CHICOPEE — U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and challenger U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton clashed over leadership, policy and experience during their first head-to-head debate on July 8 at the WWLP TV-22 Studios.
The format, which offered voters a preview of the race ahead of the Sept. 1 primary, included a panel of Tony Fay from WWLP, Dave Madsen from Western Mass News, Elizabeth Román from NEPM and Jim Kinney of The Republican-MassLive asking the candidates questions. The debate covered a range of topics, including age and experience, ethics and finances, healthcare, transgender athletes, infrastructure, immigration and the West-East Rail.
Markey, the incumbent, is looking to secure another sixyear term. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1976. He has served in the Senate since 2013. If victorious, Markey said this would be his last time running for reelection, “I need one more term to finish the agenda, this progressive agenda,” Markey stated. “And then I will step down. But we need to complete the agenda. We need Medicare for all, we need a green new deal, we need to make sure that we are fighting for every family who is out there who justifiably feels that they have been left behind.”
Moulton said he thinks the U.S. Senate could use a bit of a tune-up and argued for a new generation of leaders. Moulton is currently the U.S. Representative for Massachusetts’ Sixth District, which is composed of most of Essex County, including Tewksbury, Lynn and Gloucester.
and we need a fighter,” Moulton said. “We need someone who’s going to change the playbook, invest in a new generation of the years and start making Democrats win again.”
On the topic of his age and if it could affect his ability to serve the commonwealth, Markey stated, “This is the most energized I’ve ever been. Fighting [President] Donald Trump every single day, fighting his agenda to undermine families all across our country.”
Moulton stated that the focus should not be on Markey’s age but rather on the fact that the playbook has not been working for the last 50 years.
“We need new ideas and a new playbook because a 50-year-old playbook is just not delivering for our country, for Massachusetts,” Moulton stated.
Moulton spoke about his American Affordability Agenda, a comprehensive plan focused on housing, healthcare and education. He said he believes housing, healthcare and education should be human rights.
the defense budget seven months ago, giving $1 billion to conduct the wars in Venezuela and Iran.
“My goal is to continue to fight for every day, to make sure every child has a very strong floor and an unlimited ceiling, and we’re going to need the healthcare and education money in order to accomplish that goal,” Markey stated.
The topic that caused the most debate between the two candidates was the issue of transgender athletes. The Supreme Court recently upheld state laws in Idaho and West Virginia that ban transgender women and girls from competing in women’s and girls’ sports at public schools and universities.
Fay noted that Moulton publicly condemned the Supreme Court ruling, but in 2024, he was quoted in the New York Times saying that Democrats “spent too much time trying not to offend anyone” and that he wouldn’t want his daughters “getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athletes.”
hateful Trump administration.”
Markey claimed that the LGBTQ community has endorsed him in this race and applauded Fay’s question because “after the 2024 election, Congressman Moulton decided that he was going to throw trans kids under the bus, the political bus, and blame them for the loss of the 2024 election.”
Looking at Western Massachusetts specifically, the candidates discussed the highly anticipated West-East Rail, which Markey said he and his colleague, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, secured $157 million in federal funding for.
Moulton argued that the current proposed speed of the train is too slow, and the funding secured will only pay for “10 miles of rail,” which is not enough to get to Boston.
“No one’s going to ride your train because it’s too slow, and you’ve had 50 years in Washington to get this done, and it’s not done,” Moulton stated. “Meanwhile, the rest of the world is passing us by.”
CHICOPEE
Chicopee approves funding for Real-Time Information Center analysts
Positions in Chicopee that were originally slashed from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department budget will now be restored. Page 4
HOLYOKE
Schermerhorn’s Seafood returns under new owners
For many longtime residents, the wait is finally over; Schermerhorn’s has reopened its doors.
Page 6
“A lot of people in Massachusetts feel like they don’t have a voice in politics, and they’re struggling to afford basic needs,
Markey said he supports Medicare for all and has supported the Millionaires Tax in 2022 that raised $5 billion to pay for education for kids in schools in Massachusetts. He also opposed
At the debate, Moulton said he stands with everyone in the LGBTQ community. “I stand with you because I always stood with you. I have seen the pain you are going through because of this
Moulton argued that if Massachusetts had a high-speed rail between Springfield and Boston,
See DEBATE on page 2 JULY 16, 2026 | FREE
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton (left) and U.S. Sen. Ed Markey (right) talk to reporters after their first debate.
