image description — Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus wave at last year's tree lighting in Pittsfield. The city's taking signups for the North Pole Calling Program until Dec. 9.

Santa Will Be Calling Pittsfield Children This Holiday Season

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:22PM / Monday, November 24, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Santa and Mrs. Claus will be calling Pittsfield children to ask them what they want for Christmas.

The city of Pittsfield is hosting its 44th annual North Pole Calling Program this December.

Children from kindergarten to second-graders, or any children who still believes, will be receiving phone calls from the Clauses on Wednesday, Dec. 10, and Thursday, Dec 11, between 5 and 7:30 p.m. if signed up for the program.

The elementary schools sent home forms for parents to sign to get a call from the Clauses this holiday season.

"It's definitely a meaningful program. I think it gives kids an opportunity, if they don't have a chance to meet Santa in person at other community events. It kind of brings that magic right into their homes with a special phone call that maybe they weren't expecting," said Recreation & Special Events Coordinator Jennifer VanBramer.

Santa or the missus, or the occasional elf, hops on the line to learn more about the children and what gifts they are hoping to open on Christmas day — while also encouraging them to help out around the house to stay on the nice list.

"He asks what grade they're in, what school they go to, who their teacher is, what gifts they're hoping for this Christmas, and then anything that the parents want Santa or Mrs. Claus to share with their child, specifically, whether it's making sure their room is clean, they're being nice to their siblings, they're helping out mom and dad at home," VanBramer said.

Around 10 volunteers "assist" the Clauses, hoping to bring joy to children across the city.

"We try to just bring as much joy and happiness to the kids that we can make it making the holidays a bit more. Special for them," she said.

So far, around 30 families have signed up; last year, around 150 calls were made. Calls are also available in Spanish.

The program is also open to Pittsfield children who may not attending the public schools as well as older kids who would like a call.

The city is still seeking volunteers to make and anyone interested in signing up can contact VanBramer.

Residents can pick up a hard copy form at City Hall as well as fill out the forms online and email them to jvanbramer@cityofpittsfield.org or call 413-499-9371 for questions. All forms must be returned to VanBramer by Dec. 9.

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Pittsfield Signs Negotiating Rights Agreement With Suns Baseball Team

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:49AM / Thursday, December 18, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Suns will call Wahconah Park home again.

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission accepted a negotiating rights agreement between the city and longtime summer collegiate baseball team, the Pittsfield Suns. It solidifies that the two will work together when the historic ballpark is renovated.

It remains in effect until the end of 2027, or when a license or lease agreement is signed. Terms will be automatically extended to the end of 2028 if it appears the facility won't be complete by then.

"It certainly looks like it lays out kind of both what the Suns and Pittsfield would like to see over the next year or so during this construction plan, to be able to work together and work exclusively with each other in this time," Commissioner Anthony DeMartino said.

Owner Jeff Goldklang, joining virtually, said he shared those thoughts, and the team looks forward to starting negotiations. After this approval, it will need a signature from Mayor Peter Marchetti and the baseball team.

The negotiating rights agreement recognizes the long-standing relationship between Pittsfield and the team dating back to 2012, and the Suns' ownership group's historical ties to Wahconah Park and the city dating to the 1980s. The team skipped the 2024 and 2025 seasons after the historic grandstand was deemed unsafe in 2022.

The Suns were granted the exclusive right to negotiate in good faith with the city for a license or lease agreement where the Suns will be the primary tenant. During the terms of the agreement, the city can't negotiate or enter into an agreement with another party for leniency, licensing, or operation of Wahconah Park for professional or collegiate summer baseball.

"The Parties acknowledge the historic and cultural importance of Wahconah park to the residents of Berkshire County and share a mutual goal of providing community access, engagement, and programming on a broad and inclusive scale," it reads.

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