Bay State is buzzing
May full of local celebrations — check out these winning fests
May is a bit of a challenge for New Englanders; we expect the warmth and get the … usual.
But local towns know the solution: Catch a buzz.
From a town festival celebrating bees to an island weekend celebrating wine and food to a busy, vibrant seaside town weekend bash, there are many creative ways to liven up the gray, gray month of May.
Each a day trip away from most parts of the Bay State, consider these buzzworthy events to warm up your month.
The Greenfield Bee Fest
It started as a kids’ event back in 2010. But interest and enthusiasm in the event — and the history behind it, helped the Greenfield Bee Fest (greenfieldbeefest.org) grow to a fun event for all ages.
Taking place this year on the weekend of May 20-22 (with the majority of things happening the morning of the 21st), this festival celebrates the history Greenfield shares with beekeeping (19th century resident Rev. Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth is known as the “father of modern beekeeping”) as well as the need for bees to thrive in our world.
Saturday gets going at 9 a.m. and features a bee costume/outfit contest, bee games and crafts, a honeybee tea party, the unveiling of three new bee sculptures in the downtown area, and
the centerpiece of it all: the Pollinator Parade.
It all happens downtown right next to the weekly Farmer’s Market.
There’s music, food, free starter plants to bring home and more.
It’s a fun, old-school style event in a lovely Massachusetts town, well worth a trip.
“It’s a celebration of community coming together,” event spokesman Amy Timmins said. “Because that’s what bees do.”
Nantucket Wine and Food Festival
Nantucket has long known how to throw a festival, and this one gets high marks and offers a reason to visit the island early season.
This year, the festival is back after a multi-year pandemic hiatus (nantucketwinefestival.com) and takes place May 18-22 with events for just about every budget, from $50 tastings to $500 wine paired meals.
It’s fun to just be on the island for this: After a long winter, the crowd is intoxicating on its own.
Around town, you’ll find shops offering specials, flowers in bloom (their daffodil festival was just days prior), and while you may or may not need a jacket, the scent of the sea and the classic beauty of the island will warm your heart.
There are new events this year, including a British Bubbles event focusing on the sparkling wines of that country. and a British Brunch.
While you indulge in the setting, wines and food, you are doing good for others. The Festival, which has a charitable arm, has donated more than $1 million to Nantucket Island charities, as well as nonprofit organizations both on and off island.
Day trips are easy with the ferries, but overnights are great for this multi-day event as well.
Marblehead Spring Celebration
A year ago, the merchants and locals of Marblehead decided they should take a day to celebrate getting back out in the world together again.
How successful was it? It’s now an annual event. Taking place this year on May 14, Marblehead Spring Celebration (marbleheadchamber.org/events/details/marblehead-springcelebration-2640) is the result of town museums, local shops, restaurants, artists and organizations all teaming up for a day of shopping, dining and more.
The town’s historic district, Atlantic Avenue and Pleasant Street will all be busy, with sidewalk sale items, crafts, artists displaying their skills and other treats.
There’s a signature cocktail and art part, as well as a beer garden from Bent Water Beer at the Lee Mansion Gardens, live music at the Beacon and plenty of fun activities for kids and adults alike.
As you meander, you’ll find bakers showing off their skills (and you can purchase the final product), a sidewalk chalk art show, face painting, a classic car show and plenty of food and drink specials.
It’s a chance to visit a New England town in all its old-school glory.