Latest news with #TopsfieldFair
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
These Massachusetts agricultural fairgrounds awarded funding for infrastructure repairs
GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A total of $1,167,272 in state grants was awarded to 14 agricultural fairgrounds in Massachusetts to support infrastructure repairs, State Representative Natalie Blais announced. Rep. Blais of Deerfield, who covers 18 communities of the 1st Franklin District, said the agricultural fairs infrastructure grant program is intended to fund capital improvement projects to rehabilitate existing buildings and build new construction. Meeting to be held on new Springfield Regional Justice Center 'Steeped in history, our agricultural fairs are a tremendous asset to the Commonwealth, not only acting as an economic engine but also as a unique place for visitors to learn about the importance of our local food systems,' said Blais, who serves as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture. 'I am proud to have worked alongside the agricultural fairs in the 1st Franklin District and across the state to lay the groundwork for this monumental investment. This would not have been possible without their involvement and the broad support of legislators and stakeholders statewide.' Agricultural fairs offer education on the farming lifestyle as well as demonstrations and skills competitions. It is said that the first agricultural fair on record in the U.S. was held in Pittsfield in 1811. The following are the Agricultural Fairs Infrastructure grant recipients for 2025: Bolton Fair: $100,000 Association of North Chester, Chester Hill, and Littleville, Inc- Littleville Fair: $100,000 Essex Agricultural Society dba Topsfield Fair: $85,595.68 Franklin County Fair: $100,000 Hampshire, Franklin & Hampden Agricultural Society- Three County Fair: $73,715 Heath Fair: $99,991.95 Highland Agricultural Society- Middlefield Fair: $23,995.01 Hillside Agricultural Society- Cummington Fair: $85,595.68 Marshfield Agricultural and Horticultural Society- Marshfield Fair: $100,000 Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society- Martha's Vineyard Fair: $84,218 Middlesex County 4-H Fair: $50,000 The Westfield Fair Organization, Inc.- Westfield Fair: $100,000 Union Agricultural & Horticultural Society- Blandford Fair: $100,000 Williamsburg Grange Fair: $64,160.68 'Agricultural fairs are at the core of the communities they serve, bringing people together to enjoy and learn about agricultural traditions and practices and purchase locally produced food,' said Governor Maura Healey. 'Fairs have always been festive gathering spaces where attendees can learn more about our shared agricultural heritage while enjoying a fun atmosphere and where consumers can forge connections to the local food system by familiarizing themselves with how their local food is grown,' said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. 'Beyond the educational and entertaining factors that they bring, these events also boost economic activity which can trickle down to adjacent sectors increasing the overall economy in Massachusetts.' 'Agricultural fairs in Massachusetts are a cornerstone of our state's rich farming history and tradition,' said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. Funding was provided by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). 'For hundreds of years, agricultural fairs have been a way for the public to understand the importance of farming and how a thriving agricultural sector benefits everyone,' said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. 'The Franklin County Agricultural Society is incredibly appreciative of Rep. Blais and her colleagues in the Legislature for their support of this infrastructure grant' said Michael Nelson, president of the Society. 'The Franklin County Fairgrounds has a deep history of providing agricultural events as far back as the 1850s. Through this funding we will continue to make crucial investments in our facility to ensure this historic and beloved gathering space continues to enrich our community for generations to come' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Boston Globe
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
They wed at the Sinclair in January — and so did six other couples, with a bash for 400 guests
It was June 2022 at a small Pride event in downtown Brewster, when Sarah Messeck's eyes locked on the person behind the 'I was struck by their beauty,' says Sarah, who had come to the event to see a friend's juggling performance. She walked over to the table and introduced herself to Avery Condon—and bought a T-shirt to keep the conversation going. Avery had noticed Sarah, too, and when Sarah volunteered for an impromptu juggling lesson during her friend's performance, Avery joined — for the chance to stand alongside her. As they picked up momentum, Sarah lifted her eyes to Avery's smiling face. 