ERVING — People gathered on the Laurel Lake beach over Labor Day weekend to enjoy the last day the swimming spot was open. The beach closed earlier this week, and while the holiday can be seen as the end of the hot New England season, many beachgoers still felt summer.
Nancy Washburn of Orange came to the beach with her grandchildren and husband.
“We were trying to do something fun,” said Washburn. “We were expecting more people at the beach.”
She said Labor Day is and isn’t the end of summer, because her grandchildren aren’t in school, so there isn’t anything to mark the end of summer yet.
Keith Washburn said Labor Day marks the beginning of fall, as far as he’s concerned.
“I’m looking forward to days that aren’t as hot,” Washburn said. “And more adventures with my grandchildren.”
He said it was their first time at the beach with their grandchildren.
Paula King of Wendell who came to the beach with her daughter and friends, on the other hand, said it was like the beginning of summer for her.
“It’s like the beginning of the summer, weather-wise,” King said. “The weather is much more agreeable, less humid.”
People traveled from other ends of Franklin County to enjoy Laurel Lake, including Gary Cabana of Whately, who brought his son to the beach with friends, said it was time to get projects done now that the heat isn’t as bad.
“It’s time to think about closing the pool and getting the lawn mower serviced,” Cabana said.
Devon West of Greenfield came to the beach with his family and said he doesn’t think summer is over, and he may be right with predictions of more hot and humid days this week.
“Labor Day isn’t significant to me,” West said. “It’s a day I get paid time and a half. It’s still summer.”
Ben West of Greenfield said he didn’t think it was the end of summer either.
“It could be hot for another two months, so it’s not really the end of the summer,” West said.
Peg West of Lexington said she thought it was the end of summer.
“Labor Day pretty much means the end of summer,” West said. “I am a big fan of September, it’s the start of better weather. And for the kids it’s certainly the end of summer with school starting.”
Greenfield resident Vanessa Carillo said just because Labor Day weekend has marked the unofficial end of summer, she wasn’t going to stop going to the beach.
Jill Fitzsimmons said she feels like it’s still summer for a short time longer because of the heat.
“It’s still hot in September, but the world’s responsibilities call, so it’s the end of summer, too,” Fitzsimmons said.