Valley Free Radio
Community Spotlight: August 2025
Who They Are
Valley Free Radio’s mission is seek to educate, inspire, and entertain through programming that reflects the diversity of the local community. We seek to provide a space for media access and education, placing equipment, skills, and critical tools in the hands of the community. We aim to serve with particular regard for those overlooked or under-represented by other media and to provide for the exchange of cultural and intellectual ideas and music.
Their Story
Valley Free Radio took the Pioneer Valley by storm (and on air!) with its thought-provoking talk shows and good feeling music. Valley Free Radio is a non-profit independent community radio station. The station is run and operated by volunteers, providing free training in live programming, broadcast equipment technology, digital audio production and editing to its members.
The idea of VFR arose in 2001 from a small committee comprised of Ed Russell who was an audio/recording engineer, pirate radio operator and the creator of locally-produced radio show, Active Ingredients, Will Hall, the founder of the nationally syndicated radio program, Madness Radio, Jackie Scalzo, a radio activist, and David Gowler, a local DJ of original Americana music. These four were inspired by the Prometheus Radio Project. A group of radio activists standing for media democracy by creating a network of non-commercial, community-based low power FM (LPFM) radio stations.
Celebrate their 20th Anniversary
Valley Free Radio invites you – open to all - to come celebrate this 20th Anniversary on Saturday August 9, 2025 from 4-8 PM at the Northampton Elks Lodge on 17 Spring Street in Florence, Mass.
The celebration will feature live music by Kalliope Jones and Shokazoba. Crooked Stick Pops will be selling fruit Pops and the Crêpes Nanou trailer will be selling Savory, Sweet and Kids Crêpes. Caravan Kitchen sells tasty paninis for all palates. There will also be complimentary Anniversary cupcakes from Carefree Cakery.
The Elks Lodge features an air-conditioned main hall for listening and dancing to the bands, a bar with water, soft drinks, beer and mixed drinks for sale, and plenty of parking. This event is free and open to all with a suggested donation of $5 per person to support non-profit, community-run radio in western Mass.