Reminder Publishing photos by Tyler Garnet
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SOUTH HADLEY — With the Selectboard mulling over the idea of hosting another special election, the School Committee decided to advocate for an override vote in September during its July 6 meeting.
Over the past few Selectboard meetings, the board has discussed potential dates to host another tax override vote, including a special election on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
During the May 5 Selectboard meeting, Town Administrator Lisa Wong presented the board with potential dates for a tax override vote: Sept. 1, Nov. 3 or April 13, 2027.
The Selectboard voted that it prefers the Sept. 1 date, but it has until July 27 to make it official. No official vote has been taken as of press time.
With the potential for another tax override, the School Committee and Superintendent Jennifer Voyik discussed different projected budgets for fiscal year 2028.
Voyik said that the school district could assume that no override would give the School Department approximately a maximum 1% increase from FY27 to FY28, which would mean South Hadley Public Schools’ FY28 budget would total $26.5 million.
After Town Meeting approved $1.2 million in free cash to fund the gap and save some city services in the FY27 school budget,
one could get from downtown [Springfield] to downtown [Boston] in 40 minutes, connecting the state and enhancing job opportunities.
The debate also focused on rising healthcare costs and changes to Medicare and Medicaid that are taking place this fall, changes that many say will hurt beneficiaries.
Markey said, “Next year, after we win the majority in the Senate, I will be the chair of the Health Subcommittee in the Unit-
the schools’ operating budget for FY27 increased to $27.8 million.
Voyik said the projected budget from FY27 to FY28 would be approximately $1.3 million less, but she further stated that the deficit could be $2-2.25 million due to contractual increases, without an override.
She also explained that without an override, the district would once again be looking at the loss of programs and positions that include no high school sports, no extracurricular activities, no electives, no middle school and high school music, and no honors or Advanced Placement classes.
Voyik also said School Choice and families leaving the district are something the district will have to monitor due to the uncertainty of next year’s budget. She noted that she would rather a potential tax override vote take place in September, so families can plan sooner before next year’s budget discussions.
South Hadley hosted its tax override vote on April 14, and the residents chose not to support the $9 million and $11 million tax override options.
“The vote wasn’t until April. There were families that already visited schools, already decided to leave. So, no matter what we do, we’re already going to see a dip in the next year,” Voyik stated. “I think if we don’t know sooner rather than later what next year is going to look like, I think
ed States Senate.” He said his first order of business would be to restore all the Medicare cuts, including the $1 trillion that the Trump administration cut from the budget. He also wants to restore the $300 billion from the Affordable Care Act.
“And then we have to go beyond that. We have to double funding for community health centers. We have to double the funding for [National Institutes of Health] research,” Markey said. “In Western Massachusetts, I have stood up and have fought. I have met with all the hospital leaders out here, and we are going to deliver beginning of Janu-
a statement for
town and Selectboard to show its support for a tax override vote to take place in September.
we’re going to have the same thing happen a year from now.”
Voyik also said it will be easier if the vote is in September so that the district can make one budget instead of multiple budgets due to possible outcomes and scenarios.
School Committee Chair Eric Friesner stated that he thinks the schools could benefit from an override and proposed that a statement be sent to the Selectboard.
“I would prefer more longevity, but I think that certainly for FY28, we should level service fund the schools so that we’re not looking at cuts again,” Friesner stated. “I think that we need to have a plan moving forward for the four positions that we’ve added with that strategic $300,000 investment.”
Ultimately, the committee decided to send the statement to the
ary of next year.”
Moulton said he agreed with Markey’s ideas, but stated, “This doesn’t happen by magic. You have to fight to win the majority.”
Both candidates spoke against current immigration laws and agreed that they must continue to fight for those in the minority communities who feel they are under attack.
After the debate, Markey said, “It’s No Kings, it’s indivisible, and I’m a leader of this movement because we have to just have a higher vision for what the Democratic Party stands for, and that’s Medicare, that’s the green new deal, that’s taxing billion-
Selectboard, which read, “The South Hadley School Committee respectfully asks the Selectboard to support placing a Proposition 2 ½ override before the voters on Sept. 1. This override would be used to fund a level service budget for the FY28 school budget. Without an override, the district would be facing at least a $2 million deficit before accounting for any contractual increases. This would create a significant gap between the funding available and the cost of maintaining current services for students.”
