CONWAY — After a pandemic-induced pause, the annual Festival of the Hills is returning for its 58th edition with all of the usual crowd favorites like the log splitting contest and skillet toss.
With the festival having started in 1962, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the inaugural event. However, the festival was last held in October 2019. It is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2, in the center of Conway and will have events running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“It feels wonderful. The town has missed it and we’re looking forward to it,” Festival of the Hills Committee Co-Chair Sheila Harrington said. “It was a shock during COVID that we couldn’t do it.”
The festival, which is a 501(c)(3)-designated nonprofit, raises money to fund scholarships for graduating high school seniors from Conway. Without the festival over the past few years, Harrington said it was “really difficult” to raise money for the students. The festival has raised more than $155,000, which has benefited more than 200 students.
“All they have to do is pick up the application and apply,” Harrington said, adding that the Festival of the Hills Committee typically awards an average of $5,000 per year. “Typically every senior that applies gets something.”
There will be a few pre-festival events on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 9 a.m. — a bake sale in the center of town and a book sale at the Field Memorial Library. Additionally, a turkey dinner at the Conway Grammar School will be sponsored by the Firemen’s Auxiliary. Spaces can be reserved by calling Helen Baker at 413-369-4936.
On Oct. 2, the Covered Bridge Classic 10K Road Race kicks off at the Burkeville Covered Bridge and finishes at the Field Memorial Library. Registration is $25 for adults and can be done ahead of time at bit.ly/3UA0dL0.
While the race is underway, the main festivities in the center of town will start. Art exhibits, craft vendors, a variety of exhibitors — including Tom Ricardi and his birds of prey — and food stations will pop up from the Field Memorial Library to the ballfield. The log splitting contest kicks off at 11:30 a.m. on the field, the parade starts at 1 p.m. in the center of town and the skillet toss begins at 2 p.m. at the ballfield. Live music will be performed by four different groups all day on the field.
“This year, we’re trying to concentrate on getting back into the swing of things,” Harrington said.
Folks are invited to park in a grass field — which a resident is allowing attendees to use — off Elm Street near the Field Memorial Library. Signs will be placed to guide people.
The Festival of the Hills is officially recognized by the Library of Congress as a “Local Legacy” event, which is a project that “documents the creative arts, crafts and customs representing traditional community life; signature events such as festivals and parades; how communities observe local and national historical events; and the occupations that define a community’s life,” according to the Library of Congress’ website.
As preparations continue, Harrington said the Festival of the Hills Committee is still looking for volunteers to help run the event. She said the festival typically has around “120 volunteers to make it successful.”
A full schedule of events and volunteer information can be found at festivalofthehills.com.
“We’re just really happy to do it again,” Harrington said.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or
413-930-4081.