3rd Annual Handmade Holiday Festival

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Alchemy Initiative will put on its third annual Handmade Holiday Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 and 5.

Festivities will kick off with a preview brunch and silent auction on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. Shoppers will be given the opportunity to shop before the sale opens to the general public and have the exclusive opportunity to bid on silent auction items donated by each of the artisans.

“With over 50 participating vendors, this two-hour brunch/silent auction is not to be missed! The items donated are absolutely beautiful and will only be available from 9 to 11 a.m. We, at Alchemy Initiative, are particularly excited for this brunch as it will benefit and celebrate our upcoming nonprofit status. We plan to be a 501(C)3 nonprofit within a year, a decision our community really helped us make, ” said Jess Conzo, Alchemy Initiative co-founder. 

Tickets for the preview brunch are $25 and can be purchased in advance at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge. Tickets are in limited supply; early purchase is recommended.

Following the brunch, The Handmade Holiday Festival will officially open its doors with a $4 admission price (kids admitted for free). In addition to locally made handmade artisan wares, shoppers will also be able to purchase Christmas trees, decorative wreaths, roping, gourmet food items and more. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Many vendors exhibiting last year will again be present at this invitational show as well as a new group of debuting artisans. While their wares vary in medium and price, all work is of the highest quality and is handmade.  Participating artisans include: Liz Olney, recycle moe, John Manikowski, Noelle Horsfield, Lisa Anderson Jewelry, Crispina ffrench, Diane Firtell, TwiceMade, Roots and Rust, Atomsatwork Accessories, Hooping Harmony, Lorna’s Naturals, PittsfieldContemporarydotcom and many more.

“The Handmade Holiday Festival is essential holiday shopping for everyone looking for locavore, handcrafted one-of-a-kind gifts from the best regional artisans and artists. We're pleased to help sponsor an event that highlights the beautiful work of local and regional creative entrepreneurs,” said Megan Whilden, director of Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development.

A 50-day countdown to the festival will begin this Saturday, Oct. 16. Each day an artisan, musician and/or sponsor will be featured. Visit Alchemy's blog each day to learn more:www.alchemyinitiative.org/blog

This event is made possible by the hard work of many volunteers and the generous sponsorship of local organizations and businesses, including: Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development, Wright & Wilk Studio, Berkshire Shenanigans, Mary’s Carrot Cake, Brulees Restaurant & Catering, Farm Country Handmade Food & Soup, and others.

Alchemy Initiative is a grassroots project promoting and educating on food and farming, health and healing, art and music, and sustainability and community as catalysts for social change.


For more information about the Handmade Holiday Festival, visit www.alchemyinitiative.org or call 413-236-9600.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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