Berkshire Book Con Launches In Pittsfield

01:14PM / Tuesday, February 24, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Readers, writers, and book lovers from across the Berkshires are invited to the inaugural Berkshire Book Con, a one-day celebration of reading and writing, taking place Saturday, April 18.

The event is hosted by the Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library, Hot Plate Brewing Co., and Indie Readery & Records.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

According to a press release:

Designed for adults, Berkshire Book Con brings the community together through a shared love of books with a full day of engaging programs, including an author talk, creative contests, and opportunities to connect with fellow readers and writers.

Adults across the Berkshires are invited to take part in a Community Read by reading a shared book before Berkshire Book Con.

This year's Community Read selection is "Rules for Ghosting" by local author Shelly Jay Shore.

The day will kick off with an author talk, Q&A, and book signing at the Berkshire Athenaeum, offering attendees the chance to hear directly from Shore and discuss the book together.

Following the author talk, participants can explore an exhibit hall, browse a book fair, and participate in activities designed for readers and writers.

Highlights include a short story contest, an alternative book cover contest, trivia night, and a social hour designed to spark conversation and connection.

Berkshire Book Con is a new annual event celebrating the vibrant literary culture of the Berkshires, and everyone who loves to read, write, and share stories is invited to take part.

For more details, including event schedule, contest guidelines, and Community Read information, visit www.pittsfieldlibrary.org/bookcon.

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Another Holmes Road Bridge in Pittsfield Down to One Lane

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Tuesday, February 24, 2026

The location of the bridge on Holmes Road.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Another bridge on Holmes Road will be reduced to one lane indefinitely beginning next month and closed for the rest of the week.

It's the third bridge so far in the Berkshires that's been downgraded in the past month: The Briggsville bridge in Clarksburg is set to be replaced by a temporary bridge and the Park Street bridge in Adams has had weight restrictions placed on it.

On Tuesday, Pittsfield announced that the bridge over the Housatonic River, located between Cooper Parkway and Pomeroy Avenue will be reduced to one lane of traffic from Monday, March 2, until further notice.

"Due to a recent inspection by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation," a press release stated, it will be closed in both directions from Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 25) to Sunday, March 1, so that barriers and a signal can be installed.

Two years ago, a bridge farther down the road over the rail line reopened after a partial closure since 2019 and a full closure of more than 60 days.

The bridge over the Housatonic is identified as being structurally deficient by the state based on an inspection last October. Built in 1962, the 35-foot steel-and-concrete span has an overall condition of 4, or poor.

Pittsfield has identified a temporary detour during this work, using Pomeroy Avenue, Marshall Avenue and Cooper Parkway.

On March 2, two-way traffic will be restored in one lane and directed with a temporary signal.

Pittsfield reported that the state has selected this bridge for repair as part of the Funding for Accelerated Infrastructure Repair program and will take responsibility for design and repair "in an accelerated way." Gov. Maura Healey announced the program last month using funds from the Fair Share Act, and is part of the governor's $8 billion transportation plan.

iBerkshires has reached out to MassDOT for more information on this project.

Residents and officials celebrated the reopening of the bridge over the railroad in August 2023. It had been reduced to one lane since 2019 after being found structurally insufficient and in need of a $3.5 million replacement of the overpass structure. This included a new superstructure over the Housatonic Rail line, a restored sidewalk, improved bicycle access, pavement, and traffic barriers.

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