It continued, “We also ask the town to consider at a future time if and how to continue funding four additional positions strategically funded for FY27 using free cash. These positions were added to help slow the loss of funding
aires. That’s not self-enrichment but the enrichment of every family in our country.”
Moulton also provided a final message after the debate.
“I thought it was great. It was a clear contrast between a senator who’s been in Washington for 50 years and is very comfortable bending the establishment and the status quo. Talked a lot about the different things that have been tried over the last 50 years, most of which have failed, and in contrast, I’m putting forward new ideas, a new vision, a new generation of leadership, with a simple acknowledgment that the old plans haven’t worked.”
The School Committee drafts
the
Photo credit: SHCTV15
Locals participate in East Longmeadow’s Fourth of July Parade
Organizations and businesses based in
and
participated in
EAST LONGMEADOW —
Chicopee
Holyoke
this year’s East Longmeadow Fourth of July Parade. Top row, from left: The color guard leads the Civil Air Patrol.The Civil Air Patrol marches down Mapleshade Avenue. A member of the Westover Young Marines program marches in formation. Mychal Connolly of Stand Out Truck smiles as he maneuvers down the parade route. Middle row, from left: Melha Shriners cruise down the parade route in a Jeep. A Melha bagpiper plays a tune. A Melha Shriners clown sports a mini-motorcycle. Bottom row, from left: A Melha rider sports a unique and festive Fourth of July look. The Melha Shriners show off their skills on the ramp truck. Melha Shriner mini-cars zoom past parade-goers. The Melha Shriners show off their skills on the ramp truck.
Reminder Publishing photos by Chris Maza
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — Mayor John Vieau recently appointed a task force team to begin reviewing and considering changes to the city’s real estate tax billing process. According to the mayor’s office, the change would mean that the process would go from biannual real estate tax billing to quarterly billing.
In a press release, the city said the decision to consider this possibility comes from the recent non-binding question on the ballot from the election in November 2025.
The question was brought to the ballot after a vote from the City Council. However, it has been a discussion topic for years, after many surrounding
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — Positions in Chicopee that were originally slashed from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department budget will now be restored thanks to a recent appropriation. At its July 7 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved $219,000 to fund three analysts at its Real-Time Information Center.
The appropriation comes almost three months after Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi announced that, due to budget restraints, his department would no longer fund multiple partnerships with police departments throughout the county, including the collaboration with Chicopee.
Before the cuts, the Sheriff’s Department staffed three full-time
cities and towns have implemented quarterly real estate tax billing.
During the Sept. 2, 2025, City Council meeting, the council approved adding a non-binding question to the Nov. 4 municipal ballot that would gather feedback on potentially implementing a quarterly tax payment system instead of the biannual system that is currently used.
Raj Sanghvi, a previous city collector candidate and Chicopee business owner, was the one who originally asked the council to put the question on the ballot.
Sanghvi explained, “Many of us have talked about the collection of taxes and the current payment system. While talking with residents and business owners, I have been asked why the city is not on a quarterly
analysts at the city’s Real-Time Information Center, a five-person operation that uses camera networks and artificial intelligence-assisted software to support investigations and public safety efforts across Hampden County.
During the City Council meeting on July 7, Mayor John Vieau presented an order to appropriate $219,000 to the Police Special Account for Hampden County Sheriff’s Office Real-Time Information Center analysts from available funds in the fiscal year 2027 tax levy.
“This was an oversight in the budget,” Vieau stated. “In order to maintain the Real-Time Information Center and to continue protecting our community, we have come up with an MOU [memorandum of understanding] to keep those three employees on
payment system like our neighboring cities and towns. They indicated that it is difficult to pay two large bills every year and would prefer lower quarterly bills. The quarterly payment process would be easier for budgeting and would better match their cash receipts.”
He researched what other communities were doing for tax payments and discovered that all of Chicopee’s neighboring communities have quarterly payments.
In November 2025, the Chicopee residents voted in favor of switching the biannual real estate tax billing to quarterly billing by a tally of 2,599-2,038.
