Don’t misjudge Agawam’s quiet streets as a sign that nothing is going on. There’s a lot happening in this community — and we’re not talking about Six Flags.
Agawam Cinemas: It’s more than nostalgia that draws people to the newly re-opened Agawam Cinemas; it’s objectively a cool theater. Founded in the 1960s as a “Jerry Lewis Cinema,” the Suffield Street theater closed in 2014 due to the high cost of updating the old equipment to handle digital films. New owner Kimberly Wheeler re-opened the theater in November and has been showing first runs as well as classic films ever since. The prices are good — $5.50-$7 per show — and Agawam Cinemas offers snack and beverage table service.
Robinson State Park: This unique park is a hidden gem tucked into Feeding Hills. The 800-acre expanse was founded in the 1930s and includes a 5-mile stretch of *Westfield-River frontage for exceptional walks and hikes. It also has a small sandy beach on a pond that could use a good dredging, but is great for playing with young-uns and having picnics. Bonus: During the summer, the park’s tall shady pines make it feel like it’s 10 degrees cooler there than anywhere else outside in Western Mass.
Music: There’s a live music Renaissance going on in Agawam right now with the recent establishment of several venues in town: The Still on Suffield Street and The Tank at the American Legion on Springfield Street join longstanding live, local music supporters The Buc, Murphy’s Pub, and Homeplate Sports Bar in bringing rock and karaoke to the people.
Dining: When it comes to good eats, Agawam has no shortage of options. If you’re looking for something low-key, Nicky’s Pizza makes one of the best pies around. Murphy’s Pub is a great up-and-coming spot if you’re looking for quality American and Irish style pub fare with an beer and whisky list. If you’re looking for a fine dining experience though, look no further than The Federal — one of the most universally revered restaurants in Western Mass. There are lots more too, making Agawam a pretty underappreciated dining spot in our book.
The Community: There are plenty of great places to live and communities to belong to, and Agawam’s is one of them. The town really knows how to pull together when they want to, as was the case in March, 2015, when 17-year-old Alex Scafuri was hit by a car — and left by the side of the road — while skateboarding back to his house after volleyball practice. The injuries have left Alex paralyzed from the chest down with limited mobility in his right arm. He uses a motorized wheelchair to get around. The town held prayer meetings to support Scafuri; when he got back from two months at an Atlanta hospital to receive treatment for his spine injury, he received a police and fire department escort on a street lined with residents cheering him on; fundraisers were held; and Agawam High School created a “buddy system” for Alex so that he is always with a friend or staff member throughout the day in case he needs assistance. Meanwhile, the woman accused of hitting Alex with her car and leaving the scene has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the accident in Hampden Superior Court.
Contact Advocate staff at editor@valleyadvocate.com.
*Correction: May 19, 2006: A previous post misidentified the river running through the park.
