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Date: 8/15/2023
SOUTH HADLEY — The Town of South Hadley is in the midst of preparing for its first-ever South by South Hadley festival, a three-day cultural celebration embracing the diverse talents and offerings within and around the town.
Town officials are asking residents and people in the region to join the community Oct. 6-8 for a multi-day celebration of local arts and culture featuring live music, dance, art exhibitions, presentations and workshops. Nodding to the famed “South by Southwest,” the festival will take place across multiple South Hadley venues over the course of a long weekend.
The event was brought up and discussed at the Selectboard’s Aug. 8 meeting where Town Administrator Lisa Wong said the hope is that this becomes a multi-year event in the community.
“This is a ton of volunteers putting in a lot of time to do a complex, multi-venue, multi-day event. It’s very exciting,” Wong said.
South by South Hadley is billed as a testament to the creative spirit of the town, produced, supported and performed by numerous local artists. Grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the town of South Hadley, the South Hadley Cultural Council and charitable contributions from businesses and individuals, in partnership with Music and Arts South Hadley, have made this event possible.
The festival is seeking corporate sponsorships to supplement grants. The funds will contribute to compensating artists and promoting their work.
A member of the Steering Committee tasked with helping organize the event updated the board on the progress of the festival’s preparation. He added they were well on their way to securing talent and setting up the multi-day event.
According to the update, the Saturday date will focus in and around the South Hadley commons with musical and other lineups. Sunday will focus down in the falls with a jazz brunch and a historic walk through the area, as well as other events and activities. As the weekend approaches, more information will be released.
For more information visit southhadleyarts.org.
Attendees will be able to look forward to live performances, exhibitions, presentations and more at assorted public and commercial venues around town, including the South Hadley Town Common, the South Hadley Falls, churches, libraries and a selection of local restaurants. South by South Hadley is looking to offer an enriching experience for all.
The event will also look to attract residents from throughout the Pioneer Valley, encouraging them to explore South Hadley’s cultural and educational institutions as well as scenic outdoor spaces. Beyond celebration, South Hadley aims to have a lasting impact by benefiting small businesses and positioning the town as a cultural destination in the region.
All events will be free to the public and attendees will have the option to donate to support local art and artists. This event is being made possible by a dedicated group of volunteers. The Steering Committee and subcommittees are donating their time and talents to ensure the success of South by South Hadley.
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, visit https://southhadleyarts.org. Check back often as artists and events will begin to be announced soon.