The idea is, instead of getting billed twice a year, residents can budget more and control when the bigger bills are coming un-
payroll in the Sheriff’s Department, where they’re actually paid through the police budget. It was in the budget, but it was put in the wrong area, so we need, for clarity, to allocate these funds out of the levy.”
Chicopee Police Captain Doug Lambert explained that to make sure this money was allocated, the Chicopee Police Department took $33,750 from a software they received at a 50% discount. They also took $135,250 from public safety technology and $50,000 from camera installation and maintenance in their budget to make sure they had $219,000 for the analysts.
The RTIC, which was founded in 2025, aims to strengthen the department’s ability to organize, verify and share critical information during serious incidents and
der a quarterly billing process.
The recently appointed task force will review requirements, resources, policies, procedures, benefits, costs and impacts of any move from biannual to quarterly billing before ultimately making a recommendation on the matter.
The task force members appointed by Vieau are City Council President Frank Laflamme, City Collector Sandra Peret, City Assessor Laura McCarthy, City Treasurer Marie Laflamme, Senior System Analyst IT Tammy Shaefer, System Analyst IT Dawn Fortin, Director IT Ron Rivet, City Auditor Tiana Steffenhagen and Mayor’s Chief of Staff Michael Pise.
According to the press release from the city, the realistic timeline for implementing
the change to quarterly billing would be about one calendar year, with a likely start date of Aug. 1, 2027. This change would fall within fiscal year 2028, according to the mayor’s office, which said the task force is seeking the most practical and effective solution for residents.
In addition, state guidelines outline specific billing procedures, due date requirements and approval processes that municipalities must follow when implementing a quarterly tax system, adding further complexity to the transition, according to the city.
For more information on quarterly billing, the mayor’s office said in the press release that they encourage residents to visit the Division of Local Services website at mass.gov.
investigations, according to the city. The center provides real-time operational support, investigative assistance and crime analysis, serving as a centralized hub where information can be rapidly accessed, analyzed and shared.
The operations center covers any public safety matter, from
major to minor and operates on an incident-driven model. Camera systems, digital evidence tools and investigative databases are used only to support active incidents, emergencies or investigations, according to the city. The system also incorporates the use of artificial intelligence to help the analysts work with the officers to try to identify a person or vehicle when reporting a crime. Analysts can also step in to help communicate with other officers during a pursuit.
Mayor John Vieau talks to the City Council about an allocation to fund three Real-Time Information Center analysts at the July 7 meeting.
Photo credit: ChicopeeTV
HOLYOKE
Schermerhorn’s Seafood returns under new owners
By Tyler Garnet tgarnet@thereminder.com
HOLYOKE — For many longtime Holyoke residents, the wait is finally over; Schermerhorn’s Seafood has reopened its doors at 224 Westfield Road on July 1 after a two-year hiatus. In just that short amount of time since it opened, co-owner and Chef Mick Corduff said they’ve already been “inundated with support” from the community.
After two years of wondering when the 114-year-old restaurant would reopen, patrons have not hesitated to check out the seafood restaurant. Corduff said the restaurant has been busy every night so far, experiencing 30-45 minute wait times for lunch and nearly an hour for dinner.
He said he expects the wait to go down once everyone gets to explore the space and the staff irons out some early kinks.
“I think it was expected to have some heavy volume, but I think we’re a little surprised ourselves to the extent of the volume,” Corduff stated.
Corduff said that right now, he thinks that lunch guests are viewing the restaurant as more of a meeting spot instead of a quick “grab and go,” and he expects lunch to have less of a wait once they are settled in.
After temporarily closing in 2024 because new ownership wanted to renovate, Corduff said the construction took longer than expected due to a stop-work order from the city because of a disagreement regarding building permits.
Corduff explained that although he and co-owner and property developer Frank A. DeMarinis had their frustrations, they were able to work through the lengthy process thanks to the community support.
“We finally crossed the finish line. We have all our permits, we have all our certificates of occupancy, all the licenses necessary, the liquor licenses, and the Board of Health has been through, and everything’s passed with flying colors,” Corduff stated. “[We’re] excited just like the community.”
Schermerhorn’s has been providing Holyoke and Western Massachusetts with fresh Maine lob-
sters since 1912. All their seafood, including steamer clams, swordfish, and lobster, comes in live and fresh from Maine.
