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| THURSDAY, JUNE 4,

2026

Party with purpose Inside: Springfield Pride Weekend to include bowling, parade, block party. Page D2

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Shown above and below are photos from past years’ Springfield Pride Parade events. This year’s Pride Parade steps off at noon on Saturday, but Pride Weekend begins a day sooner with a bowling fundraiser on Friday, June 5.

Celebrating

PRIDE

Pride weekend in Springfield is ‘party with purpose’

At right is a scene from the 2025 Springfield Pride Parade. Rain or shine, the 2026 parade steps off on Saturday from Springfield Technical Community College.

(HEATHER RUSH PHOTO)

I

By Ashley Potter

apotter@repub.com

t’ll definitely feel like a party downtown on Saturday, June 6, when the Springfield Pride Parade marches its way to Stearns Square.

But it’s a party with purpose, stressed its founder, Taurean Bethea.

“We didn’t just build an event,” Bethea, who serves as executive director of the Springfield Pride Parade Organization, said in an interview with The Republican. “We built an organization that serves Springfield and Western Mass. youth throughout the year. It’s a year-round initiative SEE PRIDE, PAGE D3

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026 | D3

“We had this vision of giving youth a space to be safe and build with one another, but now, we want to take it a step further.”

TAUREAN BETHEA, FOUNDER, SPRINGFIELD PRIDE PARADE

Pride CONTINUES FROM PAGE D2

Celebrating Pride: See how other Western Massachusetts towns and cities are celebrating Pride this month. Round-up on Page D11. advocacy, and teamwork and collaboration.

“We had this vision of giving youth a space to be safe and build with one another, but now, we want to take it a step further,” Bethea said.

To match that sense of hope, the theme for this year’s Springfield Pride Parade and block party is “Beyond the Rainbow.”

“It’s the thought of going beyond just Pride and creating safe spaces to now allowing the youth resources and access to different things. So not only do they survive, but now we’re putting them in a position to thrive,” Bethea said.

The earliest opportunity to celebrate pride and support the organization’s programming comes a day before the Pride Parade itself. On June 5, the organization will host Pride Strikes — a bowling fundraiser — starting at 7 p.m. at MGM Springfield’s TAP Sports Bar. “We decided to move away

SEE PRIDE, PAGE D11

Heritage Greens Kitchen & Bar at Wyckoff Country Club

Come experience the beginning of something special!

Welcome to Heritage Greens Kitchen & Bar, the newly imagined restaurant at Wyckoff Country Club, offering a fresh and elevated dining experience in a beautiful setting.

View our menu and make a reservation!

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for us that we push our mission to really just continue to serve our youth.”

It all began in 2022 when the first Pride Parade stepped off from Springfield Technical Community College. Bethea built a party for an expected 500 people, and more than 5,000 showed up that first year.

“And now, five years later, we’ve been getting anywhere between (7,000) and 10,000 people to come hang out and really support our programming and raise funds,” Bethea said. “That is truly something to celebrate this year.”

Bethea’s organization, the same organization that hosts the annual Pride Parade and block party, offers two programs to support youth in partnership with Springfield Public Schools.

The Ignite Program, geared for students in grades nine to 12, teaches skills like leadership development, financial literacy, public speaking and civic engagement. The Future Sparks Program, geared for students in grades six to eight, teaches foundations needed for the transition to high school, such as goal setting and confidence, social-emotional learning, identity,

Above and at right are scenes from the 2025 Springfield Pride Parade. Rain or shine, the 2026 parade steps off on Saturday from Springfield Technical Community College. (HEATHER RUSH PHOTOS)

Wednesday: Italian Night • Thursday: Ladies Night • Friday: Prime Rib Night

WEEKEND

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Bands on Brewster music series returns to Northampton

A

George Lenker LIVE WIRE

GOOD BREWERY should have a diverse selection of beers, so it’s fitting that a music series adjacent to a brewpub would feature an eclectic smorgasbord of music.

And that’s exactly the case with Northampton’s Bands on Brewster music lineup this year. The series runs every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. through the summer in

Brewster Court, the walkway space between Northampton Brewery and the E. John Gare Parking Garage. The series kicks off today with the progrock synth psychedelia of Dust Witch.

Abby Martin, general manager of the Northampton Brewery, said that a bonus for the audience is that the city allows imbibing alcohol in a restricted outdoor space on

GREAT BARRINGTON

‘Grief ... A Comedy’

A

lison Larkin’s hit show, “Grief ... A Comedy,” comes to the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on June 12 and 13, where it will be filmed before a live audience for an upcoming television special.

(RAY BURMISTON PHOTO)

THURSDAY

SEE LIVE WIRE, PAGE D12

FRIDAY

The Drake: Max Johnson Sextet.

44 North Pleasant St., Amherst

Theodores’: Frank Viele. 201 Worthington St., Springfield Uno Chicago Grill: Country Music. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield Wyckoff Country Club: Ladies Night with DJ Biggz. Heritage Greens, 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke

show that could change your outlook on life.”

Larkin was adopted and raised in England and Africa.

After finding her birth parents in the U.S., she moved to New York and became a stand-up comic.

Her first autobiographical solo show in which she played herself, her English adoptive

er-pop garage rock to the stage, supported by the foodthemed tunes of Sunny D and the Tangy Originals. The series shifts gears on June 18 as the Hendersons Blues Band brings 40 years of experience and a gritty sound to the Brewster audience.

