Colonial Horse & Carriage Show Returning To Stockbridge

STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Carriage drivers from around the region and more than 50 horses will descend on 200-acre Orleton Farm this weekend.

The annual Orleton Farm Pleasure Driving Show brings drivers to compete in an array of classes and show off their best horses and antique carriages.

What used to be a semi-private competition has evolved to become a promotion for the sport with the organizers turning the show into public event and festival.

"It's keeping a tradition alive," said Cindy Tirrell, who has helped organize the event. "If people don't keep doing it then it will fade out."

The carriages date back to as early at 1870 and are kept in pristine condition. The drivers, who sometimes dress in vintage garb, are judged in categories from navigating the carriage around obstacles to a cross-country race to traditional appearances to speed.

There are an array of groupings including carriages pulled by miniature horses to drivers over the age of 65.

"It's busy. It is perpetual motion," Tirrell said of the jam-packed schedule of competitions. "It really is a lot of fun. It's unique and perfect for families."

Additionally, the weekend includes more than 20 local artisans selling handcrafted goods, an open carriage museum, wagon rides, food catered by Mad Jack's BBQ and an antique car cruise.

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.