North Adams WinterFest Celebration Seeks Participants

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The 23rd annual WinterFest celebration will be held Saturday, Feb. 15.

The event is expected to draw more than 1,000 people - locals and visitors alike - to downtown North Adams. The Office of Tourism & Community Events is seeking participants to take part in several events during this celebration: more restaurants, businesses, organizations, or individuals to participate in the Chowder Cook-off, sponsor blocks of ice, and offer WinterFest specials or special events at their downtown business locations.

Applications are being accepted for the annual Chowder Cook-off through Feb. 5 and can be obtained by contacting the Office of Tourism & Community Events at 413-664-6180 or by email.

Chowder Cook-off participants must prepare their chowder in a licensed commercial kitchen and participants must provide a copy of their ServSafe Certification and Allergy Awareness Certification. Chowders are judged and voted on in the categories of the People's Choice Awards, Judges' Choice Awards and the "Only in North Adams" Award for most unique chowder. Winners receive plaques and bragging rights. Rebel Beat Sound System will provide music for this event.

To sponsor an ice block or volunteer to carve one, contact the Office of Tourism & Community Events at 413-664-6180 or by email. The deadline for sponsorship is Feb. 5. This year's ice sculptures will not be themed and sculptors will receive a $50 stipend/per block. Ice sculpting will take place throughout the event. A winner will be picked by public vote through a social media poll that will run for a week following the event before the winner is announced.

Ice blocks can be sponsored for $90/each. Sponsors' names will appear in the WinterFest program and their name or logo will be present on signage with their sponsored block.

The lineup for the day follows. All events are free to attend

9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Ice sculpting (various downtown locations).

9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.: Green Mountain Weavers and Spinners Guild Annual Spin-in at the All Saints Church Parish Hall.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.