If Thanksgiving is all about family then Moonlight Magic (Madness) is all about friends. The day after has always been a day of fun and reconnecting for us with this event. My sister-in-law owns a wonderful little flower shop in the Falls called Plants for Pleasure. For years that’s where the family spent some time setting up the shop for the opening of the holiday season.
Bridge Street in Shelburne Falls is shut down to traffic for the evening with venders on the streets and all of the shops open for business. It seems as though hundreds of people go and many of them we have known most of our lives. It’s a festive occasion and we plan out our eating from year to year strategically. From barbecue to Hager’s fried dough with maple cream there are some spots not to be missed.
Many, many crafters have small shops in Shelburne Falls and this event also acts as an open house of sorts. From glass blowing to weaving to pottery artisans display their wares. It is amazing to me the artistry that is center right here in these small hilltowns.
There is also our visit to the Shelburne Falls Bowling Alley owned by friends of ours from high school. This is really the best place to bowl in my opinion. They have taken the history of this place to another level with the decor and information on the walls from years past. Their bar is fun and the bowling is an experience. This is always on our must do list.
This year the cousins, all adults now, will be descending on the town as well. They love to get together and don’t have as many opportunities as they once did. I’m sure we will run into them multiple times during the evening and all plan to end up in Rowe for a bonfire in the garden. I’m sure it will be cold enough.
This is the kickoff to the Christmas season for us. There is nothing like reconnecting to make things feel more festive. Then to retire to the outdoors in Rowe, looking at an amazing starry sky, sitting by a huge fire, drinking a warmed Grand Marnier surrounded by family is the icing on the cake.
Fort Pelham Farm 
You folks have a unique and wonderful event with the small community atmosphere and the country living. Consider it a true blessing.
You folks have a unique atmosphere living close to a small community and the country living. Miss living up there. Consider it a real blessing.
We do.
oooh! ‘warmed’ grand marnier. Now we have to decide if we want to try that or stick to the original plan of pouring it over some ice cream.
Oh your post today looks and sounds just like a Hallmark Christmas movie. Wish we were there.
Loved this one =)