Berkshire Pride Announces Rainbow Guitar Raffle Fundraiser

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— Berkshire Pride has launched a fundraising raffle featuring a handcrafted acoustic rainbow guitar.

The instrument was created and donated by Nick Lenski of Brier Road Guitars and Berkshire Stringed Instruments, located in North Adams.

The rainbow design of the guitar symbolizes inclusion and diversity within the LGBTQ+ community, and its creation represents local artistry.

Raffle tickets are currently available for purchase at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/win-a-one-of-a-kind-handcrafted-guitar-valued-at-dollar5200. Proceeds from ticket sales will support Berkshire Pride’s year-round programming, including advocacy, events, education, and community support initiatives throughout the Berkshires.

Cass Santos-China, Berkshire Pride’s Executive Director, expressed gratitude to Nick Lenski for his donation and highlighted the raffle as an opportunity for community members to support the organization’s mission while celebrating local craftsmanship.

The guitar will be displayed at upcoming Berkshire Pride events: NextGen Pride on May 25, the Pride Festival on June 7, Lee Pride on June 14, North Adams Pride on June 20, and Berkshire Busk on June 28.

The raffle winner will be selected in July.

Barrett Holds off Fitch in State House Race

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
11:20PM / Tuesday, September 01, 2026

Candidate Andrew Fitch thanks his supporters for their work on the campaign and promised 'we're going to get him next time.'

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — State Rep. John Barrett III showed Tuesday that it is still his time to serve.

 

In an election night cliffhanger that had supporters of each candidate anxiously checking their cell phone screens two hours after the polls closed, Barrett defeated challenger Andrew Fitch in the First Berkshire Democratic primary for the State House of Representatives.

 

With one town, Peru, missing from the vote total, Fitch called Barrett to concede the race at about 10 p.m. with Barrett holding a 3,597-3,476 lead, a margin of 121 votes.

 

With no Republican on the ballot, Tuesday's winner will be unopposed in the November general election.

 

After receiving well wishes from his supporters at the GOAT Sports Bar and Grill, Barrett talked about his win and shared part of his motivation for seeking another two years in the post he has held since 2017.

 

"When [Fitch] called me up and said that he was going to be running against me and said, 'I want to announce I'm going to run in two weeks,' and then he says, 'This is my time and your time to retire,'" Barrett said. "Well, that's when I decided I was going to run."

 

On Tuesday, Barrett congratulated Fitch, a North Adams city councilor, on a well-run campaign after accepting his concession.