The always-popular Free Range Cats will play their wide-ranging array of tunes

NIGHTCLUBS & OUTINGS

White Lion Pridelands Beer Garden: Live music by a local DJ & cold drinks. Tower Square Park, Springfield

Alison Larkin.

Onewoman After marriage, divorce and raising two children, Larkin — show who is now in her 50s — had comes to made peace with the idea that great romantic love had Mahaiwe passed her by. Then she met Bhima at The Red Lion Inn in the Berkshires. What followed stage was a once-in-a-lifetime love story that would change everything and become the heart of her show.

Larkin’s show, which features music from Emmy Award winner Gary Schreiner, has been hailed by The Times of London as “hugely entertaining [and] marvelously light-footed,” and by Entertainment Now as “An exquisite piece … beautiful and moving. …This is truly a

Brewster Court during the shows.

“We usually have our two brewers out there, and people can take out food for the shows,” she said. “And it’s nice to coordinate with the Northampton Arts Council to create another lovely space where people can enjoy live music for free.”

On June 11, Holyoke’s Folly of Three bring their pow-

Delaney House: Mark Dunlap Trio. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke MGM Springfield: Free Music Fridays: Petty Larceny. 1 MGM Way, Springfield The Drake: Survival Center Benefit with Don Gallagher & Friends.

44 North Pleasant St., Amherst Theodores’: Night Train. 201 Worthington St., Springfield Uno Chicago Grill: Roots, Blues and Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield

SEE CLUBS, PAGE D5

SPRINGFIELD’S BEER GARDEN

mother and her all-American birth mother, led to three years under Hollywood studio development contract with Jim Henson Productions and ABC TV to star in her own sitcom.

She is now an internationally acclaimed writer, comedian, speaker, actress,

1 47 7 M A I N S T R E E T | T O W E R S Q U A R E PA R K

WHITELIONBREWING.COM

SEE LARKIN, PAGE D12

Larkin’s show, which features music from Emmy Award winner Gary Schreiner, has been hailed by The Times of London as “hugely entertaining [and] marvelously light-footed.”

W E E K LY

ORDER OFF THE WHITE LION FOOD MENU

POP UP SMALL BUSINESS VENDORS

W E E K LY

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THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026 | D5

Whip City Brewfest Nick Oliver, of Suffield, Conn., front center, celebrates his birthday with friends at a past year's Whip City Brewfest in Westfield.

(FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)

Enjoy craft beer & live music — all for good cause

By Keith O’Connor

Special to The Republican

There are a couple of good reasons to attend Saturday’s Whip City Brewfest, which features unlimited beer tastings from local craft breweries, vendors, food trucks, live music, raffles and more.

People enjoy conversation and cold drinks from White Lion Brewing. at the Pridelands summer beer garden. The beer garden, located at Tower Square Park, kicks off its summer season this week. (ASHLEY POTTER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Clubs CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4

even if you don’t drink beer, this year’s Brewfest has added two wineries to the lineup — Glendale Ridge Vineyard and Winehaus & Vineyard at Jameson Farm.

The event will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. in space provided by the City of Westfield at the 12 Central St. parking lot.

“Our volunteers were asking us to expand our offerings by adding some wine for non-beer drinkers. I knew there were some pretty good wineries in the area, so we

Lara Juenger, of Amston, Conn., feeds Todd Sullivan, of Amherst, a sample of her lunch at a past year's Whip City Brewfest in Westfield. (FREDERICK GORE PHOTO)

The first is that all proceeds benefit Amelia Park Children’s Museum in Westfield to help operate and maintain their facilities and continue to bring fresh exhibits and programs to children and their families.

The second reason is that

are giving it a try,” said Rick Barry, co-chair of the event and a member of the museum’s board.

It was Patrick Berry from the museum’s board who reached out to Ed and Mary Hamel, co-owners of Glendale Ridge Brewery, to be-

come one of the first wineries to be showcased at Brewfest.

“Patrick knew about us because he has been to our winery and we have been on the Mass Appeal television show that he hosted. We were all in when he asked us. We like to help nonprofits in any way we can,” Ed Hamel said, adding that he has visited the museum in the past with his family.

“We were looking to grow something ... something we could make for ourselves,” Ed Hamel said about purchasing the Sankey Farm and beginning their winery with the first planting of grapes in 2010. “And it just took off.”

Glendale Ridge’s estate wines are grown, produced and bottled in Southampton.

They produce wines using grapes that are sourced from vineyards on Long Island and in the Finger Lakes region.

Visitors to the winery and its tasting room will find 18 wines — sparkling, white, red and rose.

“Our Crescent White is a favorite with customers, it’s a dry white, and our Traminette is a close second,” Ed Hamel said.

Among the wines Hamel will be pouring will be a Cabernet Franc, Vidal Blanc and Traminette.

In addition to the new wine samples, the event’s brewery lineup has several new faces this year, including Woodstock Brewing, Long

SEE BREW, PAGE D8

Wyckoff Country Club: Heshima Moja Trio. Heritage Greens, 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Kittie and the Beard. 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield

SATURDAY Delaney House: Baird Souls. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke Wyckoff Country Club: Midlife Crisis. Heritage Greens, 233 Easthampton Road, Holyoke MGM Springfield: MGM Roar Comedy Club: Kristin Chirico. 1 MGM Way, Springfield Theodores’: Danny Draher. 201 Worthington St., Springfield

Uno Chicago Grill: Modern, Contemporary Rock. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield West Springfield’s Irish House Restaurant & Pub: Kilashandra.

