Gear up for FESTA!
Summer is in full swing, and Ludlow is gearing up for one of its largest yearly celebrations: FESTA!
FESTA is a Portuguese cultural festival that takes place at Our Lady of Fatima Parish during Labor Day weekend. Join thousands of people in celebrating Portuguese heritage with food, rides, music, a candlelight procession and more.
Learn more about what’s featured during this year’s FESTA by clicking here, or visiting ourladyoffatimaparish.org.
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The Western Mass Pioneers were officially founded in 1997 and began playing in 1998 in the USL D-3 Pro League. In 1999, they won the USL D-3 Pro League championship, and in 2005, they reigned as the regular season champions, were USL Second Division finalists, and hosted the National Championship match. In 2010, the Pioneers became a pre-professional team in the USL PDL, now known as League Two, to focus on developing future professional soccer players.
The Pioneers have qualified for the playoffs the last six years in a row! Over the years, the club has developed players who have since gone pro, including Patrick Agyemang, who was drafted by Charlotte FC in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft and is now playing for the US National Team.
The New England Mutiny are one of the most successful and storied franchises in the history of women’s soccer. By providing elite-level women’s soccer on the field with accessible and positive role models off the field, Mutiny remains dedicated to growing the sport of women’s soccer. Mutiny has been internationally recognized as one of the world’s top women’s soccer teams and achieved its highest ranking at No. 14 in the world. In the United States, the team was spotlighted by Soccer America as one of the nation’s “Top 11” teams to watch.
Mutiny strives for excellence each season and has been the national runner-up in 2024 and 2025.
Lusitano Stadium, the only soccer-specific stadium in New England, is located in the heart of Ludlow and is home to both the Western Mass Pioneers and New England Mutiny. The clubs participate in community events throughout the year, including Trunk or Treats during spooky season and the Memorial Day parade, and operate numerous youth soccer camps in Ludlow and throughout western Massachusetts.
These teams are staples of the Ludlow community, and we are proud to see them skillfully represent our Town in the world of sports. #VamosPioneers #WeAreMutiny ❤️🔥⚔️
Thanks to Police Chief Daniel Valadas for 35 years of service!
Chief Valadas first joined the Department in 1990 as a Special Police Officer. He was then appointed as a full-time Patrolman in 1993. He served in various roles within the Department throughout his career, ultimately rising to the rank of Chief in 2020.
Chief Valadas also served as a Military Police Officer for 10 years with the United States Army Reserves. He was honorably discharged as an Army Staff Sergeant in February of 1998.
Chief Valadas will officially retire from the Ludlow Police Department on Aug. 8. We thank him for his dedicated service to our community and wish him the best in his retirement!
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We’d love to hear from you! Share your stories, use our campaign hashtag #GetLostinLudlow, and attend our upcoming events. Together, we can showcase the best of Ludlow.
LUDLOW FACT
Did You Know?
American bass guitarist Nicole Margaret Fiorentine, best known for her work with alternative rock bands Veruca Salt and The Smashing Pumpkins, is from Ludlow!