Berkshire Pride Announces Expansion and 2025 Event Schedule

04:05PM / Sunday, January 26, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Pride has unveiled new initiatives and events aimed at fostering inclusivity across Berkshire County.

Highlights include the integration of North Adams Pride, the launch of Lee Pride, and the addition of Drag Story Hour, Berkshire Chapter, as a program under Berkshire Pride.

North Adams Pride, known for events like Pride Night and the Northern Lights Ball, will now collaborate with Berkshire Pride to expand resources and programming in North County. Meanwhile, the newly launched Lee Pride will focus on serving the LGBTQIA+ community in Lee and surrounding areas with events celebrating diversity and inclusion. Drag Story Hour, Berkshire Chapter, joins Berkshire Pride to bring affirming, literacy-focused experiences to LGBTQIA+ youth and families.

Berkshire Pride's 2025 schedule features a variety of events, including:

February 14: Eternal Flame Valentine Dance Party – Stationery Factory with DJ BFG and a dazzling drag show.
March 1: Northern Lights Ball – Elks Lodge, North Adams.
May 10: Youth Prom – An inclusive prom experience for LGBTQ+ youth.
May 31: Flag Raising Ceremony & Block Party – Pittsfield City Hall & School St.
June 1: Rainbow Run 5K & Youth Pride – Family-friendly run and youth celebration.
June 7: 9th Annual Berkshire Pride Festival & Parade – The Common Park, Pittsfield.
June 13: Berkshire Pride Party-Stationery Factory with DJ BFG , VIP is back!
June 14: Lee Pride – Celebrating inclusion and community spirit in Lee.
June 20: North Adams Pride Night – An evening of celebration in North Adams.
June 28: Berkshire Pride Night at Berkshire Busk – Showcasing LGBTQ+ performers in Great Barrington.
October 10: Prideoween- Stationery Factory with DJ BFG and a dazzling drag show.

To support these efforts, Berkshire Pride has launched a "Pride Without Borders" campaign to raise $75,000 for expanded programming and safe spaces. The organization also announced the return of the Pride Guide, inviting local organizations and businesses to participate by listing events or advertising.

For more information, visit www.berkshirepride.org or contact Executive Director Cass Santos-China at Cass@berkshirepride.org.

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Hinsdale Considers Switching Dispatch Centers Amid Response Time Concerns

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:12AM / Monday, August 24, 2026

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has experienced longer emergency response times since the Dalton Police Department suspended its mutual aid agreement with Hinsdale. Now, Hinsdale is considering suspending its use of Dalton's Communication Center.

During the Hinsdale Select Board meeting on Aug. 12, board member Margaret Gregory raised concerns about the department's response times, recounting an incident the previous Sunday when she called police at about 9:51 p.m. but did not see a state trooper arrive until approximately 10:45 p.m.

"We're here to protect the town and make sure we're getting the aid that we need. That did not happen," she said in a follow-up with the media.

Now word has gotten to Dalton that Hinsdale's department has requested to withdraw from the Dalton Communication Center and use the Berkshire Regional Emergency Communications Center instead.

Dalton Town Manager Eric Anderson informed Dalton's Select Board that he heard indirectly from the state's communications center of Hinsdale's request and that there will be a meeting with the E911 system and all parties sometime later in September.

In order for Hinsdale to switch to the state call center, the town would have to obtain funding to ensure the town's equipment works with the state's.

During Hinsdale's August meeting, Gregory told Peru Police Chief Bruce Cullett that she is concerned with how Dalton's dispatch is relaying information to the state, citing that calls from multiple people about shots fired shouldn't be an hour wait.

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