GREATER SPRINGFIELD – Seldom has one weekend packed so much entertainment potential in Western Massachusetts.

The West Side Taste of the Valley, the Westfield International Airshow, and the Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival will all be presented in the period of Aug. 10 through 13. With artful scheduling, a person could attend all three events.

The Westfield International Airshow, will take place as part of the 104th Fighter Wing Open House at Barnes Air National Guard base in Westfield on Aug. 12 and Aug. 13.

Attendees will get to see the United States Air Force (USAF) Thunderbirds as well as the US Army Black Daggers Parachute Team, Geico Skytypers, Third Strike Wing Walking, Navy F-18 Hornet, Alabama Boys, and many historic and current military aircraft including the P-51, T-33, AT-28, C-17, B-25, C-47, P-40, F-15, A-10, and more.  Aerobatic acts include Matt Chapman Aerobatics, Jason Flood Aerobatics, and Red Bull Air Race master class pilot Michael Goulian.

Parking lots will be open at 6:30 a.m. on both days and the gate entrances to the air show and Barnes Air National Guard base will open at 8 a.m.

Performances will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. Specific schedule of acts may change depending on various factors including finalized aerial and static displays and weather.  Performances should take place until 4 p.m. each day.

On show days, there will be updates on traffic and parking on www.westfieldairshow.org. The website will also provide statuses on the eight parking lots with filled percentages.

The airshow is requesting a $10 donation for parking which will fund charities, including the Boys & Girls Club, Kamp for Kids, The Carson Center, the USO, Westfield Youth Athletics, Military Family Readiness Group and the Westfield High School Music Program.

This is the fourth year for the Springfield Jazz and Roots festival presented in downtown Springfield on Court Square on two stages. The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and drew 10,000 people last year, according to organizers. Performers include Miles Mosely and the West Coast Get Down, Lizz Wright, Rebirth Brass Band, Christian Scott ATunde Adjuan, Sarah Elizabeth Charles and SCOPE, Community Grooves, Natalie Fernandez, Zaccai Curtis & Insight, Jeremy Turgeon Quintet.

The schedule is as follows:
• 11 to 11:50 a.m. – Jeremy Turgeon Quintet
 •  Noon to 1 p.m. – Community Grooves
• 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. – Zaccai Curtis & Insight with Natalie Fernandez
• 2:45 to 4 p.m. – Sarah Elizabeth Charles and SCOPE
• 4:20 to 5:45 p.m. – Miles Mosley and the West Coast Get Down
• 5:45 p.m. –  Maria Luisa Arroyo (Poetry)
• 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. – Lizz Wright
• 7:45 p.m. –  Darryl Moss (poetry)
• 8:30 to 10 p.m. – Rebirth Brass Band

Visitors are asked to bring their own chairs for the outdoor concert.

As reported in last week’s edition by Reminder Publication’s Payton North, the West Side Taste of the Valley will feature a wide variety of local food offerings, music, a petting zoo, a cruise night, a kids fun run and the towns 5k Road Race. The annual food and music celebration will start at 4 p.m. with the music program starting at 5 p.m. The event will be open Aug. 11 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Aug. 12 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Aug. 13, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Parking is available in public lots, in neighboring business lots and on the street.  Food purchases are cash only and adult beverage sales are by tickets.  Tickets for alcoholic beverages can be purchased at event ticket booths.