HADLEY — The New England Public Media Asparagus Festival will not reschedule its event this year after weather forced organizers to cancel the popular event last Saturday.

For the first time, weather forced a postponement, with organizers opting against a rain date, even though tents, port-a-potties and other aspects were ready on the West Street Common. Concerns over forecasts calling for heavy rains and possible thunder and lightning storms, with risks to participants and possible damage to the common, led to the decision to cancel.

The festival has been held 10 times, first in 2013 as the WGBY Asparagus Festival, but was canceled during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

Plans are for the festival to return on the first Saturday in June 2026.

In a statement from NEPM, finding another date in 2025 was going to be challenging. “When we looked at the costs and logistics of rescheduling, it became clear that it would not be practical or responsible to proceed.”

Asparagus season typically lasts six to seven weeks, from April until mid-June, ending around Father’s Day. The festival is often near the close of the “Hadley grass” growing season.

NEPM offered appreciation and gratitude to the volunteers, staff, sponsors, vendors, performers and the town of Hadley for remaining committed to the tradition.