429 Morgan Road, West Springfield

SUNDAY Delaney House: Trivia with Bobby Roast Beef on the Patio. 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke Uno Chicago Grill: Jazz. 820 West Columbus Ave., Springfield The Republican is not responsible for unannounced schedule changes.

Listings must be received two weeks before the date of the event. Items should be mailed to: Entertainment Guide, The Republican, P.O. Box 1329, Springfield, MA 01102-1329, emailed to pmastriano@repub.com or submitted to www.masslive. com/myevent

NOW ON VIEW

Explore the bold inventions, groundbreaking ideas, and creative thinkers that shaped the City of Firsts— from the American Revolution to the industrial age and beyond.

SpringfieldMuseums.org •

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THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

DINE SPRINGFIELD

Above, from left: Jenell Smith, owner of Jen’s Organics vegan restaurant in Tower Square; Kelly Dobbins, chef/owner of Iona’s Kitchen; and Jose Cuevas and his wife Nemesis Rodriguez pose in the kitchen of the Farmer’s House Restaurant.

Springfield Restaurant Week is back, with more than 30 city eateries offering deals & promos

S

By Ashley Potter

ment District, which puts on the annual event.

As in past years, Restaurant pringfield Week isn’t limited to just Restaurant downtown — restaurants from Week is back all across the city are participating, including in the Forest and bigger Park neighborhood, where the than ever.

Farmer’s House Restaurant Following a success- will be serving up breakfast sandwiches, with many of ful run last year that the ingredients sourced from local farms. saw 23 restaurants The freshness of the ingreparticipating, this dients in the sandwiches is year’s edition of Dine something that people really enjoyed last year, said owner Springfield — which and chef Jose Cuevas. kicks off on Saturday, “People love it,” he said.

June 6 — is building on “People supported the last year and we’re that momentum with promo hoping that this year they do more than 30 eateries the same.”

Diners can order a breaksigned up. fast sandwich of their choice — egg and cheese with ham, That includes familiar sausage, or bacon — with favorites like Theodores’ on home fries for a set price of Worthington Street, which is $6.99 from 7 to 9 a.m. during offering maple siracha pork Restaurant Week. belly burnt ends and fried “I want to invite all of chicken and waffles, and Frigo Springfield to celebrate with Foods, which is offering a us for Springfield Restaurant sandwich lunch deal.

“Restaurant Week is always Week. We’re going to bring an exciting opportunity to cel- the best stuff possible here — omelets, French toast, panebrate the incredible flavors, cakes, pork chops, salmon,” cultures, and local businessCuevas added. es that make Springfield’s New for Restaurant Week dining scene so special,” said this year is a complimentary Samantha Savoie, marketing valet service offered by the and creative director for the Springfield Business ImproveSEE DINE, PAGE D7 apotter@repub.com

“Whether you’re revisiting a longtime favorite or trying somewhere new, we encourage everyone to get out, explore, and support the restaurants that help bring energy and vibrancy to our city.”

Samantha Savoie, Springfield BID

Nadim Kashouh is the owner of Nadim's Downtown Mediterranean Grill. (HOANG 'LEON' NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

FOR TICKETS AND INFO: SPRINGFIELDDOWNTOWN.COM /THEWORTHY

WEEKEND

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026 | D7

Above, from left, is naan bread from Panjabi Tadka and Margarita pizza from Costa Italian Restaurant at MGM Springfield. At left, Khesan Reid and Nina Ortiz, owners of Flame on Vegan on Main Street in Springfield.

of Fame Ave.; • Eat, 300 Worthington St.; • Farmer’s House Restaurant, 600 Belmont Ave.; • The Urban Food Brood, 250 Albany St.; • Del Rey Taqueria & Bar, 211 Worthington St.; • Rosè Restaurant & Lounge, 555 Worthington St.; • Nadim’s Downtown Mediterranean Grill, 1390 Main St.; • La Cafetería y Restaurant, 308 Belmont Ave.; • Cellf Juices, 1026 Bay St.; • Iona’s Kitchen, 1500 Main St. (inside Tower Square); • White Lion Brewing Company, 1500 Main St. (inside Tower Square).

A smoothie is poured for a customer at Cellf Juices in Springfield.

Dine CONTINUES FROM PAGE D6

Springfield BID. The service will be available at the corner of Worthington and Main Streets from 6 to 10 p.m. on June 6, 7, 14 and 15.

“Whether you’re revisiting a longtime favorite or trying somewhere new, we encourage everyone to get out, explore, and support the restaurants that help bring energy and vibrancy to our city,” Savoie said.

The Springfield BID encourages people to take photos and videos of the restaurants they visit and post them to social media using the hashtag #DineSpringfieldRW2026.

A complete list of restaurants participating may be found below. More information on each restaurant’s special deals can be found on the Dine Springfield website.