Corduff and his team have put their own spin on the Holyoke seafood staple while maintaining the overall integrity of the business.
Schermerhorn’s now features a full bar and includes an ice cream counter, a newly renovated sitdown restaurant and a seafood market that includes beer and wine sales. The restaurant will also feature full table service instead of the previous counter service.
“It’s a completely new look,” Corduff stated. “It’s the same floor plan, meaning market on one side and dining room on the other. The only thing that’s changed is the ice cream is inside.”
Corduff said someone from the restaurant continues to drive to the docks in Boston and other communities to regularly pick up seafood. He said they have three vendors they primarily deal with to get the lobster, fish and other fresh products they need.
Schermerhorn’s menu is currently for dine-in only. Takeout
orders are not being accepted. They are open every day except Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the restaurant will be open later on Friday and Saturday. The market, which features the ice cream counter, will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Corduff said the best way for people to find out more information and updates on the restaurant and market is to either visit
its Facebook page or website at schermerhornseafood.com.
“I would say to the community, maybe a little bit of patience with the long lines for a couple more weeks as we get through the honeymoon period, as we tweak our recipes and tweak processes and get the staff fully trained,” Corduff said in a message to customers. “The ultimate goal is great food, great service.”
Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co. taproom to close
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co. has announced final call on its West Springfield taproom as it prepares to stop operations due to rising costs.
In that announcement, the business said it will continue brewing and distributing original beverages.
The brewery opened in 2017 at 110 Bosworth St., followed by the taproom in 2019. The company said in its closure announcement that the taproom will remain open “as long as we have beer left.”
Founder and head brewer
Mark Avery began Two Weeks Notice after years of independent brewing in a journey that began on Christmas morning in 2011. The name comes from Avery’s wish to quit his desk job and
pursue owning and operating his own brewery.
“It started with a simple homebrew kit that my wife bought me for Christmas after expressing, you know, wanting to homebrew at some point,” Avery said. “As I started brewing more and more at home, I started buying more equipment. A lot of people will say, ‘the bug bit me,’ with brewing and then around 2014, 2015, is when the big boom of breweries started to happen.”
Avery began entering homebrew competitions and winning, bringing the thought into his mind that he could take his craft to the next level.
“It took about two or three years to get Two Weeks Notice off the ground, we had a hard time finding a spot,” Avery said. “West Springfield actually reached out to us when they knew that we were looking to start a brewery
somewhere here in Western Massachusetts. They’ve been great to us. It felt great to have somebody wanting to have a brewery in their town.”
The brewery first sold original canned batches out of a makeshift frame in a garage door before eventually expanding to the taproom in 2019. Avery said he knew he wanted a spot with music and events, and the taproom’s space was perfect for it.
The taproom would go on to put on events like Oktoberfest, St. Patrick’s Day parties, emo nights, open mic nights and wrestling matches. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Avery said sales continued through a drive-through window.
“We kept pushing forward, building events and building a community,” Avery said. “We got a bigger brew system and shifted more into distribution, so then our beer started getting sent all over the state of Massachusetts.”
Avery said it started to become tougher to break even due to utilities, taxes, payroll and the rising cost of raw goods, which led to
Every week we will provide you with a complete listings of deaths from the preceding week from throughout Greater Springfield. We are
CHICOPEE
Beth Ann Donnelly
Simone N. Gilpatrick
Gerald R. Roy
Zofia Rzepka
Chester W. Swiderski
HAMPDEN
Maureen Coughlin
Eileen J. Plante
HOLYOKE
John A. Hilton II
LONGMEADOW
John R. Lyons
James W. Moulton
Rosemary A. Spear
LUDLOW
Norman L. Mackenzie Strader
Vernard F. King
SOUTH HADLEY
Joan Harp
Marilyn Ann Pryor (Zirk)
Francis W. Wagner Jr.
SPRINGFIELD
David W. Donovan
David H. Mallalieu
Overseer
Charlene Mamie
Naylor
Gary S. Thompson
Judith M. Veronesi
WILBRAHAM
Joyce Fortune Kenyon
the difficult decision to close the taproom.
“Since the announcement of closure, we’ve had nothing but an outpouring of support from our community,” Avery said. “I think that shows what Two Weeks Notice meant to a lot of people. It’s a very unexpected thing to happen because when you’re running a business, you don’t really see it and then you realized how much this place meant to a lot of people and it’s pretty humbling to see.”
