Weekend Outlook: Independence Weekend
Check out some of the events happening in the Berkshires this weekend, including Independence Day events, fireflies, and more. Closures and main events can be found here.
Farmers' markets are open for the season and can be found here.
Friday
Downtown Pittsfield
Time: 10 a.m.
The annual Pittsfield 4th of July parade will start at 10 a.m. at the intersection of South and Housatonic Streets and will head north up South Street on the southbound lane and will end at Wahconah Park.
This year's event is themed "Young at Heart," and it will have more than 100 units, including over a dozen floats, several musical and dance performances, and other elements that celebrate the community's youth.
No parking will be allowed at Wahconah Park; however, parking is available at the Fenn Street/First Street lot, the Eagle Street lot, the McKay Street lot/garage, and the Summer Street lot.
More information here. Pittsfield Community Television will livestream the parade.
Free Berkshire Carousel Rides
50 Center St., Pittsfield
Time: Noon to 2 p.m.
There will be free rides on the carousel in memory of Annie M. "Apple Annie" Snyder. More information here.
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Wahconah Park, Pittsfield
Joe Wolfe Field, North Adams
Time: 5:30 & 6:30
The Berkshire Adult Baseball League is hosting a free baseball game at Wahconah Park starting at 6:30 p.m. between the Great Barrington Millers and the Berkshire Bandits.
Fireworks will be on display in the area of Wahconah Park following the completion of the baseball game or at dusk, whichever is later.
More information here.
The SteepleCats are playing the North Shore Navigators at Joe Wolfe; game starts at 5:30 p.m. with fireworks following at dusk.
Community Reading of Frederick Douglass' Fourth of July Address
TurnPark Art Space, West Stockbridge
Time: 11 a.m.
There will be a public reading of highlights from Frederick Douglass' abolitionist speech: "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July" originally delivered on July 5, 1852, in Rochester, N.Y.
More information here.
Williamstown Fourth of July
Spring Street, Williams College
Time: 10 to 5, with fireworks at 9
The annual Fourth of July Parade starts at 11 a.m. from Southworth to Main to Spring Street for a community hot dog cookout, a Brass-O-Mania concert at the post office; there's also family activities downtown from 10 to 12:30 and a free community swim at Sand Springs from noon to 5. The WTF and college's reading of the founding documents at Sawyer Library is at 1 p.m. (they will also be on display until 2:30) and fireworks will be held over the Taconic Golf Club at 9, grounds open at 6. More activities listed here.
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Hoosac Valley Train Rides, Adams
Departure: 8:30 p.m.
Skip the traffic and parking issues by taking a ride to the fireworks by an air-conditioned train that will arrival in North Adams shortly before the anticipated start of the fireworks.
The reserved location for viewing will be just a few steps from the train. Bring your own snacks and beverages.
Coach seating is $25 for adults and $18 for children between 3 to 12. First class seating is $32 for adults, $25 for children or $125 for a table for four.
More information here.
Firefly Frolic
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 8:30 p.m.
As fireworks are set off throughout the county, nature has a light show of its own. The center will have activities designed to help inspire children to respect nature and adopt caring mannerisms when dealing with even the smallest of living resources. There will be room for 35 participants to play the game indoors.
Following that participants will head outdoors and take a short walk in the lower fields that have been described as "filled with sparkling glitter."
More information here.
Saturday
Nature Inspired Tai Chi
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
Time: 9 a.m.
There will be a guided tai chi flow and forest bathing experience to help participants relax and rejuvenate.
The session features tai chi movements inspired by nature, with the certified tai chi and yoga instructor Mary Hannah Parkman, who will tailor the experience to the group's needs. All levels of experience are welcome.
Tickets are $15 for adult members or $20 for adult nonmembers. More information here.
4 Hoosac St., Adams
Departures: 1:30 and 3 p.m.
Get out of the heat and take a journey on a train while having ice cream. Coach seating is $24 for individuals over 13, $18 for children between 2 and 12, and $5 for toddlers. Tickets come with ice cream.
More information here.