• Bridge22 Restaurant & Bar, 2 Boland Way; • Panjabi Tadka, 1688 Main St.; • MVP.pub, 1 Monarch Place; • Nathan Bill’s Bar & Restaurant, 110 Island Pond Road; • The Boulevard Tavern & Grill, 664 Page Boulevard;

• Liberty’s Mediterranean Giant Grinders, 63 Liberty St.; • Pho Saigon, 400 Dickinson St.; • SouLao’d Kitchen, 606 Page Boulevard; • Costa, 1 MGM Way (inside MGM Springfield); • Top Fusion Smokehouse, 672 Dickinson St.; • Boricua Bites, 1030 State St.; • Osteria Restaurant, 301 Bridge St.; • Theodores’ Booze, Blues and BBQ, 201 Worthington St.; • Frigo Foods, 90 William St.; • L’Amour Restaurant, 111 Chestnut St.; • Flame On Vegan, 1244 Main St.; • Jen’s Organics, 1500 Main St. (inside Tower Square); • Student Prince Restaurant, 8 Fort St.; • TAP Sports Bar, 1 MGM Way (inside MGM Springfield); • Family Pizzeria Europa, 715 Sumner Ave.; • Saray II Turkish Restaurant, 1374 Allen St.; • Palazzo Cafe, 1350 Main St.; • Uno Pizzeria & Grill, 820 Hall of Fame Ave.; • Max’s Tavern, 1000 Hall

TUESDAY

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THURSDAY

Chicopee Elks #1849

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D8 | THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026

WEEKEND

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

CALENDAR lection? Stop by the puzzle swap!

Bring your already solved puzzles Connecticut Morgan Horse Show: to trade with your neighbors.

Thu.-Sat., Eastern States ExpoPlease bring only puzzles that are sition, Coliseum, 1305 Memorial complete and in good condition Ave., West Springfield. 413-737to swap. The swap will run under 2443 or www.thebige.com. the Carnegie Tent from 10 a.m. to noon. Don’t have a puzzle to swap?

Song Share Sessions for NonBiAny unclaimed puzzles will be up nary, Trans and Women Singfor grabs from noon until close at 5 er-Songwriters: Thu., 7 p.m. Mill p.m. Free. Avenue A, Turners Falls.

River Music and Guitars. This is a low-pressure, generative comGaga Dance Class: Fri., Arts and munity space designed to share Industry Building-Florence, Gaga works-in-progress, lyrics, poetry, or dance classes are predicated on any creative musings. No finished a deep activation of the body and product required! Guitars are avail- physical sensations. Invitations able on-site if you want to travel are curated to increase awareness light. Voluntary donations ($1-$5) of and further amplify sensation, are appreciated to support the shop and rather than turning from one staff member staying late, but are prompt to another, information is not required for entry. Free. 135 layered, building into a multisenKing St., Northampton; 413-505sory, physically enlightening expe0129 or www.millrivermusic.com. rience. All are welcome, $16. 221 Pine St., Florence; 413-348-7503 or www.artsindustryopenstudios.

FRIDAY blogspot.com.

THURSDAY

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Horsing around The Connecticut Morgan Horse Show gallops onto the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition today. Visit the Coliseum anytime this weekend for the chance to watch a free competition, or to get up close and personal with a show horse and its trainer. Above, Becky Bibeau of Hampton Falls, N.H., takes a victory lap after winning reserve champion during a past year’s show. (THE REPUBLICAN, FILE PHOTO)

Brew

time to sit back and see how everything was shaping out, especially with COVID-19 CONTINUES FROM PAGE D5 spreading across the country shortly afterwards. But since Trail Brewing Co., Night Shift Brewing, Swing Oil Beer day one of closing, people have not stopped asking for Co., Incandescent Brewing, Best Day Brewing and their Lefty’s to return,” Melissa award-winning non-alcoholic said. beers, and Lefty’s Craft, who Now they are back brewing some of their favorite flavors. just relaunched after a sevThey no longer have a tap en-year hiatus.

It was the organizers who room and are instead marketing their beers to liquor stores, reached out to Lefty’s Craft to become a part of this year’s bars and restaurants.

Among the Lefty’s beers Brewfest.

“We really enjoyed being being poured at the Brewfest will be Weekend Essentials a part of the community and Pale Ale, Calling My Name participating in events like Honey Brown Ale, Explore the Brewfest. They were a Graham Cracker Porter. good way to get our product Returning breweries to the out for folks to try and enjoy. festival include Tin Bridge And now it is a good way to Brewing Company, Bright let everybody know that we are back,” said Bill Goldfarb, Ideas Brewing, Skyline co-owner of Lefty’s Craft with Beer Co., Great Awakening Brewing Company, Kismet his wife, Melissa Goldfarb.

A staple brewery in western Brewing Company, Citizen Massachusetts for nine years, Cider, Abandoned Building Brewery, Progression Brewing Lefty’s closed their taps for Company, Oakholm Brewing family reasons in 2019.

“I was experiencing health Company, Two Weeks Notice Brewing Company, Antimony issues, then we had a child, Brewing, Paradox Brewery, and running multiple businesses at the time. So, we took Seven Railroads Brewing a needed break which gave us Company, Connecticut Valley

booking and paper crafts, $8 at the door. Parking is $5 (collected by ESE Fairgrounds). 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. 413-7372443 or www.thebige.com.

SATURDAY Celebrating the Art of Witnessing — A Community Movement Workshop: Sat, 4:30 p.m. Zion Lutheran Church. Join in for a joyful, family-friendly experience of expressive movement and intergenerational collaborative dance-making led by Jacob’s Pillow Curriculum in Motion artists Michael Richter and Alexis Diggs, in collaboration with the Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church. No dance experience needed. Children must be accompanied by a participating adult. Preregistration is encouraged. For questions about accessibility accommodations, contact community@jacobspillow. org, Free. 74 1st St., Pittsfield;

Connecticut Morgan Horse Show: StamperCon: Fri, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; See Thursday listing Connecticut Morgan Horse Show: Sat, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Eastern States See Thursday listing Exposition, Better Living Center.

