Festival of the Hills 2026

Festival of the Hills: A Beloved Conway Tradition

Nestled among the vibrant fall foliage and rolling hills of Conway, Massachusetts, the Festival of the Hills brings fun for visitors of all ages. Held in the town's center square, just one mile from the Greenfield Savings Bank branch, the annual event celebrates community, tradition, and local pride. Greenfield Savings Bank was proud to sponsor and participate in this year's festival on October 4.

The event has a rich history dating back 108 years. The original celebration was created to commemorate 100 years of peace between the United States and England. In 1962, a dedicated group of volunteers revived the Festival of the Hills as a fundraiser for Conway's bicentennial celebration. The event proved so popular that residents wanted it to become an annual tradition. Thanks to the continued support of volunteers, local businesses, and community members, the festival remains a cherished event today.

One of the festival's most unique attractions is the skillet toss competition, which draws both casual participants and serious competitors eager to see who can throw an iron skillet the farthest. Winners earn their own iron skillet along with plenty of bragging rights.

Curious about the origins of this tradition, we spoke with event coordinator Jimmy Recore. According to Recore, "Ed and Mary R. of Conway saw a skillet toss competition at the Fryeburg Fair in Maine many years ago and brought the idea back home. It's been so many years we're not sure exactly how long the competition has been part of the festival, but it has always been a lot of fun. We try to make it as friendly and welcoming as possible. Many participants return year after year, and that means a lot to us. We've made many friends over the years. The competition can get fierce at times, but everyone leaves as friends when it's over."

This year, the festival introduced a youth division for participants ages 8 to 17, helping inspire the next generation of skillet toss competitors.

At the Greenfield Savings Bank table, we enjoyed connecting with customers of all ages. Visitors had the opportunity to spin our prize wheel, receive a temporary tattoo, and join us in celebrating another successful Festival of the Hills.

Greenfield Savings Bank is honored to support local traditions like the Festival of the Hills that bring neighbors together and help strengthen the communities we proudly serve.

Click here to read about our blog about the 2025 Festival of the Hills event.  

We would love to see you. Stop in and visit our Conway Branch!