149: Pro Tips for attending Franklin County CiderDays | MA

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The first Franklin County CiderDays began as a one day event on the first Saturday of November. The year was 1994. It has been held on the first weekend of November every year since for the past 24 years. Much has remained the same, except that the event itself has evolved into a 3-day program.

Listen to episode 046: Going to CiderDays to get even more tips not mentioned in this episode.

This episodes provides you with key tips to consider when attending CiderDays:

Do you need Transportation?

Yes! You definitely need a car to attend CiderDays.

Franklin County is located in Western Ma - which is 75 miles to the west of Boston.

Folks can fly into Logan airport, Manchester Airport in New Hampshire, the Providence Rhode Island airport and Bradley Field Airport in Ct. Any of these airports will drop you into a region where you can plot your own map to CiderDays. Want low stress? Fly into Bradley Field (BDL).

I recommend flying into Bradley Field in Connecticut (BDL) , because it is the close by and provides an easy drive up to Franklin County. Why waste time when there is a glass of cider waiting for you?  It’s an easy one hour drive up  interstate 91 to Franklin county.

Lodging

Lodging in Franklin County (FC)

I recommend that you take a good look at a map and decide which side of the Connecticut River you would like to end up on and then google motels, B&B and check out airbnb.

There are plenty options available, but don’t delay as CiderDays can bring in over +3000 people over the course of one day. Below are some off the beaten trails and yet good picks.

The Inn at Crumpin Fox - Bernardston. MA (FC)

Stump Sprouts Guest Lodge and Cross Country Ski Center -Buckland, MA (FC)

Centennial House B&B, Northfield MA (FC)

French King Restaurant and Motel Erving, MA (FC)

Northampton is located in Hampshire County as is Amherst. Both are big college town and are pretty fun little eclectic cities with excellent coffee shops, beer bars. In Northampton find the Dirty Truth which is holding a cider event on Friday night (November 2) and Sierra Grille. The Sierra Grille has two dedicated cider taps.

Food options

Breakfast - Denny’s 469 Bernardston Rd, Greenfield, MA 01301 - This is not the chain restaurant also by the same name.

Greenfield Market and COOP : 144 Main St, Greenfield, MA 01301-3210

West End Pub - Shelburne Falls

Blue Rock - Shelburne Falls

Black Cow - Turners Falls - 127 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376

Hager’s Farm Market - Shelburne Falls - an easy stop as you are driving up from Greenfield to Shelburne Falls Community Center

Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters

Apex Orchard - newly built apple store and picnic area with a spectacular view east to Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire.

Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center - situated in the center of Greenfield. Prime location for Friday night events. Stop by for the cider schmooze. Cider will be sold by the glass.

Have treat at Mo's Fudge Factory - Shelburne Falls

Making Cider and Finding Cider

Making:

From Boston heading west on Route 2 (recommended)… pick up cidermaking supplies at NFG Home Brew Supply Shop. They are open  Thursday 3-8, Friday 9-2 and Saturday from 10 - 3.

NFG Home-brew Supplies is a family run home-brew shop in Johnny Appleseeds birth place - Leominster, MA. They have an online catalog and very competitive prices.

From New York City and Connecticut’s Bradley Field Airport

Beerology , Northampton, MA

Drinking

West County Cider new Tasting Room is located right across the street from Apex Orchards. There are two taps of West County Cider in the Tasting Room. Imagine that!

Want to find a local cidery in this spot of Ciderville? Check out Cydermarket LLC

Local Package Stores that sell cider

Stan’s Liquor Mart - Athol MA is a bit far out from Greenfield, but is an easy stop if you are traveling from Boston to Greenfield. Stan’s has one of the largest selections of ciders and ice ciders in the area.

Ryan & Casey’s Liquor Store - Greenfield, MA will have Cider and Calvados tasting on Saturday 12-3pm. Look to the schedule for more info.

Overview of Pro Tips and Business Mentions

Recommended hike in Shelburne area: High Ledges (approximately 1 hour back and forth)

Coming up from Northampton or Pittsfield, Ashfield's Elmer Store serves food and has wifi.

Cider Competition

Bring your homemade cider and enter the CiderDays Amateur Cider Competition.

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