ASHFIELD — It’s gourd times only at the annual Ashfield Fall Festival.
For the 55th year, the town common on Main Street will transform into a bustling fair with games, food and craft vendors, and live music and dancing. The event is free to attend and will be held rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, and Sunday, Oct. 12.
“Similarly to last year, it’ll be a lot of fun fall favorites,” organizer Riley Sampson said. “There will be lots of artisans and makers showing off their crafts, lots of different food and games, and live music.”
The festival, which began in 1970, raises money for the Ashfield Citizens Scholarship & Community Fund. Sampson said community members rally together to put on the festival, and every year, hundreds come to town to enjoy the fall fun.
“It’s just kind of an event that feels like a hug,” Sampson said. “It’s a really beloved gathering. People come and enjoy time with their friends, family and neighbors.”
Local bands take the stage, local businesses sell their wares, community members help serve food and the town’s children run a thriving market of homemade games. Sampson said this year’s festival will see the return of fan-favorite game booths, such as a pirate ring toss, rope ladders, marble mazes, pumpkin decorating and more. The beloved pumpkin games will start at noon on Saturday.
“Ashfield is such a small town. It’s easy to come and support your friends and neighbors,” Sampson said. “It’s the epitome of a fall weekend. … There’s beautiful foliage, fun activities and delicious food.”
“It’s just an event that feels like a hug.”
Riley Sampson, Ashfield Fall Festival organizer
Sampson said one of her favorite parts of the festival is all the great food available. She said this year’s event will see the return of fried dough, hot dogs, hamburgers, maple cotton candy and other traditional fair food.
There will be the traditional St. John’s Episcopal Church blueberry cobbler, the Boy Scouts’ apple cider doughnuts, the Hilltown Snowmobile Club’s kielbasa grinders, corn chowder and sandwiches at the First Congregational Church of Ashfield, Ashfield Rod & Gun Club chili and apple pie with cheese at Town Hall. More food can be found at Elmer’s, the Community Hall and Ashfield Hardware & Supply.
She added that other vendors will be selling handcrafted quilts and fiber arts, paintings and drawings, woodwork, jewelry and baked goods.
Still, the event offers more than just shopping and food. On Saturday, attendees can enjoy performances by the Hilltown Ham Hocks, the Ashfield Town Band and The Brookside Project, as well as watch Morris dancers perform the traditional English folk dance.
Live music will continue on Sunday with performances by Robert Markey and Jim Matus, Over Easy Jazz, Forest Avenue and Norma Dream.
Parking will be available at Sanderson Field, Sampson said, but members of the Ashfield Fall Festival’s organizing committee recommend that people carpool, walk or bike to the event if possible. The committee also encourages people to bring reusable water bottles and bags to maximize sustainability.
Parking is also available at Upper Park off Main Street, the tennis court and beach lots off Buckland Road, the playing field off Buckland Road and the Ashfield Community Preschool lot on Baptist Corner Road.
“It’s my favorite weekend of the year,” Sampson said.
For more information, including the entertainment schedule, visit ashfieldfallfestival.org.
