GREENFIELD — One of the city’s most beloved annual traditions is returning to Beacon Field on Saturday with a variety of food vendors and local performances.

“People come from all over the valley for our fireworks,” Recreation Director Christy Moore said of the Independence Day festivities. “There’s usually people from Amherst and all the hilltowns. It truly is a regional fireworks display.”

The decades-long tradition of gathering at Beacon Field will begin at 4 p.m. with mixed music, followed by youth performances at 5:15 p.m. and live music throughout the evening. Fireworks are slated to go off at 9:35 p.m. after Frontier Regional School student Adelaide Ehle sings the national anthem.

“We have two new bands, The Uncles and AfterGlo — neither of them has played for us before,” Moore said. “The military band, it wouldn’t be our Fourth of July/Independence Day celebration without them … and then we have our national anthem.”

There will be face painting and tie-dye shirts at the Recreation Department booth, she added.

During the celebration, the Recreation Department will also present the Fortin Family Award at 7:10 p.m. The annual award pays tribute to Tina and Ken Fortin, a family that regularly volunteered for Greenfield Recreation and the Friends of Greenfield Recreation across three decades. Each year, the Recreation Department recognizes an individual or family who embodies selflessness and commitment in their volunteer efforts.

Moore said the department is still raising money to support the fireworks celebration and will continue to do so after the weekend. With a goal of $20,000, roughly $8,000 has been raised through the Cornhole Tournament, event sponsors and private donations. Donations can be made online at greenfieldrecreation.com/fireworks.html.

“The cost of things continues to go up,” she noted. “We hope that the donations will continue to help cover the cost.”

A rain date is scheduled for July 15.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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