCA 24 Jones Ferry Rd Holyoke, MA 01040 Please contact Hilda Roque at (413) 535-1789 ext 205, or Kendy Capois at ext 204 for more information!

FREE MUSIC EVENT AT DEWEY’S JAZZ LOUNGE SPRINGFIELD Part of MIFA’s “Angela Davis, A History of the United States” presentation MIFA Victory Theatre Presents “Angela Davis” Stars, singer Astrid Bayiha and Rapper Blade MC AliMBaye Live at Dewey’s Jazz Lounge, 232 Worthington St., Springfield, MA September 29, 2022, 7-10PM Make a reservation at deweyslounge.com For more information call MIFA at 413-540-0200 or email info@mifafestival.org. This Special FREE Music Event is in conjunction with MIFA’s presentation of French theater company ??Compagnie L'Héliotrope’s performance of “Angela Davis, A History of the United States,” September 30 – October 2, 2022, at the Rooke Theatre […]

The Griots Speak: William Parker, bass, Juma Sultan, djembe, percussion; Daniel Carter, reeds, trumpet; Charlie Apicella, madal drum. Saturday, Oct. 29, 7:30pm. Single tickets ($15) available at www.jazzshares.org. The Griots Speak has roots which reach to the dawn of the improvised music community which sprang to life in 1960s New York City. Trail blazing percussionist Juma Sultan formed the quartet to help celebrate the life and work of Studio We founder James DuBois, a patriarch of the loft scene. The band’s music is poetry in motion–simultaneously fluid, extroverted, light, confrontational, meditative, and comforting.

Free for students, Non-Student General Admission $20 (Student I.D. Required unless under age 13) - Reservation and I.D. Required,  Friday, September 30, 2022 - 7:30 pm - In French with English supertitles Face Masks Required: At the Rooke Theater, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA 01075, Free parking at Gorse Lot, 27 Morgan Street MIFA Victory Theatre presents French theater company ??Compagnie L'Héliotrope in "Angela Davis, A History of the United States" By Faustine Noguès, Based on an original idea by Paul Desveaux & Véronique Felenbok, Direction by Paul Desveaux, Starring Astrid Bayiha, Music by Blade MC Alimbaye The play, […]

What are the ingredients of student success in Puerto Rican-majority school systems?  Dr. Lorna Rivera will present the findings of Gastón Institute research that explore the impact of engagement with the cultural wealth of Puerto Rican students by educators, community leaders, and families on educational outcomes.   Dr. Rivera is the Director of Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development & Public Policy and Associate Professor of Women’s & Gender Studies & Latino Studies at University of Massachusetts-Boston. Her award-winning book, Laboring to Learn: Women’s Literacy & Poverty in the Post-welfare Era, was published in 2008. Since 2015, she has worked with […]

Join the unveiling celebration of a scale model of Mountain Park. Residents and visitors of all ages are invited to help inaugurate a new permanent exhibit at the Holyoke Heritage State Park Visitor Center.  This open-house style event will take place on October 1, 2022, from 1:00 to 3:00pm in the lobby of the Visitor Center. The primary focus of the exhibit is the six by two-foot scale model of Mountain Park.  It replicates Mountain Park as it was in 1980.  People who have grown up in the region will be able to reminisce about the rides and features of […]

MIFA Victory Theatre presents French theater company ??Compagnie L'Héliotrope in "Angela Davis, A History of the United States" By Faustine Noguès, Based on an original idea by Paul Desveaux & Véronique Felenbok, Direction by Paul Desveaux, Starring Astrid Bayiha, Music by Blade MC Alimbaye In English with French supertitles Face Masks Required: At the Rooke Theater, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA 01075, Free parking at Gorse Lot, 27 Morgan Street The play, mixing narration, speeches, video, and rap music, tells the story of Angela Davis, American Black activist, professor and author, who faced a turbulent life during the civil rights […]