Free Concert
334 Main St., Great Barrington
Time: 9:30 a.m.
Local musician Eric Reinhardt will perform a selection of songs by David Grover, including some that were originally performed by the singer more than 30 years ago, at the gazebo now named in his honor.
More information here.
Pike's Pond Wildlife Exploration
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox
Time: 10 a.m.
Take the nearly mile-long All Persons Trail to search for signs of resident wildlife and learn some of the history of Mass Audubon's Pleasant Valley and the pond itself. Open to participants of all abilities; benches and seating available. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a loaner pair; all-terrain Freedom Chair and Rollator are available to borrow.
Walk-ins welcome; register ahead and purchase tickets here.
Sunday
Doris Duke Theatre Open House and Community Pop-Up
Jacob's Pillow, Becket
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Jacob's Pillow is holding an open house and community pop-up ahead of the ribbon cutting of its Doris Duke Theatre.
The event features a range of activities including free tours of the new theater, the opening of the exhibit "Dancing the Algorithm," and a community performance.
More information here.
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McKay Street Parking Lot
Time 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Antique cars, hot rods, and some newer vehicles, some of which will also be participating in the parade, will be on display on McKay Street.
There will be a 50/50 raffle, awards, and food from local eats, including BB’s Hot Spot and the Chill Zone
All proceeds of this event will go toward Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Committee. There will be parking available in the McKay Street garage located behind the Beacon Cinema.
More information here.
Free Music Sundays
Lee Congregational Church
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Fannie Pack and Rounders Revival will be performing as part of Lee Cultural Council's Sundays in the Park music series.
More information here.
Fireflies and Twilight Wildlife
Greylock Glen, Adams
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Explore nocturnal wildlife with a naturalist during a walk of the Glen Meadow Loop Trail will focus on fireflies.
The trail is 1.7 miles on a gravel-paved, gently sloping path. Registration is recommended, with limited walk-in spots available for cash or check.
More information here.
Multiple Days
Berkshires Arts Festival
Ski Butternut, Great Barrington
Days: July 4-6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and until 5 on Sunday.
The annual art festival highlights summer in the Berkshires. On display will be work in various mediums by 200 artists, including glass, ceramics, painting, mixed media, and photography.
The event will also have music and food. Tickets range from $7 to $20. More information here.
Great Barrington Farmers Market
18 Church St.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The market is open every Saturday. Every week, locally grown food, flowers, and plants will be available, along with other local vendors. The market accepts and offers doubling SNAP, HIP, WIC, and Senior market coupons. More information is here.
Lee Farmers Market
The Town Park
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The market offers locally grown produce, prepared foods, locally created arts and crafts, and herbal products. YogaLee offers free community yoga from 9:30 to 10:30 on the first Saturday of each month.
The market accepts SNAP, HIP, Senior Coupons, and WIC Coupons and also offers Market Match. More information here.
Lenox Farmers Market
St. Ann's Church
Friday: 11 to 3.
This market is open every Friday through Sept. 12 and features fresh produce, pastries, cheeses, and more.
More information here.
New Marlborough Farmers Market
Village Green
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The market has local vendors that offer a variety of goods from produce, eggs, baked goods, jams, hand-knit items, maple syrup, and more. More information here.
North Adams Farmers Market
Main Street
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The south side of Main Street from American Legion Drive will be closed to make room for the city's weekly farmers market, which will kick off this Saturday. Explore downtown North Adams and discover local businesses and fresh produce from local farms. More information here.
Pittsfield Farmers Market
Pittsfield Common
Saturday, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Roots Rising, the region's first teen-run market, will hold an indoor farmers market this Saturday. The event will feature live music, chef demos, workshops, children's activities, and more. More information here.
Sheffield Farmers Market
125 Main St.
Fridays, 3 to 6 p.m.
The market features healthy food and products from a variety of local vendors, aiming to nourish the community by supporting "local small farms, land, bees, and economy."
More information here.
Williamstown Farmers Market
Spring Street
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The market features a diverse range of local food and artisan vendors, along with local services and live music. More information here.
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