First Fridays — Puzzle Swap: Fri, Retail consumer show featuring art StamperCon: See Friday listing 5 p.m. Downtown Turners Falls, rubber stamps, card making, scrapNeed to refresh your puzzle colSEE CALENDAR, PAGE D10

Brewing Company, One Way Brewing, Arcpoint Brewing Co., Censored Munky Brewing Co., Rustic Brewing Company, White Lion Brewing Company, Little Willow Brewing Company, Berkshire Brewing Company, Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, Libation, Katalyst Kombucha and Craft Soda, Amherst Brewing, Artifact Cicer Project, The Shed Brewery, Commercial Distributing Co., Blue Moon Brewing Co., Greater Good Imperial Brewing Co. and Leienkugels’s.

“Volunteers donate their time to support the museum and brewers and wineries donate their samples as well.

There is a real sense of community at the event with everyone coming together to reach a common goal,” Barry said.

To help raise additional funds for the Amelia Park Chidlren’s Museum, there will be several raffles, including a chance to win one of two coolers filled with beer and products from the event’s vendors.

For some bites between pours, food trucks will be on site, including Macken’s

Specialty Sliders, North Elm Butcher Block, Skyline Beer Co. with their “famous” pretzel, and Pig Candy’s “incredible” candied bacon, Barry noted.

While no beer will be sold at the event, visitors can purchase and bring home natural beer soaps from Hop Hollow, dog treats from Treats by Tori, Mad Dog Scrap Metal Art, Coastal-Art handmade coasters, custom magnets made on the spot by The Snarky Moms Club, Beer with Beards selling beard/beer apparel and novelties, What Drams May Come who transform decommissioned whisky barrels into rustic home décor items, and for anyone planning a trip Cruise Planners can help with your land and cruise travels.

“We are also going to showcase Memorial Hall Museum’s new exhibit, Brewing Massachusetts: How Beer Shaped the Bay State, which recently opened at historic Old Deerfield,” Barry said.

Musical acts throughout the day include The Attik Band, AXIS, and Whiskey Traveler.

No worries about the weather, Barry noted.

“We go on rain or shine. Last year there was a torrential downpour, and we still had 470 people show up to support the museum. The brewers and vendors are under tents as well as the performance stage to help protect everyone,” he said.

The event’s co-chair applauded the venue’s host, the City of Westfield, its headline sponsor Tin Bridge Brewing Company, and their many local businesses and sponsors.

“If it wasn’t for their backing, this event could not happen,” Barry said.

General Admission tickets for Whip City Brewfest are $45 in advance online at whip citybrewfest.com. General admission tickets also will be sold at the door beginning at 1 p.m. for $50, as capacity permits. VIP early-admission tickets, available only in advance, are $55 and include entry one-hour early at noon and a VIP-only goodie bag.

Designated driver tickets are $20. All attendees must be 21 or older with a valid ID. For tickets and more information, visit whipcitybrew fest.com.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

STAMP IT!

WEEKEND

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026 | D9

Eat Drink Local VOTE BEST Locally Owned Restaurant.

StamperCon returns to Eastern States Exposition this weekend

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10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Stamping is one of the largest categories in the craft and hobby industry, according to Altenew, a paper-crafting brand that designs and manufactures

By Keith O’Connor premium supplies for card Special to The Republican making, scrapbooking, and mixed media. Over 4 million ids have individuals in the United long used States make use of different types of stamps —and they rubber not just for scrapbooking, stamps for are but are also extensively used craft activ- for gift cards, handmade cards, decorative ornaments, ities, while for some journaling, tags, planners adults, the casual and more.

StamperCon is produced childhood hobby of

by Scott and Lynn Anderstamping often grows son, who own Blue Knight into a more serious Rubber Stamps in Maryland. hobby of self-expres- The couple purchased three stamper shows four years sion. ago from Heirloom ProducThis weekend’s Stampertions — Allentown and York, Con on the grounds of the Pennsylvania as well as in Eastern States Exposition is West Springfield. a two-day retail and hobby A stamper for over 20 show focused on rubber art years, Lynn enjoys making stamps, cardmaking, scrapbeautiful cards. booking and paper arts and “It was something I could supplies. Visitors will find art do while raising kids,” she stamps, paper, cardstock and said about the hobby, which envelopes, inks and pads, then grew into a business, die-cuts, brass stencils, glitter, including an online store and embossing powder, tools, now a production company. pencils, pens and markers, “StamperCon is a fun embellishments and more. place. It’s toy shopping for Show hours in the Better adults. You won’t find any Living Center are Friday from SEE STAMP, PAGE D10

WEEKEND

D10 | THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026

Calendar CONTINUES FROM PAGE D8

SUNDAY Amherst History Society Summer 2026 Walking Tours: Amherst History Museum, Factory Hallow: Downstream Mill River. To register, visit amhersthistory.org. This walking tour is strictly limited to 20 people and registration is required, $10 for Amherst Historical Society members, $15 for nonmembers. 67 Amity St., Amherst.

Novi Cantori presents “Take Care of This House”: Sun, 4 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Society, Freewill donation. 245 Porter Lake Drive, Springfield.

Smack Dap Queer Open Mic: Sun., 6:30 p.m. LAVA Center, sign-ups begin at 6:30 p.m. and performances start at 7 p.m. 324 Main St., Greenfield.

Quadrangle George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: Permanent exhibitions include Asian decorative arts, Japanese arms and armor, Chinese cloisonné, American and European paintings, antiquities, and rare decorative objects.

Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: “Declaration of Innovation: Springfield’s Revolutionary Ideas,” through Sept.

27. Permanent exhibits include vintage automobiles, Indian motorcycles, historic firearms, Hasbro GameLand, and other industrial and cultural artifacts.

pterosaurs. Permanent exhibits include dinosaurs, African wildlife, interactive STEM labs, Earth’s ecosystems, and immersive planetarium shows.

Bedford Terrace, Northampton or www.scma.smith.edu.

The New England Visionary Artists Museum: The New England Visionary Artists Museum in Northampton Quadrangle admission - $25 for adults, has five exhibition showrooms $17.50 for seniors (60+), $16.50 college hosting N.E. artists’ work in all students with ID, $13 for children ages media and is home to Anchor House 3-17; free to children under age 3 and of Artists, the region’s subsidized members, Springfield residents are studio and representation support free with proof of residency. Special to artists living with neurodiverse exhibit fees may apply to all visitors. conditions. Hours are Wednesday Welcome Center and Museum store. through Saturday, 2-6 p.m., with Closed Mon, Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; regular free public receptions on Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. the second Friday of the month, from 5-8 p.m. For more information, go online to NEVA-museum.org or call 413-588-4337. Pleasant St., Northampton

Museums

Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum: Permanent exhibit: Guided tours of the first and second floors weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Self-guided tours are on the hour with the last self-guided tour weekdays at 2 p.m. Call to reserve at 413-637-3206. Admission is $18 adults, $17 seniors (65+), $10 students with ID, $7 children 5-17, and free for children 4 and younger.

104 Walker St., Lenox or www.

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art: “Cooking with Eric Carle,” gildedage.org.

Volleyball Hall of Fame: Permanent through Aug. 23. “Under the Cork exhibit. Open Tues.-Sun, 11 a.m.-3 Tree: The Story of Ferdinand,” p.m. Closed Mon. Last admission is through Nov. 8. Included with 30 minutes prior to close. Admismuseum admisison. 125 West Bay sion is $8 adults; $5 seniors 65 Road, Amherst or www.carlemuand older; $5 students, active and seum.org.

Norman Rockwell Museum: Online retired military; and free for children 12 and under. Group rates also availexhibit: “Imagining Freedom.” $5 able online. 444 Dwight St., Holyoke for the general public, accessible or www.volleyhall.org. on the museum’s website at NRM. Amelia Park Children’s Museum: Permanent exhibits open to visitors.

Hours: Tue.-Tue., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Open for groups Wed. Admission is $8 adults; $8 children (12 months and older); $4 grandparents/seniors (60+); free members/infants. Military personnel and teachers receive a 10% discount off the price of regular admission. 29 South Broad St., Westfield or www.ameliaparkmuseum.org.

org. “Norman Rockwell’s Historic Stockbridge Studio Guided Tours,” through Nov. 8. Tour dates and times available at NRM.org/Visit.

Reservations required. “Shine Michele and Donald D’Amour A Light: The Art and Life of Deb Museum of Fine Arts: “One Foot Koffman,” through June 7. “Amerin Two Places” by Olwen O’Herlihy ican Stories Gala,” June 6, 6 p.m., Dowling, through Oct. 4. “Maran evening marking 250 years of kets, Foodways, and the Essence American stories and honoring the of Place: Works from the Museo extraordinary 40-year leadership de Arte de Ponce,” through Sept. of Laurie Norton Moffatt. Tickets 6, on the first floor of the Alpert Gallery. Museum a la Carte. June 4, start at $125 and can be purchased 12:15 p.m. “Crafting Independence: online. 9 Route 183, Stockbridge or www.nrm.org.

How an Unprecedented Construction Project on Lake Champlain Smith College Museum of Art: Preserved the Revolution.” Cost SCMA Exhibition “Crafting Worlds,” $4, free for members. Presented through Aug. 23. This installation

by Dr. Kenneth Cohen, Chair of explores how artisans in Japan Military History and Curator of Early utilized materials and handcrafted American History, National Museum techniques to forge social relationof American History. On the first ships and engage with the world Wed. of every month through the around them. It features lacquerend of 2026, admission is free for ware, ceramics, bamboo baskets, all visitors. and metalwork. “Don’t Mind if I Do” exhibit, through June 28. Artists Springfield Science Museum: include: Lukaza Branfman-Veris“Dinosaurs Still Live: The Story simo, Pelenakeke Brown, Sky of Archosaurs.” This dynamic, Cubacub, Emilie L. Gossiaux, Felicia 1,400-square-foot gallery in the Springfield Science Museum invites Griffin, Joselia Rebekah Hughes, Jeff Kasper, and Finnegan Shannon. visitors of all ages to uncover the Curator: Lauren Leving. All exhibits surprising connections between at Smith College free. Elm Street at dinosaurs, birds, crocodilians, and

Windsor Historical Society: Permanent exhibit. Hours: Wed.-Sat. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with house tours at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. General admission to the library and historic houses is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students and free to children under 12 and WHS members. 96 Palisade Ave., Windsor or www.windsorhistoricalsociety. org.

Wistariahurst Museum: Permanent exhibit: Gardens and grounds open daily from dawn to dusk. Carriage House and gift shop open Mon.Fri. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For information about house tours, group tours and upcoming events visit www. wistariahurst.org. Admission: $7 Holyoke residents; $5 seniors; $5 youth (under 18); free active military and family members, museum members. 238 Cabot St., Holyoke.