He added the taproom’s closure will “hopefully save us on a lot of things and we’ll be able to right the ship on our end” as distribution continues.
“Hopefully someday the taproom reopens, we don’t really
know,” Avery said. “We’re not saying that it’s never going to reopen, but we don’t really know with the way the beer industry is now. I wish we all had a crystal ball because I know a lot of people within the industry were waiting for it to turn around again … we’re kind of doing what we can to keep rolling.”
He said there are too many memories to count, and the regulars have all become family.
“We’ve become so close to so many people,” Avery said. “Good beer isn’t a good business plan, but providing a space that’s warm and loving for people and providing memories is. There’s people
By 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, a steady stream of customers was coming into the Two Weeks Notice Brewing Co. taproom to show support.
Reminder Publishing photo by Chris Maza
Business partners Michael “Mick” Corduff and Frank A. DeMarinis reopened Schermerhorn’s Seafood Restaurant and Market on July 1. Republican photo by Michael J Fiedler
Charles Abel brings photo exhibit to Wistariahurst Museum’s Gallery
HOLYOKE — Photographer
Charles Abel is bringing an exhibit to Wistariahurst Museum’s Gallery that shows visitors a view of Holyoke they’ve never seen before.
Pictorally Speaking features cameras from Wistariahurst’s archive alongside photos Abel has taken of Holyoke. Abel captures views of modern-day Holyoke from a historical perspective, literally. About his process, Abel says, “I saw the 5x7 field camera, and I knew that was the one. After cleaning the camera and testing it for light-leaks, I made a few sample images to get a feel for the camera …. In the end, this series
Taproom
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who have been commenting on all the posts, talking about their favorite things. I’m eternally grateful for being able to provide events and memories like that for people. That’s something I never really expected when I started homebrewing. I started seeing what it was doing to people and what it was providing for them, that’s always going to be the greatest accomplishment we’ve ever had here.”
This isn’t the end for Two Weeks Notice, and Avery said the
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connected to students leaving South Hadley Public Schools for School Choice and charter options. We suggest that this topic
of photographs is a combination of modern documentary images taken in the Pictorialist style with a 100-year-old camera and 125-year-old lens.”
Museum Director Megan Seiler looks forward to this exhibit, saying, “We get to look at the present through the past’s lens.”
Wistariahurst welcomes visitors to the opening reception of Pictorally Speaking on Aug. 3 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on view through Sept. 8, during open gallery hours, Mondays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Tuesdays, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
business has always fought back and come out on top during tough times. He said the outpouring of support is “lighting a fire under my butt to right the ship even more and get this place back open for people that have supported us throughout the years.”
“It’s gonna be a very emotional time,” Avery said. “I know a lot of people that are gonna be coming here and there’s gonna be a lot of tears shed and a lot of laughs talking about the past. We hope to continue providing those times eventually at some point … I’m forever grateful to everybody that’s walked through these doors. I’m just very thankful.”
be discussed at a full tri-board meeting during [the] upcoming budget season.”
The School Committee voted to send this statement to the Selectboard for its next meeting on July 14, after press time. Future coverage of this topic will be at Reminder Publishing
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
Glasgow Lands Festival to celebrate the spirit of Scotland for 31st year
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The spirit of Scotland will once again take over Look Park for the 31st annual Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival on Saturday, July 18.
As the only festival of its kind in the state and the second largest in New England, the day-long rain-or-shine celebration offers attendees an immersive journey into Celtic culture through worldclass music, heavy athletics and authentic traditions, according to organizers.
“It’s so rewarding, and every year we worry about so many things, but everything always comes together in the end, and the end result is that we have 5-6,000 people and there is something for everyone. It’s a family event,” festival Chair Peter Langmore told Reminder Publishing
The Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival was founded in 1994 at the Blandford Fairgrounds. Originally intended by its founding committee — which included Langmore — to be a one-time fundraiser to restore the historic White Church in Blandford, the event was so successful that it became an annual tradition that’s lasted over three decades.
