There is a lot happening in Greenfield these days! So much, in fact, that we thought Greenfield needed its own column, just like Taylor Ratcliffe’s wonderful “Over in Rindge.” I’ll try to keep on top of town news, events, people and happenings as best I can. Welcome to The Greenfield Beat.
One of the most-exciting events happening in town right now is the Greenfield Farmers and Crafters Market, which takes place every Sunday at Oak Park from noon to 3 p.m., rain or shine. If you’re driving through Greenfield on Sunday afternoon, stop and check out the many wonderful farmers, crafters, artists, bakers and more, as the number of vendors grows every week.
The market was organized by Dave Thimmel, Angelique Moon, Jenn White, Nanette Perotte and Shannon Bilodeau, who worked hard all last year to launch the first market in the spring. The market is still accepting new vendors for this year; please contact Dave Thimmel at woodshopronin@gmail.com if you would like to participate. The market closes for the year on Sept. 25, but it will be back in the spring.
While I was talking to Dave about the market, he mentioned another new event coming to Oak Park this fall, the Homesteaders of New England Fall Gathering, which will take place Sept. 10 and 11 and is sponsored by the Mindful Homesteaders. I had never heard of Mindful Homesteaders, but I learned they’re a young Monadnock region homesteading family with a huge YouTube following.
Homesteading is extremely popular among young people want to live sustainable lives and know where their food comes from, and several thousand people are expected at this event. The gathering will have vendors, demonstrations and keynote speakers on farming issues including seed-saving, beekeeping, and small farm economics. For information, go to mindfulhomestead.com.
Right after I got off the phone with Dave, I got an email about the 35th annual Greenfield Tractor Show, hosted by the Greenfield Harness and Drawbar Club. My boys loved this show when they were little – what could be better than a field full of tractors, antique trucks and machinery? The tractor show includes vendors, raffles, tractor games, a farmers market area and flea market and yard sale tables. The harness and drawbar club will be selling breakfast and lunch, “keeping prices low so families can come enjoy the day.” You can find the Greenfield Harness and Drawbar Club on Facebook.
Next up in September is an event dear to my heart, the third annual Greenfield Oktoberfest. This year’s Oktoberfest is Saturday, Sept. 24, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Greenfield Meetinghouse (yes, it’s in September). Oktoberfest is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Greenfield Community Meetinghouse (of which I am secretary). All profits from Oktoberfest go into the FGCM Building Fund; these funds will later be transferred to the Town of Greenfield to help pay for the renovations and repairs to our 227-year-old meetinghouse.
This year’s Oktoberfest brewers include Henniker Brewing Co., Frogg Brewing, White Birch Brewing and Mountain Base Brewery, and Summit Winery of Westmoreland will be providing wine. The cover price of $20 includes two tickets for beer or wine, a commemorative glass and a German dinner. New to the event this year are local food trucks Total Thai, Blackfire Farm Pizza and Becky’s Pies and Desserts, along with Little Charlotte’s Kettle Corn (vendor food not included with admission).
We will also have two Greenfield-based musical guests – Folksoul Duo and Jarvis Adams and Larry Gilbert. Oktoberfest tickets are available now online; please buy tickets ahead of time and save $5 per person. Please go to greenfieldmeetinghouse.org for tickets and information.
Stay tuned for the next edition of The Greenfield Beat. To contact me with Greenfield news or events, please send email to jesstimm17@gmail.com.