RiverFest

A family-friendly, participatory celebration of the wild and scenic Westfield River that runs through the heart of Cummington, Sept 19 & 20.

Organized with several community partners, RiverFest is a celebration of our local waterways. Throughout the festival, artists, humanists, and scientists share their practices and knowledge as a frame for hands-on, experiential, and sensory experiences across a variety of means of engagement, including workshops, walks, guided movement, performances, and public artworks. Projects explore themes around the river, cultural and historic uses & meaning, climate change & the future, creative relationships with water and flow, and related habitat and ecosystems.

RiverFest kicks off with a special River Songs-themed Friday Night Cafe on Friday, September 19.

Throughout the day on Saturday, September 20, join us for activities including:

• A nature walk along the river led by field naturalist Charley Eiseman, organized by Hilltown Vision
• River-themed puppet making with Meredyth Babcock, puppeteer and Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee educator
• Artist and artisan vending along Main Street
• Reception at Ferrin Contemporary for Kadri Parnamets' solo exhibition featuring new large scale river-themed works
• RAKU firing along the river, organized by Project Art
• Open exhibition viewing hours for "Watershed: The Westfield in Cummington" at the Kingman Tavern Museum
• A showcase of J.S. Bryant School student visual work about community leadership on the Westfield River
• And more activities to be announced!

RiverFest is free and all-ages, and light refreshments will be provided with donations accepted. Join us on Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20, 2025! (Rain Date: Sunday, September 21). Visit our website for updates: https://cummingtonculture.art/riverfest-2025

RiverFest is organized by the Cummington Cultural District in partnership with the Cummington Historical Commission, Hilltown CDC, Hilltown Vision, Historical Commission, Friday Night Cafe, J.S. Bryant School, Project Art / Ferrin Contemporary, and Village Homeschool Cooperative.