There are a variety of holiday-themed events this weekend to get yourself into the festive spirit including tree lightings, live music, a brunch, and more. Find a full list of holiday bazaars and fairs here; upcoming holiday events can be found here.
Editor's Pick
Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas
Dec. 1 until 3
The main street in Stockbridge will be transformed into a Norman Rockwell painting. The town becomes a magical New England village decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights for the season. More information here.
Friday
Pittsfield Annual Tree Lighting
Park Square, Pittsfield
Time: 6 p.m.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive to ring in the holiday season. The event also features hot chocolate and candy canes. Bring a nonperishable food item for the Christian Center's food pantry. The annual tree lighting is part of Downtown Pittsfield’s Festive Frolic weekend event.
Lenox Annual Tree Lighting
Lilac Park, Lenox
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Santa will be visiting Lilac Park for the annual tree lighting. The event will feature performances by Lenox Community Center’s Chorus starting at 5:45 p.m. and Santa will arrive at 6 p.m. to light the tree. Pictures with Santa to follow.
Free Gallery Tours
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 10:15 a.m.
New parents and caregivers are invited to print their infants into the galleries for a guided tour of the institute's permanent collection.
This special program provides new parents the opportunity to socialize with other community members in a casual environment.
Join or listen to New York composer Phil Kline’s walking symphony ‘Unsilent Night as part of
Community members of all ages are invited to bring their sound amplification devices whether it's their phones, Bluetooth speakers, boomboxes, or other devices. Download the music tracks in advance online or through the Unsilent Night app.
A limited number of Kline’s vintage boomboxes and cassette tapes will be available for use on a first-come, first-served basis.
Gather at Martin Puryear’s Big Bling Installation at 4 Marshall St. starting at 5:30. At 6 p.m. the walking symphony made up of community members will weave through downtown and end at Hotel Downstreet.
It's the first Friday of the month, art enthusiasts know what that means — the city's First Friday Artwalk.
The event features a dozen art shows and exhibits on view at venues around downtown Pittsfield. Most of the art is on display throughout Dec.
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to meet the artists. Download the Downtown Pittsfield Inc. app from the Google Play or App Store to get a virtual walking tour.
Participating venues include Beacon Cinema, Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Museum, Clock Tower Artists, Hotel on North, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Soda Chef, and more.
For a complete list of participating venues and artists visit the Art Walk website.
Saturday
Winter Wonderland Family Fun Day
Stockbridge Library
Time: 10 to 3 p.m.
The library will have a youth craft table so children can decorate a snowflake, indoor winter games, and an outdoor StoryWalk through the decorated library garden walkway. At 10:45 a.m. there will be a winter-themed storytime. More information here.
North Adams Farmers Market
85 Main St.
Time: 9 to 1
Final indoor winter market of the year; winter markets run every first Saturday through May. Jams and jellies, handcrafted wool items, bagels and baked goods, jewelry, maple syrup, self-care and wellness, winter produce and meats, and much more. Continues $30 match program for SNAP users.
Sunday
Bebop with Poppy
65 Silver St, Sheffield
Time: noon
Drag Queen Poppy DaBubbly is collaborating with WitchSlapped and Big Elm to provide a music and music class the first sunday of every month.
During the event families will explore essential development skills through dance, creative movement, and a story time.
Enjoy pancakes, eggs and more while you get professional pictures taken with Santa. There will be a cash bar. Brunch is $16 for adults and $8 for kids. Reservations for the brunch are needed. Make a reservation by emailing Jaceyanastasiophotography@gmail.com or Manager@wahconahcc.com
Professional Pictures With Santa is available to both those attending the brunch and the outside community on a first come first serve basis.
Enjoy a cup of traditional Holiday Tea, provided by caterer Kate Baldwin, while you listen to holiday-inspired readings by local author Kevin O'Hara.
Tickets cost $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Purchase tickets using the “Book” button on the Berkshire Historical Societies website. https://berkshirehistory.org/ Information here.
Williamstown Theatre Festival Performance
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 3 to 5 p.m.
There will be a free performance of ‘Sammie And Dan: Singing and Holiday Cheer’ in the Clark’s auditorium, located in the Manton Research Center. More information here.
Multiple Days
Pittsfield Festive Frolic
Friday and Saturday
This Friday and Saturday Downtown Pittsfield will be transformed into a festive wonderland full of holiday themed activities including the annual Park Square Tree Lighting on Friday at 6 p.m.
During the two day frolic, local businesses will be hosting activities for all ages including free arts & craft opportunities, Pictures with Santa, a Hot Chocolate Bar and Photo Booth, and more.
On Friday, those 21 and over can participate in the Elf Invasion Pub Crawl. Dress up in Elf attire as you visit some of the local pubs and bars. Line-up here.
Purchase an Elf ID in advance online or in person at 101 Restaurant & Bar on December 2 starting at 6:45 pm to secure an elf accessory and a Berkshire Mountain Distillers’ sample at each location.
The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 40th annual Holiday Walk weekend. This communitywide celebration features events at various venues including live musical performances, a market, drives, and more.
An innovative and immersive sound and light experience set against the backdrop of Edith Wharton's historic home. Wander the illuminated 3/4-mile route through the woods and gardens for an otherworldly experience that evokes wonder and awakens the imagination.
Children under 12 are free, children ages 13 to 18 are $12, and adults are $25. More information here.
Festival of Trees: NOSTALGIA
Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield
Nov. 18 to Jan. 7
Visit the museum and get into the holiday spirit with the decades-old celebration Festival of Trees which features trees decorated by community members, businesses, and institutions with ties to the community.
Three of the Trustees of Reservations' properties will be decorated with holiday light displays, including Naumkeag. The immersive holiday light displays also feature festive music and seasonal treats.
The event happens Wednesdays through Sundays until January 6. More information here.
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Pittsfield Council OKs $3M Borrowing for Failing PHS Boilers
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council has authorized the borrowing of $3 million for new boilers at Pittsfield High School — a project that was originally going to be funded by ARPA.
The nearly 100-year-old boilers are original to the building and have exceeded their useful life, officials say. They are converted locomotive engines that are extremely inefficient and expensive to maintain.
The replacement design was recently completed and a low bid was received. After looking at the numbers, it was clear that the allocated $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds would not be enough.
"$213,210 was spent on emergency repairs and the design work for the replacement project," Finance Director Matthew Kerwood confirmed in an email.
"The low and only bid for the replacement was $2,482,000, however given the complexity of this project I felt that a 20 percent contingency would be needed which gets to the $3,000,000 authorization. If the entire amount is not needed, the remaining unused balance will be rescinded at some point in the future."
The project is also time-sensitive, as one boiler is non-operational and another is severely compromised. If they fail during the heating season, the school will have to close.
"The contractor that was the low bid, in 30 days he can walk away from that bid if he wants to, and the other problem is I need to get this project underway to hopefully get them in and running by the time school reopens up for wintertime," Building Maintenance Director Brian Filiault explained.
"This is a major project, a major project. We're taking three locomotives out of that building and it's no easy thing. I mean, the building is built around it and we have a small portal that we actually will be able to get it out, we'll have to crane everything else. It's a very labor-intensive, very hard job, and I'm afraid of the timeframe because I can't run those boilers again. They've gone as far as they're going to go."
The nearly 100-year-old boilers are original to the building and have exceeded their useful life, officials say. They are converted locomotive engines that are extremely inefficient and expensive to maintain.
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