RiverFest

Organized by Seva Water and Natasha Brooks Sperduti

Gather at Pettingill Memorial Park Pavilion for an open community song circle to learn and sing simple, gorgeous river songs, led by Seva Water and Natasha Brooks Sperduti. After a few rounds, we'll walk a few steps down to the Westfield River. We'll respectfully tune in to the lush soundscape of our local river and offer up our songs TO the river, while dipping our toes IN the river! All ages are welcome, no vocal experience necessary.

Organized by Friday Night Cafe

A very special RiverSongs Friday Night Cafe to kick off RiverFest. A collection of Friday Night Cafe performers have chosen songs (and a story or two) they like featuring rivers - actual and metaphorical - and will be performing them as a prelude to Saturday’s RiverFest. Guaranteed to be creative and fun. Performers include Laila Salins, Jim Matus, Sarah Stockwell-Arthen, Sean and Heather, One Part Luck, John and Shevaun, Dave Christopolis, Steve Philbrick, and Josh Wachtel.

Organized by Cummington Cultural District

Botanical Painting Using Pigments from Local Flowers and Plants

Join us for a creative workshop where we’ll use plant-derived pigments of the season made from flowers and plants growing along the Westfield River to create small botanical paintings. As we paint, we’ll also explore their unique qualities and discover where they appear in our local ecosystem. This follow up to an earlier summer botanical painting workshop is a chance to connect with plants in a hands-on, imaginative way while learning a new artistic technique and expressing yourself through nature-inspired art. No experience is necessary, materials provided.

Organized by Hilltown Vision

Join puppeteer and Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee Outreach Coordinator Meredyth Babcock in front of the Cummington Community House (33 Main Street) to explore how beavers improve habitat, slow water down and impact the river. Make a puppet or two to take home! Please have an adult accompany younger children who participate.

Organized by Cummington Historical Commission

Local archivist, historian, and member of the Cummington Historical Commission Carla Ness will lead a walk exploring the industrial histories and uses of the Westfield River in Cummington. We will explore the mill sites, dams, sluiceway and where a canal once was. Carla will also talk about the Hurricane of 1938 and its effects on local industry. Meet at Pettingill Park prepared to get wet. Walk participants are encouraged to go to the “Watershed” exhibition at the Parsonage following the walk to learn more and engage with historical artifacts and archival materials. 

Organized by Hilltown Vision

Observe plants, insects, and other life along our river with field naturalist Charley Eiseman. Meet at the Pettingill Park Pavilion; be prepared to get your feet wet!

Organized by Cummington Historical Commission

The Watershed exhibit in the Old Parsonage focuses on the centrality of the East Branch of the Westfield River in the history and culture of Cummington, with displays ranging from the geologic history, indigenous history, and historic sites such as mills and tanneries along the East Branch and tributaries. The exhibit explores the ways in which the river and its watershed has been shaped by people, including the environmental impacts of industry on the river. We’ll also explore the ways in which the river has shaped us – whether through historic floods such as the Flood of 1938 or by inspiring art and literature.

Organized by Cummington Historical Commission

What animals live in our watershed? Grow your knowledge of local river wildlife while creating felt animals to add to the felt river. Make trout and other fish that live in the river, dragonflies, beavers, muskrats, turtles, crayfish, salamanders, frogs, eagles, herons, and ducks. Wood turtles and some dragonflies that live in our watershed are endangered species. Consider who would eat some of these animals and bring the felt animals along the Westfield River in Cummington to life. Led by local artist and sculptor Beckie Kravetz.

Organized by Ferrin Contemporary at Project Art

Ferrin Contemporary is proud to present Kadri Pärnamets: Muraka, a new exhibition by one of Project Art’s resident artists. The exhibition features porcelain sculptures reflecting on the universal element of water and natural forms opening during Riverfest and Project Art’s Open House on Saturday, September 20th. The public is invited to a short talk with Kadri and gallery director, Leslie Ferrin followed by a reception at 4:30 pm. The exhibit is on view through November 15, 2025. Learn more at https://ferrincontemporary.com/portfolio/kadri-parnamets-muraka/?mc_cid=a3cb62eb51&mc_eid=ec89152dc8 

Organized by Cummington Cultural District

Peruse the artisan works of local creatives, including: jewelry from Tony Reid, knits and crafts from Miranda Bemis LeBeau, and crochet items from Janet Pixley. 

Organized by Project Art

SEPT 20th, 2025 | RAKU Firing Event & RiverFest 2025

Project Art invites you to a special RAKU firing event this fall with Sergei Isupov and Kadri Pärnamets. From 10am-4pm on September 20th, 2025, pre-bisqued ceramics will be glazed on site and then placed in the Raku kiln one after the next throughout the day. While one group of works are fired, the next group of participants will be at the glazing station in preparation for the firing. Participants will watch the firing process and see the results within their reserved time slot.

Open to participants age 16 and above, to students of all levels of experience.  

Organized by Cummington Cultural District

“Fired Up” is a hands-on, community-driven portable, wood-fired oven that serves as both a functional food installation and a gathering point for Cultural District events. Attendees will be welcomed with fresh, locally made simit, a Turkish bread ring that’s soaked in a molasses bath, smothered with sesame seeds and baked, at the Community House. This warm, communal gathering echoes the rooted and earth-based spirit of the Westfield River. Built by local Cummington artisan Emmett Leader, the oven has been crafted using clay sourced directly from Cummington—connecting the project deeply to the land, the natural world, and a sense of place. It reflects Cummington’s legacy of craftsmanship and its commitment to investing in local, sustainable materials.