23rd Annual Green River Festival

Print Story | Email Story
23rd Annual Green River Festival Announces Diverse Lineup, Featuring Michael Franti, Sharon Jones & The Dap-kings, And Many More

Special Friday Evening Performances Celebrate 15th Anniversary Of Signature Sounds Recordings
 
GREENFIELD, Mass. - The Green River Festival, Western New England's favorite summer festival will be held July 17 & 18, 2009 on the grounds of Greenfield Community College (I-91, Exit 26, Greenfield, MA). Presented by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, this celebration combines music on two stages, food, crafts, a dance tent, a wide array of kid's activities and entertainment, and hot air balloons for the Pioneer Valley's biggest outdoor event of the summer. This is the only music festival in Massachusetts that features hot air balloons and rides. Complete event information is available by calling (413) 773-5463, via e-mail: fccc@crocker.com, and on the web: www.greenriverfestival.com.
 
FRIDAY, July 17: Fifteen Signature Sounds artists will perform and celebrate the 15th year anniversary of the Western Massachusetts- based label:
 
Chris Smither
Crooked Still
Richard Shindell
Winterpills
Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem
Kris Delmhorst
Eilen Jewell
Tracy Grammer & Jim Henry
Peter Mulvey
Sometymes Why
Jeffrey Foucault
Mark Erelli
The Sacred Shakers
Caroline Herring
The Sweetback Sisters


Gates open at 5:00 PM and the music starts at 6:00. Hot Air Balloon launch also begins at 6:00 PM. The evening closes with a spectacular balloon illumination at 9:30 PM.

SATURDAY, July 18: 6:00 AM - Hot Air Balloon launch (free admission to launch).
 
MAIN STAGE PERFORMERS: Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings, Kathleen Edwards, Dave Alvin and The Guilty Women (featuring Laurie Lewis, Cindy Cashdollar and others), and Justin Townes Earle.
 
DANCE TENT PERFORMERS: CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, The Sweetback Sisters, Mike & Ruthy, Gypsy Caravan, and Naia Kete.
 
Saturday starts with free admission to the grounds for a traditional 6:00 AM balloon launch. Gates open to paying festival goers at 1 PM and the music starts at 2 PM. Games, songs, and activities for children will be featured all day. Adults may picnic and visit a variety of booths where craftspeople will be showing their original work, all while enjoying world-class music. Plenty of food and beverages including ethnic specialties, vegetarian, and great classic American fare will be available throughout the event. An evening hot air balloon launch is scheduled at 6:00 PM.
 
SUNDAY, July 19:  6:00 AM - Hot Air Balloon launch. Free admission.
 
ADMISSION:  Save almost 50% off the at the gate price! Early Bird tickets for the weekend will be available for only $35 through May 31. From June 1 -July 12, weekend ticket price is $45. Day of festival prices: Friday- $25. Saturday- $45, $60 for weekend. Children under 12 are free. Tickets may be purchased on line by credit card at www.greenriverfestival.com. Tickets are also available at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce office (395 Main Street in Greenfield), World Eye Books in Greenfield, and Elmer's Store in Ashfield.
 
BALLOON RIDES: Pre-festival price is $225 per person, $250 at the event. Call (413) 773-5463 for reservations and more details. Balloon Rides may also be purchased on-line at: www.greenriverfestival.com. Festival admission in included in the cost.
 
Passengers must be over the age of 10 and in good health. If you are pregnant, recently released from the hospital, have current broken bones or casts you will not be able to qualify to purchase a ride. Passengers under the age of 18 must have parental permission or the parent must fly with them. Riders are accepted at the discretion of the ride operator. All passengers will be required to sign a release form provided at the Festival balloon tent. The balloons, due to winds, can only inflate and fly during early morning or evening hours.  They do not fly during the day.
 
Rain or shine, the festival takes place on the grounds of Greenfield Community College, Greenfield, MA- one mile from the Route 2 / Interstate 91 rotary at I-91 exit 26.
 
Plenty of free parking is available on site. Balloon rides are weather permitting. Sorry, no dogs or alcohol are permitted at the festival.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
View Full Story

More Regional Stories