'I wanted to kiss them,' she remembers. Neither of them had wanted to make assumptions. But after learning they both lived in Mashpee, each left the event wishing they had exchanged numbers. Sarah and Avery recall reaching relationship milestones fast, but not without thoughtfulness and a few nerves. "I didn't think it was possible for me to find someone until I met Avery. I realized my gosh, love can be so easy." Lensy Michelle Photography Advertisement Sarah unsuccessfully scoured social media for Avery. Avery stayed offline, but 'every time I was out and about in Mashpee, I was hoping to run into her.' In July, their paths crossed again. The nonprofit resource center Near the event's end, participating groups queued up for a flag parade through downtown. Carrying Finland's flag, Sarah took a spot next to the person holding Korea's flag and asserted: 'You're Avery.' Related : The pair planned post-work drinks at 'Looking back on our texts... that was a date,' says Sarah. 'We were going back and forth like, 'I'm sooo excited to see you tomorrow!'' Sarah and Avery at the Queerly Beloved Ball. Lensy Michelle Photography Days later, the pair met for sushi at Advertisement Finally, Sarah asked Avery: 'Is this a date?' Avery replied, 'Would you like it to be?' 'I was like, 'Thanks for deflecting, but yes,'' says Sarah with a laugh. Their first kiss was by a fountain in Mashpee Commons. Before summer's end, they became an official couple. In September, they exchanged I love you's the morning after they went to the Topsfield Fair. By fall, Avery had 'low key' moved into Sarah's place, having received a purr of approval from Sarah's rescue cat, Davy Jones. In March 2023, they signed a lease together. 'It felt right from the get-go,' says Sarah. 'Every moment we shared was like a block stacking up, seeing that this is the person I belong with.' The couple valued keeping the relationship grounded — especially Avery who had previously married and divorced. 'In the past, I've been the person that's fallen head over heels,' Avery says. 'I wanted to get to know this person for who they really are and not for who I think she is.' Avery introduced a list of To the question 'What do you hope for our relationship?' that summer, Sarah replied: 'I would like to marry you.' Advertisement They ordered bespoke rings from a Vermont jeweler that arrived in March. Both planned to propose; both wanted a surprise. In her vows, Sarah said, "We're standing here today due to a uncertain political future, but our future together is certain. Jullian Valadares of Lensy Michelle Photography On April 27, 2024, when Sarah recruited Avery to beachcomb for her mother's heart-shaped rock collection, Avery was none the wiser. 'We're both these Cape Cod kids, so it was just like, 'Of course I'll go. Maybe we'll find sea glass, too,'' says Avery. But when Sarah sent Avery off to search and scrambled to set up her phone for a photo of the proposal, Avery's heart began to race. Summoning Avery back, Sarah took a knee, presenting an oyster shell ring box. She said, 'I didn't expect marriage to be in the cards for me, but you changed everything.' Avery replied 'yes' — 'a bunch of times.' wAvery's proposal to Sarah came May 1, in front of the famed Pineapple Fountain in Charleston, S.C.'s Waterfront Park. On one knee, they told Sarah, 'The world can be very cruel and very dark, but with you, I feel like I'm safe. I feel like we're safe, and that we can figure it out.' Sarah's response was drowned out by a high school field trip that had stumbled upon their moment and erupted into cheers. While the two had hoped for a leisurely wedding planning period, they prioritized their legal nuptials after the 2024 presidential election. Inspired by Sarah and Avery's urgency, their Boston-based photographer The Femmes — a Boston-based wedding band — were one of several performers during the Queerly Beloved Ball in January. Jullian Valadares of Lensy Michelle Photography On Jan. 5, 2025, Avery, now 39, and Sarah, 30, married at the Sinclair in Cambridge (the venue donated the space). They were one of seven couples who took part in the Advertisement In her vows, Sarah said: 'We're standing here today due to a uncertain political future, but our future together is certain in terms of it being one that's filled with love and support and queer joy.' When Queerly Beloved's organizers called up the seven newlywed couples to the dance floor, only Avery and Sarah stepped forward. Their first dance ("ironically," says Avery) was to "Last Dance" by Donna Summer. The couple is taking dance lessons ahead of their upcoming June celebration. Jullian Valadares of Lensy Michelle Photography In June, Avery and Sarah will tie the knot again with a hand-fasting ceremony in Western Mass., where the couple currently lives. They'll invite their 60 guests to partake in a ring warming — an Irish tradition where the couple's wedding bands are passed to family and friends, who tightly hold them while thinking of wishes for their shared future. They'll sip margaritas inspired by their favorite Hyannis restaurant, 'I had been nihilistic about love [before Sarah],' says Avery. 'But, this time around, I'm just so incredibly thankful. I want to soak up every minute and not take anything for granted or speed things along. I want to take every moment I can get with Sarah.' Advertisement Read more from , The Boston Globe's new weddings column. Rachel Kim Raczka is a writer and editor in Boston. She can be reached at
