PITTSFIELD, Mass. Community members and Berkshire County visitors braved the cold on Friday morning for the city’s second annual Winter Festival. 

 

The event featured various activities, including a fire pit, sledding, s’more-making, a sled design contest and race, and more snowy activities. 

 

The festival aims to bring the community together and provide fun activities for kids on winter break. 

"It's been really great. There's a great turnout, a lot of kids, a lot of families, all smiling and having fun. I think it has a big impact. It's something fun for the kids to do while they're on school break for winter," said Jennifer VanBramer, recreation and special events coordinator.

 

"We've had a lot of community organizations come on out, like [RSI Signs, a Girl Scout troop, and Patriot Pop,] so it's bringing in the community together to have some fun and just enjoy the outdoors."

 

Several attendees emphasized how the event has fostered community bonding. 

 

Participants in the cardboard sled race, Arabelle Rose and Tanner Eugene Brennan shared that they made friends with another contestant, Blaise Hanger. They mentioned that they had spent the entire day together and formed a friendship.

 

Also, a couple and their child from Arizona attended the festivities and highlighted how this was everyone's first time sledding. 

 

The event continues the legacy of the Pittsfield Winter Carnival, VanBramer said. 

 

The carnival was established in 1946 by then Pittsfield Superintendent of Parks and Recreation Jackson Perry and had been coordinated by the recreation department since. 

 

In its heyday, it hosted speed skating and downhill championships and Olympic speed skating trials.

 

After more than half a century, the event’s committee was disbanded in 2011 due to the lack of volunteers and time. 

 

The event not only brought community members together but also introduced some Berkshire County visitors to sledding. 

 

 

 

Photos from the event are here.