July 04, 2019 at 09:47AM
GREENFIELD — The Fourth of July celebration is extended one extra day with the annual fireworks display at Beacon Field.
The annual Independence Day event is Friday at Beacon Field beginning at 4 p.m.
Every year, the Greenfield Recreation Department likes to "mix things up" when it comes to entertainment. This year's performance from Nam's Taekwondo is a new addition. Recreation Director Christy Moore said there have been performances from cheerleaders, a Celtic dance group and others in the past.
"We try to have youth groups involved in the celebration," Moore said. "This year, the Nam's Taekwondo students are going to break boards and show off their skills."
This year also marks the 10th annual Fortin Award, which is given to an individual or family that volunteers in Greenfield. It is given in honor of Tina and Ken Fortin, who volunteered for three decades with the Greenfield Recreation Department.
Eileen Fortin, one of Tina and Ken's children, said the award means everything to her and her family.
"My parents were extremely involved and very devoted to the town," Fortin said. "They made sure the kids in town had something to do, even getting us involved as volunteers. They did something all year round."
She said her family has a special spot to sit in where they used to watch the fireworks together and she plans on sitting there on Friday.
"That's where we gathered as a family," Fortin said. "We would all get ready and then meet back at that special spot."
She said her mother especially wanted people to get involved and volunteer.
"She wanted there to be things for kids to do in town," Fortin said. "Their smiles meant everything to her, she loved every minute of volunteering."
There are also 15 vendors that will be selling food, desserts and novelties between Beacon Field and the Greenfield Middle School. One addition this year is a snow cone vendor where people have to run or walk in a human-sized hamster wheel that shaves ice for the snow cone.
Then there is the main event — the fireworks, which Moore said are some of the best she's ever seen.
"The show lasts from 20 to 25 minutes," Moore said. "We have shells ranging from 3 to 6 inches. The names are kind of funny, a lot of them are named after flowers — there are chrysanthemums, glitter willows, blue peony, silver octopus — there are all different ones."
She said the event not only means a lot for the town to host, but also for neighboring towns. The event is one of the most well attended of the year, but the Recreation Department seeks donations for it to happen.
"People from all over Franklin County come to participate," Moore said. "Not every town can do this."
The evening of events has taken months to plan, and raise money for. For the entire event — including the fireworks display, police details and renting porta potties — it costs the Recreation Department $18,000.
Moore said her department accepts donations leading up to and after the event.
"Anything can help, from $5 to $50," she said. "We'll take anything because it all adds up."
Recreation Commission Chairwoman Donna DuSell advised people to get their faces painted at the event.
"We get 100 percent profit from the face painting, so get your face painted and have fun," DuSell said.
Thus far, a total of $10,000 has been raised including collections, sponsors, vendors and $205 through the GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/greenfield-fireworks-2019, but there is still $8,000 to go, DuSell said.
Events scheduleThe rain date for Friday's event is Saturday. Moore said if it does rain, the announcement will be made on the Recreation Department's website, Facebook page and answering machine.
■4 p.m. — Mixed music
■5:30 p.m. — Nam's Taekwondo demonstration
■6 p.m. — Janet Ryan performance
■7:10 p.m. — The 10th annual Fortin Family Award will be presented
■7:15 p.m. — She Said performance
■8:30 p.m. — Greenfield Military Band performance
■9:30 p.m. — Holly May will sing the National Anthem
■9:35 p.m. — Fireworks
Reach Melina Bourdeau at 413-772-0261, ext. 263 or mbourdeau@recorder.com.
GREENFIELD — The Fourth of July celebration is extended one extra day with the annual fireworks display at Beacon Field.
The annual Independence Day event is Friday at Beacon Field beginning at 4 p.m.
Every year, the Greenfield Recreation Department likes to "mix things up" when it comes to entertainment. This year's performance from Nam's Taekwondo is a new addition. Recreation Director Christy Moore said there have been performances from cheerleaders, a Celtic dance group and others in the past.
"We try to have youth groups involved in the celebration," Moore said. "This year, the Nam's Taekwondo students are going to break boards and show off their skills."
This year also marks the 10th annual Fortin Award, which is given to an individual or family that volunteers in Greenfield. It is given in honor of Tina and Ken Fortin, who volunteered for three decades with the Greenfield Recreation Department.
Eileen Fortin, one of Tina and Ken's children, said the award means everything to her and her family.
"My parents were extremely involved and very devoted to the town," Fortin said. "They made sure the kids in town had something to do, even getting us involved as volunteers. They did something all year round."
She said her family has a special spot to sit in where they used to watch the fireworks together and she plans on sitting there on Friday.
"That's where we gathered as a family," Fortin said. "We would all get ready and then meet back at that special spot."
She said her mother especially wanted people to get involved and volunteer.
"She wanted there to be things for kids to do in town," Fortin said. "Their smiles meant everything to her, she loved every minute of volunteering."
There are also 15 vendors that will be selling food, desserts and novelties between Beacon Field and the Greenfield Middle School. One addition this year is a snow cone vendor where people have to run or walk in a human-sized hamster wheel that shaves ice for the snow cone.
Then there is the main event — the fireworks, which Moore said are some of the best she's ever seen.
"The show lasts from 20 to 25 minutes," Moore said. "We have shells ranging from 3 to 6 inches. The names are kind of funny, a lot of them are named after flowers — there are chrysanthemums, glitter willows, blue peony, silver octopus — there are all different ones."
She said the event not only means a lot for the town to host, but also for neighboring towns. The event is one of the most well attended of the year, but the Recreation Department seeks donations for it to happen.
"People from all over Franklin County come to participate," Moore said. "Not every town can do this."
The evening of events has taken months to plan, and raise money for. For the entire event — including the fireworks display, police details and renting porta potties — it costs the Recreation Department $18,000.
Moore said her department accepts donations leading up to and after the event.
"Anything can help, from $5 to $50," she said. "We'll take anything because it all adds up."
Recreation Commission Chairwoman Donna DuSell advised people to get their faces painted at the event.
"We get 100 percent profit from the face painting, so get your face painted and have fun," DuSell said.
Thus far, a total of $10,000 has been raised including collections, sponsors, vendors and $205 through the GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/greenfield-fireworks-2019, but there is still $8,000 to go, DuSell said.
Events scheduleThe rain date for Friday's event is Saturday. Moore said if it does rain, the announcement will be made on the Recreation Department's website, Facebook page and answering machine.
■4 p.m. — Mixed music
■5:30 p.m. — Nam's Taekwondo demonstration
■6 p.m. — Janet Ryan performance
■7:10 p.m. — The 10th annual Fortin Family Award will be presented
■7:15 p.m. — She Said performance
■8:30 p.m. — Greenfield Military Band performance
■9:30 p.m. — Holly May will sing the National Anthem
■9:35 p.m. — Fireworks
Reach Melina Bourdeau at 413-772-0261, ext. 263 or mbourdeau@recorder.com.