There are a variety of events this weekend in the Berkshires including festivals, Valentine's Day themed events, and more.
Editor's Pick
10×10 Festival
Pittsfield
Time: various
Berkshire County business and organizations join forces with Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development for the annual 10x10 Festival, a week of events to celebrate the winter season beginning Thursday.
This weekend's festivities include the inaugural Clapp Park Winter Festival, Hancock Shaker Village's The Big Chill, art exhibits, live music, and more.
Celebrate the winter season with a festival from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Participants have a range of activities to choose from including the Chowder Cook-off, crafters' market, horse-drawn wagon rides, Main Street bonfire, free ice skating, Children's Winter Carnival, and more.
Winter Wildlife Tracking at Mount Greylock State Reservation
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 12:30
Explore woodlands and wildlife of Mount Greylock during this three-hour guided hike led by Mass Appalachian Trail Management Committee member Jim Pelletier and Janice Tassinari.
Registration is required by calling 413-499-4262; more information here.
Cardboard Box Race
Otis Ridge Ski Area
Time: 1 p.m.
Grab some duct tape and craft a cardboard sled for a day of cardboard racing. The only rule is sleds must be made of cardboard and duct tape. There will be prizes including the fastest, more creative, and more.
No registration fee but canned or non-perishable donations will be accepted for the Otis Food Pantry.
This free event features outdoor activities including snowshoeing, wildlife tracking, a bonfire, and soups and s'mores by Otto's.
Construct a sled using cardboard, glue, tape, decorations, and possibly wax on the bottom for the city's first Clapp Park Winter Festival Sled Race. Plastic or purchased sleds will not be considered for the competition.
Awards will be given to the fastest and best designed sleds in each race. Helmets must be worn during all the races.
Participants must register at Clapp Park the day of the event between 10 and 10:45 a.m.
Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 1 p.m.
The freshly fallen snow makes this Sunday the perfect opportunity to participate in Mount Greylock Visitors Center's Winter Wonderland Activity Day.
This self-guided free event will be packed with winter activities including winter- themed crafts, scavenger hunts, board games and make-your-own snowman or sledding. Bring your own sled if you have one.
The activity day is free for all ages but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information call the center at 413-499-4262 or contact via Facebook for weather updates.
Multiple Days
The Big Chill
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Dates and Times: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The festival featurs walking tours, ice sculpting, maple tree tapping demonstrations, live music, farm animals, and more.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for members, and children age 14 and under are free.
Library Passes, North American Reciprocal Museum Association, and electronic benefit transfer cardholders receive the member rate and need to purchase their tickets at the admissions desk.
Dates and Times: Friday and Saturday, 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
This semi-formal dance will be held over two nights and is open to all families for $10 per person. Tickets include dancing, refreshments, and a door prize drawing. A separate raffle will be held to benefit future community events.
Inspired by traditional Zimbabwean music as well as contemporary African styles, these dance parties are free and open to the public; get tickets here.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
Newly elected Moderator Seth Alexander kept the meeting moving.
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — The annual town meeting sped through most of the warrant on Wednesday night, swiftly passing a total budget of $5.1 million for fiscal 2025 with no comments.
Close to 70 voters at Clarksburg School also moved adoption of the state's Community Preservation Act to the November ballot after a lot of questions in trying to understand the scope of the act.
The town operating budget is $1,767,759, down $113,995 largely because of debt falling off. Major increases include insurance, utilities and supplies; the addition of a full-time laborer in the Department of Public Works and an additional eight hours a week for the accountant.
The school budget is at $2,967,609, up $129,192 or 4 percent over this year. Clarksburg's assessment to the Northern Berkshire Vocational School District is $363,220.
Approved was delaying the swearing in of new officers until after town meeting; extending the one-year terms of moderator and tree warden to three years beginning with the 2025 election; switching the licensing of dogs beginning in January and enacting a bylaw ordering dog owners to pick up after their pets. This last was amended to include the words "and wheelchair-bound" after the exemption for owners who are blind.
The town more recently established an Agricultural Committee and on Wednesday approved a right-to-farm bylaw to protect agriculture.
Larry Beach of River Road asked why anyone would be against and what the downside would be. Select Board Chair Robert Norcross said neighbors of farmers can complain about smells and livestock like chickens.
McCann Technical School Principal Justin Kratz announces Amy Lynn Harrington as valedictorian and Svea-Marie Meaghan Lawson as salutatorian for the graduating class of 2024. click for more
Amanda Pou was named the most valuable player of the regional final after striking out four and walking none in a complete-game effort in the circle. She also ripped a two-run double in Pittsfield’s four-run fourth-inning rally to break open a scoreless game. click for more
The annual town meeting sped through the questions on Wednesday night, swiftly passing a total budget of $5.1 million for fiscal 2025 with no comments. click for more
Dylan Turner went 2-for-3 with an RBI to give his team a 3-0 lead in the fourth, and then he left the bases loaded in the sixth and seventh innings to secure a 3-2 win over rival Drury in front of a big crowd at Joe Wolfe Field in the Class C Championship Game. click for more
Jonathan Howard and Jacob Thomas scored in a low-scoring second half Tuesday to secure a 9-8 win over Wahconah in the Western Massachusetts Class B Championship Game at BCC. click for more