The Amherst Current

Amherst Week Ahead 07.01.24

Every week, we spotlight the town government meetings, and cultural, recreational, and athletics events that caught our eye. This week, we’re also highlighting some events that are happening later this month and next, providing an outlook on a full summer of fun!

Read on and mark your calendars!

W. Mass American Legion Baseball – Monday & Wednesday

The Belchertown Post 239 team of the Western Mass American Legion Baseball League features players from Amherst as well as Hadley and Belchertown. Catch them in action as they look to extend their 5-game winning streak at two home games this week. Monday vs. W. Springfield and Wednesday vs. North Adams, 5:45 pm at Belchertown High School. MORE

Independence Day Celebration – Tuesday

Kick off your celebration of our nation’s independence a couple days early! Amherst Recreation will present its annual event at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, UMass, on Tuesday evening. The fun starts at 6:00 pm with lawn games, live entertainment, and food trucks. Fireworks begin at dusk. This event is free (including parking) for all. Tuesday, 6:00 pm at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Free. MORE

South Amherst 4th of July Celebration – Thursday

All are welcome at the 4th of July Celebration on the South Amherst Common! A Children’s Parade kicks off at 10:00 am followed by a brief program in front of the Munson Library at 10:30 am. The fun continues with games and races on the South Amherst Common!  Thursday, 10:00 am on the South Amherst Common. Free.

Reading Frederick Douglass Together – Friday

A community reading of Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” speech, hosted by South Congregational Church as part of its 200th Anniversary Arts and Social Justice Series and its Reunion Week celebration, will take place on the South Amherst Common on Friday. The Amherst Area Gospel Choir, directed by Jaqueline Wallace, will lead off the program, followed by remarks from UMass Professor of Afro-American Studies Amilcar Shabazz who will introduce the speech. The afternoon event will also include small-groups discussions of the speech, refreshments, and a free distribution of books by Douglass and other important African American writers. Friday, 3:00-5:00 pm at South Church Amherst. Free. MORE

Downtown Amherst Summer Concert Series – Fridays in July

The Amherst Business Improvement District is again presenting a Summer Concert Series beginning this Friday! Every Friday evening in July, head to the Town Common for free music and fun. Bring your chairs and blankets, grab dinner to-go from your favorite downtown eatery, and enjoy an evening under the stars. Here’s the schedule:

 Fridays, 5:00-9:00 pm on the Town Common. Free. MORE

Amherst Community Band Summer Concert Series – July 27 & August 17

The Amherst Community Band performs a series of concerts in Sweetser Park this summer. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy music al fresco! The second in the series is on Saturday, July 27 and invites the Amherst community for a night of dance. The third concert is on Saturday, August 17 and features music that commemorates important anniversaries in 2024. Saturday, July 27 and August 17, 6:30-8:30 pm in Swetser Park. Free. MORE

Want more? We’ve gathered the event and program calendars from the many organizations and committees in Amherst onto Community Calendars. Check it out to find even more upcoming events.

Have an event you’d like us to spotlight? Email us TheAmherstCurrent@gmail.com.

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