Pittsfield Preps For 250 Celebration

By: Andy McKeever
iBerkshires Staff
12:28PM / Friday, April 15, 2011

144 images are intended to be walked on all over the city to celebrate 250 years since the city's inception.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is preparing to kick off its 250 birthday party.

The Pittsfield 250 committee began laying images depicting the city's past, present and future on city sidewalks Friday and will host a kickoff event in two weeks.

"First County Fair" by Homer Hill was replicated and placed on the sidewalk on Friday morning in front of Berkshire Bank on Park Square as part of the committee's Walk On campaign.

The original oil on wood painting is in the collection of the Berkshire Museum and its sidewalk replica is sponsored by Berkshire Bank.

It is the first of 144 images to be laid on the sidewalks in business areas. The 3-by-4-foot images will depict the city's past, present and future with sponsors paying $350 to have one placed in front of their business.

Organizers also placed images Friday in front of City Hall and in front of Berkshire Place on South Street.

On Friday, April 29, the celebration officially begins with the rededication for a historic elm tree at Park Square at noon and, at 4 p.m., the opening ceremony will be held at City Hall. Right after the ceremony, a music performance from a variety of local groups will be held at United Methodist Church on Fenn Street.

Later that night, at 7:30, free dance parties will be held. South Congregational Church will feature country music and the Masonic Temple will feature classic rock. Businesses will also be offering discounts and specials.

That Saturday, train rides from Pittsfield to Lenox will be offered and special events will be held at the Berkshire Museum and Barrington Stage. The museum will have a cake cutting and two performances by David Grover as it opens its special exhibit. Barrington Stage Company will host a screening of the Civil War movie "Glory." The film depicts the story of the Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment; the Rev. Samuel Harrison of Pittsfield spent time as its chaplain.

That Sunday, Hancock Shaker Village will host a community birthday party at 10 a.m. and the Colonial Theatre will host a free performance featuring the Boston Symphony Orchestra at 2 p.m.

A full schedules of the yearlong celebration is available at Pittsfield250.com.