The festival’s name honors the history of Blandford itself, which was originally settled in 1735 by Ulster Scots and known as “Glasgow Lands,” or “New Glasgow.” As the event grew, it moved to Stanley Park in Westfield in 1999 before finding its permanent home at Look Park in 2004. According to organizers, it has remained a premier celebration of Scottish arts, supporting local nonprofits and providing scholarships for piping, drumming and dance students.
Festivities will kick off at 9 a.m., and the Ceilidh Tent will be the go-to spot for high-energy Celtic music, continuing all day until the event’s closing at 8:30 p.m. Headliners will include Glasgow-based Albannach, Pipe Dream, and Celtic-rock bands Seven Nations and Haggis x-1. The festival will also feature popup music performed by Young Folk and a performance by the Pioneer Valley Harpers Guild.
Grand opening ceremonies are set for 11:30 a.m. and will once again feature over 30 competing pipe bands and nearly 700 pipers and drummers. This year, the festival will once again host the EUSPBA Northeast Branch Amateur Drumming Championships. Also returning will be Irish Dance demonstrations from two local dance academies. Pipers will be featured in the event’s closing ceremony with their annual performance of “Amazing Grace.”
“At the closing ceremonies, it’s really, really exciting when those bands come out, and then they have the Pipers come out front, and they play ‘Amazing Grace.’ It’s very difficult to not get emotional and get a little teary listening to ‘Amazing Grace’ with those pipers,” said Langmore. “When they all play together, it is so amazing. It’s a wonderful tradition that we have.”
The festival will offer attendees more authentic Scottish heritage and family fun, including the Highland Games, where “tree-tossing giants” compete in traditional heavy athletics.
There will also be a Stone
Lifting Try-It Station, where attendees of any age can challenge themselves by attempting to lift different weighted stones in a test of strength. One stone, all the way from Glasgow and weighing 266 pounds, will offer one of the toughest challenges at the festival. Plans are to secure a heavy stone from Blanford and have it on site at the festival as their very own version of the rock and cultural connection.
Langmore added that these “gentle giants” are deeply tied to Scottish culture and bring great entertainment for all attendees.
“They [these games] exist because, historically, the clans in Scotland; they fought, if you know enough about history. Each clan had a chief, so somebody had to fight for him and protect him. The one who would do the best in the ultimate strength test would become the chief’s protector,” said Langmore. “The athletes absolutely love Glasgow Lands. Everybody loves it.”
Attendees will also experience living history by exploring the historic Highlanders encamp-
ment, watching sheep herding demonstrations, and learning from the Weaver’s Guild of Springfield. For those looking to learn more about the Scottish ancestry or their own, onsite genealogists and clan representatives will be on site to help trace family trees.
Throughout the day, guests can enjoy the live shows while quenching their thirst at the Celtic Pub, which features local microbrews from New City Brewery, and Wine and Mead. Another option will be a curated Whisky tasting presented by The Whisky Pirate. Tickets for this specific portion of the festival can be purchased at glasgowlands.org.
The food onsite will reflect a taste of Scotland, including a smorgasbord of authentic bridies, meat pies, scones and shortbread.
According to organizers, a dedicated “Kids’ Corner” will offer a space for children for athletic games and access to the Look Park water spray park during the festival.
Funds raised during the event will support River Valley Coun-
seling Center and the Forum House, a service of Viability Inc.
The former provides vital mental health services to children and adults in Hampden County, while Forum House supports disabled and disadvantaged adults in Western Mass.
“I don’t think there are very many nonprofit organizations in this area who are able to donate $40,000-43,000 to other nonprofits,” Langmore said.
He added that it feels rewarding to give back to these community partners through the Scottish festival and said he hopes to see another great turnout for this year’s celebration.
“When I’m able to stand up there at closing ceremonies, and thank everybody, and then have those pipe bands play ‘Amazing Grace,’ that’s just rewarding,” Langmore said. “There’s so much going on that it’s hard to explain. You have to experience it.”
For more information on this year’s Glasgow Lands Festival, its history, or to purchase tickets, visit glasgowlands.org.
Photo credit: Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival
First baseman Kyle Platner takes the throw for an out at first base.
Seth Allen hits a high fly ball.
Teddy Bear Pools' Willie Landman takes a cut at a PeoplesBank pitch.
Ryan Magni is off-balanced as he snags a fly ball near the fence
PeoplesBank catcher Pete Hogan has an audience for his foul bal
Dave Clark connects for a single.
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