KidsBestFest continues at Academy of Music

NORTHAMPTON — KidsBestFest 2025, a weeklong movie festival for kids and their adults with free admission, continues daily through Friday at the Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main St. Shows begin at 11 a.m., with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. The shows are free, though donations are accepted to offset the costs. Admission is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The schedule for the rest of the week includes:

■Wednesday, “The Wild Robot,” a show about an intelligent robot called Roz who stranded on an uninhabited island.

■Thursday, “The Wizard of Oz,” a show about a young farm girl and her little dog who are magically transported into the enchanted land of Oz via a Kansas tornado. This 1939 award-winning film classic is a favorite that has recently been meticulously restored.

■Friday, “Pokeman Detective Pikachu,” a show in which the world of Pokémon comes to life.

Hadley library to host hands-on STEAM program for children

HADLEY — Local author Jennifer Welborn will visit the Hadley Public Library on Thursday at 2 p.m. for a hands-on STEAM program called “The Science of Helping Animals.” The program is for children ages 8-12.

Children will not only learn about how real life veterinarians help animals but they will also get hands-on experience making a working stethoscope, cold compress, experiment with salt sprays, and take the vitals of Welborn’s therapy dog.

Welborn has generously waived the materials fee for this program because she believes STEAM programs for the tween age group is important. She also uses profits from her book sales to fund a scholarship to students seeking veterinary careers.

Irish flag raising Sunday in Holyoke

HOLYOKE — The American Legion Post 325, in collaboration with the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke with the assistance of the grand marshal, colleens, and other award winners, will perform the annual raising of the Irish flag at the JFK monument on Sunday at 2:15 p.m. The monument is located at the intersection of Appleton and Sycamore streets.

DJ O’Connor will be the master of ceremonies, and the Rev. Michael Twohig will perform opening prayers. Parade President John Beaulieu will speak along with state Sen. John C. Velis and state Rep. Patricia Duffy. A reception will follow at Post 351, St. Colby Drive, Holyoke. All are welcome to attend.

Brass Quartet to perform in Easthampton

EASTHAMPTON — The New England Brass Quartet will present a concert in Easthampton on Sunday, March 2, at 4 p.m., at Our Lady of the Valley Church, 33 Adams St. This concert will include a varied repertoire of music with many genres and styles of the last 400 years of brass music represented.

Since its inception in 1984, the NEBQ has been active in arranging works originally composed for other vocal and instrumental combinations. Most of the music performed by the NEBQ has been arranged by or for the members of the group and is performed exclusively by the ensemble. Included in this repertoire are works from ragtime, musical theater, popular song & classical music of all eras.

A “goodwill offering” will be available to offset the expenses of the musicians. For more information, contact NEBQ Trumpeter Brooks Holmes at holmeshorn@gmail.com.