Yiddish Book Center: Permanent exhibit, “A Velt mit veltelekh: The Worlds of Jewish Culture.” Opn Thurs, Fri, Sun, and Mon. from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Shabbos (Saturday) and Jewish and legal holidays. $8 adults, $6 seniors, free for members, students and children.

1021 West St., Amherst or www. yiddishbookcenter.org.

%%SPZONE

Stamp CONTINUES FROM PAGE D9

grumpy people, everyone is here for a good time,” she added.

Anderson noted one of the newest activities introduced at StamperCon is the Golden Ticket Game.

“We give every vendor each day five envelopes. Four are silver tickets and one is a gold ticket,” she explained.

A silver ticket sends the winner to a bin of small stamps and various other fun items to choose from. The one gold ticket is a $25 gift certificate to use at any booth along with the chance to win the StamperCon basket at the end of the day.

“It’s filled with scrapbooking and stamping supplies worth over $200,” Anderson said.

“We have left it up to the vendor how to award one of the envelopes from setting specific times in the day to present one to a customer or as an extra to a specific product they might be buying,” she added.

Among the 25 vendors with booths at the show will be Marco’s Paper & Crafts from Ohio and Too Much Fun Rubber Stamps from Washington.

“We’re known for making stamps and have about 2,000 of our own original rubber stamp designs,” said Michelle Linderman, who owns Too Much Fun Rubber Stamps with her husband, Steve Linderman.

“I was a teacher and my husband was about to retire from the U.S. Air Force. We were looking for a means of self-employment and through a chain of events discovered stamping was a good fit for us and started the company,” she added.

Visitors to the Too Much Fun Rubber Stamps booth will find all the materials needed for their craft hobby from stamps to dyes and paper — over 1,000 scrapbooking papers — to all kinds of embellishments.

“We take a lot of time to make our own examples to display that customers can

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then go home and make or take our idea and adapt it to their own design,” Anderson said.

The couple also promote their own rubber stamp conventions, scrapbook expos, and paper crafting events in New York, Indiana, Tennessee and Michigan.

Greg Smallwood of Marcos’s Paper and Crafts will be staffing their booth at StamperCon. “The West Springfield show is one of the first shows we ever did and I look forward to traveling to New England again this year and seeing familiar faces. They have loved us over the years and we love them,” Smallwood said.

Marco’s Paper and Crafts began in 1971 as a small printing company.

“We used to put scrap paper out in the front room.

One day about 30 years ago paper crafters came in and told us we needed to market to them. A column in a local paper also helped and that is how we eventually evolved into what we are today. And it happened at a good time for us as the small printing industry was beginning to die,” Smallwood said.

Today the company, which operates a brick-and-mortar store in Centerville, Ohio, focuses on the sale of paper-crafting materials and accessories, specialty stationery, cardstock, envelops cutting dies and more.

“Our customers help us determine what to carry for them,” Smallwood said, adding that they will be bringing a lot of paper and “a little bit of everything” to the show” General admission tickets for StamperCon are $6 online or $8 at the door.

For an additional $25, you can participate in the show’s “Shop, Crop & Craft.”

“You are basically renting a table for the entire day where you shop and crop by bringing your own crafting materials to work on stamping or scrapbooking projects in-between shopping,” Anderson said.

For more information on the event, visit stampercon. net.

WEEKEND

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026 | D11

PRIDE ROUNDUP Below is a look at how some other cities and towns in Western Massachusetts are celebrating Pride Month.

• Amherst: The town of Amherst will host a Pride Parade & Celebration on Sunday, June 28, from noon to 3 p.m. The parade will step off from Amherst-Pelham Regional High School and end at the Amherst Town Common, where a resource fair and live performances will follow.

• Becket: The Berkshire Pride art exhibit, showcasing the works of 15 local LGBTQ+ artists, will open to the public on June 13 at the Becket Arts Center. A reception will be held from 2 to 4 p.m.

The exhibit itself will be open through July 5.

• Belchertown: The Belchertown Pride Festival takes place on Saturday, June 20, from noon to 5 p.m. on the Town Common, rain or shine. It features vendors, food trucks, live music and a drag show.

• Charlemont: Zoar Outdoor’s annual “Pride Day on the River” will take place on Saturday, June 13. All LGBTQ+ people and allies are invited to paddle down the Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River starting at noon. An afterparty will take place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Zoar Outdoor, 7 Main St. • Chicopee: The Chicopee Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, June 13, from noon to 6 p.m. at Szot Park. The free, family-friendly event will feature live music, vendors, food trucks and more.

• Holyoke: Holyoke Pride has several events this month, including a queer prom for youth on June 5 at 5 p.m.; the Buen Provecho Drag Brunch on June 7 at 11 a.m. at Fame Lounge; and the Holyoke Pride Rainbow Run on June 13 at 10 a.m. at Ashley Reservoir. The free Holyoke Pride Festival takes place on Saturday, June 27, from noon to 6 p.m. at Veterans Park, followed by a Pride afterparty from 6 to 11 p.m. at The Wauregan and a “Skate with Pride” event on June 28 at 1 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Arena.

• Lee: The Lee Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, June 13. The all-day event starts with an interfaith Pride Prayer Breakfast at First Congregational Church of Lee from 9-10 a.m., followed by a farmers market, drag story hour, drag bingo, and live music at Park Place.

• Lenox: The Lenox Pride celebration will take place on June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lilac Park. The free, family-friendly event will include creative crafts for kids and live music.

