Craft fair, tractor pull coincide in Leyden

LEYDEN — Those looking to watch a tractor pull, buy handcrafted items and peruse a collection of historical artifacts might want to make their way to Leyden this weekend.

Timed to coincide with the fourth annual Bob Cook Memorial Tractor Pull, the second annual Hills Are Alive in Leyden Craft and Vendor Fair will be held at Town Hall, 16 West Leyden Road, on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.

Emily Herron-Clark, organizer of the craft fair, said there will be roughly 20 vendors. Artists will be selling items such as blankets, quilts, paintings and quilling art. Attendees can also enter a raffle at a cost of $5 for 25 tickets.

Herron-Clark said there will be a bake sale offering brownies, cookies and any other donations that people wish to bring. Throughout the day, apple pie and coffee will be available. She also mentioned a hot meal will be served at 11 a.m. both days.

The United Methodist Church gets most of the funding it needs to maintain the church building through these craft fairs, Herron-Clark explained.

Although Town Hall is full, people can still get spaces to sell their crafts outside on the common. Tag sales are also welcome. Herron-Clark said it costs $25 for a 12-by-12-foot space that can be used both Saturday and Sunday.

Those interested in buying a spot are encouraged to call Herron-Clark at 413-336-6248.

Meanwhile, visitors are invited to show off their tractors at the Bob Cook Memorial Tractor Pull organized by AJ Egloff, planned for Saturday and Sunday at Avery Field on Brattleboro Road.

Registration is free and starts at 8:30 a.m. Pulling starts at 10 a.m. both days, rain or shine.

There will be no weight divisions. Egloff said this relaxed event is meant to be just something fun for “tractor buddies.”

The objective, Egloff said, is to “pull until you can’t pull anymore.” While there’s no prizes, “the winner gets bragging rights.” According to Egloff, Northfield resident Jake Amato holds the record by pulling 33,000 pounds with Egloff’s John Deere 820 a couple of years ago.

Kevin Hollister, a teacher at Franklin County Technical School, will be the announcer and sing the national anthem for the pulling event.

Hot dogs and hamburgers will also be for sale. Egloff said donations are also welcome. They will be donated to a yet-to-be-determined organization in town.

Lastly, visitors can stop by the Town Office at 7 Brattleboro Road to view some of the Historical Society’s artifacts. Organized by Historical Society President Nan Rolstad, the displays will be held in two separate rooms that are both easily accessible. There will be history books and photographs illustrating farm life, education, church attendance and home life, according to Historical Society Secretary Holly Spatcher.

Spatcher said the Historical Society will also sell T-shirts and tote bags, as well as note cards for $2 featuring artwork by Richard DiMatteo.

The Historical Society, which operates out of the Town Office, is open twice monthly — from 3 to 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month, and on the first Sunday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Spatcher said she’d like to have the society be open more often if people are interested in visiting.