Drawing residents and visitors into its downtown has been a perennial goal of many planners, officials and store owners in Bennington, Vt., and that tradition continues with the upcoming Bennington First Night celebration, an eclectic event to celebrate both the new year and to spend time among neighbors on a busy Main Street.
An outgrowth of the Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce and the Better Bennington Corporation, First Night Bennington, now in its fifth year, continues the spirit of downtown activity that characterizes the weekly “Summer in the Park†series held each summer. Drawing guests young and old to enjoy local and regional performers, the event welcomes those who want to spend the night in one fun-filled spot rather than navigating often dangerous roadways. Sponsoring venues are emphasizing safety and good health by making this an alcohol-free event, and one to be enjoyed by families. In many cases, three or even four generations can be found at the First Night event.
This year’s celebration will be held from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, throughout the downtown. Guests must purchase a button, which allows access to all the events. After Dec. 25, the buttons cost $10 each.
The popular Woods Tea Company will headline the entertainment offerings with their Irish folk songs, sea shanties, fiery Celtic tunes and dry humor and stage presence. Playing numerous venues each year across the country, they are a welcome guest at this year’s event, according to a statement from Entertainment Director Gerry Nason.
Local artist Moe Harrington and his White Chapel Old Tyme Country Band will be playing country and western tunes, based on a love of the folk tradition, a sprinkling of Nashville and reverence for the good old days of Vermont. Harrington’s voice and guitar playing are accompanied by fiddle, bass, mandolin, dulcimer and banjo, for a down-home sound.
Newcomers to the festival, Blue Hand Luke will provide an array of rock music for the dancing set. The quintet hails from the Albany, N.Y. area and includes three vocalists and a prominent guitar element. They will be playing songs both by their own pen as well as familiar covers of rock classics. Called “the hottest band in the capital region,†they will take the stage during the middle of the show.
After a great performance at the Summer in the Park series this past summer, One Love Reggae band returns to the Bennington area to bring their unique bland of rhythm and blues, reggae and calypso for those seeking a world-influenced beat. The well-known group plays primarily in Western New England, at colleges, night clubs, music festivals and private venues. Their music will show what a fresh instrumentation can do for classic tunes from the pop and rock and roll traditions.
Acoustic folk-rock player Tom Corrigan rounds out the performance with his up-tempo acoustic music, which combines traditional folk rock with his own savvy songwriting. Another veteran from the Summer in the Park series, Corrigan blends soulful singing with a sense of humor and insightful lyrics.
Besides the music, the First Night event will showcase a variety of local talent, including a comedy magic show, a puppet show, storytellers, a one-man circus act, wild animals, and a comedian. To get a First Night button, or more detailed information about the event, call the Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce at (802) 447-3311.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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