• Pittsfield: The 10th annual Pride on the Common celebration takes place on Saturday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Pittsfield Town Common. The free festival will feature live music and entertainment, food trucks, vendors and more.

• Westfield: Westfield Pride has several events this weekend, including an “Out & About” social program at Fame Lounge & Eatery in Holyoke on June 5 at 5 p.m. On June 6, a Stonewall Memorial will be installed at Park Square, honoring the 57th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. The “Rainbow Over Elm” festival takes place on June 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Elm Street Plaza and will feature a family equality picnic, food trucks, community activities, and a family-friendly drag performance by Magnolia Masquerade & Friends.

On June 7, from 6-7 p.m., a Pride Ecumenical Service will be offered at First United Methodist Church.

The rain didn't stop youth from dancing and having a good time at the 2025 Springfield Pride Parade. (HEATHER RUSH PHOTO)

Pride

tion since its inception.

“Ray is not only an amazing partner and sponsor, but a great CONTINUES FROM PAGE D3 personal friend of mine,” Bethea said, adding that for the past from a stuffy little gala, and now several years, White Lion has we’re just going to have a great matched funds raised for student time,” Bethea said. scholarships, raising the amount You can register a team for distributed annually from $1,500 the bowling fundraiser on the to $3,000.

Springfield Pride Parade’s webLike the parade, there is no adsite. Fees start from $250 for mission price for the block party, a community team to $1,000 for a corporate team. If you just which will include specialty cockwant to come as a guest and tails, local food trucks, vendors enjoy live music, a cash bar, and and, of course, live music. festivities, general passes can be While an exact lineup of perpurchased for $35, while a VIP formers was not yet available at the time of this interview, Bethea guest experience can be purchased for $75. did stress one important thing — The next day, Springfield Pride that all entertainment this year will be homegrown.

Parade steps off at noon from STCC and will march its way “The Springfield and Western down to Stearns Square, where Mass. area has such amazing talent, and we’ve seen the growth of the block party will follow.

Hundreds marched in the Springall of the talent that we have been True to his mission of upliftfield Pride Parade in downtown ing the youth, Bethea often asks through within the past five years Springfield last year, including this students to be front and center, to the point they’re prepared to very friendly superhero. (STEVE SMITH leading the parade. headline this thing themselves,” he said. “We don’t need celebrity big “It’s a tradition,” he said. “They PHOTO) start the parade so they’re in front garden across from Tower Square. names anymore, because the city has showed up with the amazing with the mayor, holding up signs.

“We’re activating the PrideThey are the ones that lead the talent, so we felt, let’s just keep it at lands,” Bethea said. “You can’t parade downtown.” home and really highlight all of the even make that up. It’s actually The excitement kicks up a notch called the ‘Pride’-lands.” great talents in our area.”

For more information about for the downtown block party Bethea noted that Raymond Pride Weekend festivities and how which, this year, will spill over Berry, the owner of White Lion into White Lion Brewing’s Pride- Brewing, has been a partner of the you can get involved, go online to lands on Main Street outdoor beer Springfield Pride Parade organiza- springfieldprideparade.org.

WEEKEND

D12 | THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

Larkin

filming her TV special in the Berkshires, where she raised her family and where the CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4 story began. producer and the award-winAn earlier incarnation of ning narrator of over 280 the show, then called “Grief…

The Musical,” was seen in audiobooks, including her No. 1 best-selling recording 2022 at the Great Barrington Public Theatre. It later of “The Complete Novels of Jane Austen.” evolved into “Grief … A ComShe is the founder of edy,” selling out at Barrington Stage in 2024 before headlinAlison Larkin Presents, an award-winning audiobook ing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Soho Theatre company based in the Berkin London, to packed houses shires.

As an actress she appeared and high critical acclaim. on and off-Broadway. Her Performances are June 12 at 7 p.m. and June 13 at 2 p.m. wide range of voices can be Tickets are available online at heard in countless movies, games and cartoons from Mahaiwe.org or by contacting the Mahaiwe Box Office “Grand Theft Auto 5” to the movie “Fargo” to “The Won- Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at 413der Pets.”

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Christa Joy and her band Christa Joy and the Honey Bees will play the Bands on Brewster music series in downtown Northampton in August.

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The Fawns and Gentle Hen (which both mostly share the same band members) will CONTINUES FROM PAGE D4 kick off the new month on from soul to jazz to rock — Aug. 6 with a double-edged sword of catchy pop-rock on June 25, while July 9 will and jangly guitars. Aug. 13 see Easthampton’s Hot Dirt will feature the jazz/folk/pop (experimental rock) and Goldsetter (psychedelic rock) blend of Indë, while Aug. 20 will see Christa Joy and the kick off a new month of the Honey Bees play their brand series. July 16 will feature a delightful pairing of pop, of Americana with a country as King Radio and Simple flair.

The Aug. 27 season closer Friend combine their efforts, with other friends joining in. had yet to be announced at Peter Mulvey and Jenna press time.

The series is free and Nichols bring their 2025 family-friendly. In the event project, Floyd Mercantile, to the Brewster stage on July of rain, look for the “Show/ 23, while the month winds No-Show” announcement on the @nohoarts Instagram down on July 30 with the page by 10 a.m. the day of the sardonic and political songs of Stoner Will and the Narks, show. along with the indie rock of Look for more outdoor summer music series in next Original Cowards. week’s Live Wire column.

Longtime local favorites