Democrats Plan Campaign Kick-Off in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD – Democratic Party leaders will descend on Spice Restaurant on Friday to celebrate the Berkshire Creative Energy Showcase and Democratic Campaign Kick-Off.U.S. Sen. John Kerry, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray and state Democratic Party Chairman John Walsh will be the keynote speakers. The event, which begins at 5 p.m., is sponsored by Berkshire Brigades, the county Democratic organization.
"We are delighted that Senator Kerry will be joining us," said Lee Harrison, Berkshire Brigades chairman. "He's a great friend of the Berkshires and he has a lot of friends in the county. I know people will want to hear what he has to say about this incredibly exciting election and to participate in our Berkshire presidential straw poll, coming as it will just days after we have primary results from New Hampshire."
The New Hampshire primary is Tuesday, Jan. 8. The top candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination are currently U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and John Edwards, former North Carolina senator and Kerry's running mate in the last election.
The evening will start out with a host of local companies, institutions and organizations involved the region's "creative economy" and renewable and alternative energy showcasing their progress.
Entities like the Colonial theater, Hancock Shaker Village, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacob's Pillow, Barrington Stage, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Topia Inn, Berkshire Biodiesel, the Williamstown Film Festival, the Center for Ecological Technology, Arrow Press, Quality Printing and others have already signed on, said Harrison.
"This is a celebration of the economic revitalization of the Berkshires and the part that the creative economy and clean, green, renewable energy are playing in that revival. It's a great way for the public to come and learn about these organizations," he said.
The showcase will run from 5 to about 6:30, when the campaign kick-off begins. The Democratic rally will include the speakers and presidential straw poll.
Berkshire Brigades Vice Chairwoman Sheila Irvin described the evening as a "good, old-fashioned" rally. Joining the keynote speakers will be notable Berkshire Democrats, including Rep. Daniel E. Bosley of North Adams and Sen. Benjamin B. Downing of Pittsfield.
"It's a new kind of event and one we think will be very well received," said Irvin.
Tickets for the event are $25 per person and can be purchased at the door. For more information: 413-441-2321 or victory2008@berkshirebrigades.org .
