Pittsfield to Welcome 'Irish Idol' Winner

Staff reportsiBerkshires
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PITTSFIELD — A delegation from Pittsfield's Irish sister city Ballina arrives in the city today along with the winner of Ireland's own version of "American Idol" — Liam Geddes.

Pittsfield and Ballina, located in County Mayo, have been sending official delegations of civic leaders and residents for the past decade. In July, 41 area residents traveled to Ballina to celebrate the sister cities' 10th anniversary during the 10-day Ballina Street Festival.

The Pittsfield Irish Sister City Committee is hosting the visit by from Ballina's Councillor Mary Kelly and son, Jason Kelly; Matt Farrell, Sister City Committee member and chairman of both the Ballina Street Festival and the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festivities; and "Irish Idol" sensation and Ballina native Geddes and his parents, Deirdre and Liam Geddes Sr.

The public is invited to a reception at 2 on Wednesday, Oct. 8, in the City Council Chambers at City Hall by Mayor James M. Ruberto, the Pittsfield City Council, the Sister City Commission and the Irish Sister City Committee. The delegation will visit schools and area attractions.

Highlighting the week, Liam Geddes will make his American debut at Pittsfield's Colonial Theatre at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10. Appearing with him will be the Pittsfield Sister City Jazz Ambassadors, guest vocalists Caroline Sinico, Vicky True and Daniel Alberts and the Stepdancers from the Michael Farrell School of Irish Dance. 

The Colonial event will benefit the St. Joseph's High School boy's basketball Cultural Exchange Trip to Ballina in July 2009. St. Joseph's hosted 20 boys from the Ballina Brave's basketball team for a nine-day visit in November 2007. Tickets are available at the Colonial box office at 413-997-4444 or www.thecolonialtheatre.org.

The delegation will be welcomed tonight at the Crowne Plaza and will head to O'Laughlin's Restaurant and Pub.

Geddes will visit St. Joseph's High School on Wednesday morning at 10 and will be a guest on WBEC-1420 AM from 11 to 11:30 before attending the City Hall reception.

On Thursday, Geddes and his parents will appear on Taconic High School's radio station WTBR-87.9 FM from 8 to 8:30 a.m.; Geddes and the Sister City Music Ambassadors will appear on Channel 16's "Jerry's Place" from 7 to 8 p.m. on PCTV/Pittsfield Community TV.

Following Friday's show at the Colonial, there will be a meet and greet at Jae's Spice on North Street.
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Pittsfield Signs Negotiating Rights Agreement With Suns Baseball Team

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Suns will call Wahconah Park home again. 

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission accepted a negotiating rights agreement between the city and longtime summer collegiate baseball team, the Pittsfield Suns. It solidifies that the two will work together when the historic ballpark is renovated. 

It remains in effect until the end of 2027, or when a license or lease agreement is signed. Terms will be automatically extended to the end of 2028 if it appears the facility won't be complete by then. 

"It certainly looks like it lays out kind of both what the Suns and Pittsfield would like to see over the next year or so during this construction plan, to be able to work together and work exclusively with each other in this time," Commissioner Anthony DeMartino said. 

Owner Jeff Goldklang, joining virtually, said he shared those thoughts, and the team looks forward to starting negotiations. After this approval, it will need a signature from Mayor Peter Marchetti and the baseball team. 

The negotiating rights agreement recognizes the long-standing relationship between Pittsfield and the team dating back to 2012, and the Suns' ownership group's historical ties to Wahconah Park and the city dating to the 1980s. The team skipped the 2024 and 2025 seasons after the historic grandstand was deemed unsafe in 2022.  

The Suns were granted the exclusive right to negotiate in good faith with the city for a license or lease agreement where the Suns will be the primary tenant. During the terms of the agreement, the city can't negotiate or enter into an agreement with another party for leniency, licensing, or operation of Wahconah Park for professional or collegiate summer baseball. 

"The Parties acknowledge the historic and cultural importance of Wahconah park to the residents of Berkshire County and share a mutual goal of providing community access, engagement, and programming on a broad and inclusive scale," it reads. 

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