Greenfield festival features Woody Guthrie family tribute, stellar lineup

You might want to start making plans now to spend July 14-15 in Greenfield for the 26th annual Green River Festival. This year's installment of the fun but low-key festival presented somewhat improbably by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce features a celebration of Woody Guthrie's 100th birthday featuring Arlo Guthrie and the Guthrie Family Reunion. But the main-stages lineup would be pretty great even without that. Los Lobos (pictured), Richard Thompson, Ozomatli, Chuck Prophet and the Mission Express, Lost Bayou Ramblers with Gordon Gano, C.J. Chenier and Boston's own David Wax Museum top the list. The WRSI stage offers Peter Mulvey and The Crumbling Beauties, Alastair Moock and friends, Session Americana and more.

As usual the event on the ground of Greenfield Community College will feature food, crafts, a dance tent, a wide array of kid's activities and entertainment, and hot air balloon rides. All of it adds up to a pretty good time in Franklin County, which is as gorgeous and green in summer as it can be bleak and cold in winter (when we have one).

Tix info? Early birds: April 2- April 13: $60 for the weekend, $45 per day; Advance: April 14 -July 13- $75 for the weekend, $55 per day; Day-of: $75 per day at the gate. Parking is $15 for the weekend or $10 a day or you can take a free shuttle from sites around town. Tickets are available at www.greenriverfestival.com and various locations in Franklin County. Gates open at noon each day. The Green River Festival happens rain or shine, tickets are non-refundable, and alas, no dogs, tents, or alcohol are allowed.