25th Annual Berkshire Robotics Challenge Set for March 14 in Dalton

10:12AM / Friday, March 13, 2026Print Story | Email Story

DALTON, Mass. — The Berkshire Innovation Center will host the 25th annual Berkshire Robotics Challenge on Saturday, March 14, at Wahconah Regional High School. The event, which is free and open to the public, features 25 teams comprising more than 250 students from throughout Berkshire County.

This year's theme, "UNEARTHED," focuses on archaeology. Participating students will use programmable robots to complete missions designed to simulate uncovering historical artifacts and innovations.

The program begins at 8:55 a.m. with a keynote address by Dr. Antonia Foias, Parish Professor of Anthropology at Williams College. Competition rounds are scheduled between 9:30 a.m. and noon. Following the initial rounds, the top eight point-scorers will advance to the "Great Eight Playoff" at 12:35 p.m.

An awards ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Honors will be presented in several categories, including:

Performance Awards: Challenge Champion, First Runner Up, and Semi-Finalists.

Design & Technical Awards: Best Mechanical Design, Most Innovative Design, Best Programming, and Best Research Project.

Special Recognition: Sportsmanship, Team Spirit, "Comeback Kids," and "Against All Odds" awards.

The Berkshire Innovation Center serves as both the host and primary sponsor for the annual competition.

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Dance Fundraiser to Support Boston Children’s Hospital

Community submission06:29AM / Tuesday, March 10, 2026

DALTON, Mass. -- Grooving for Good, a dance fund-raiser to benefit the Boston Children's Hospital, is scheduled for Friday, March 27, at the Stationery Factory.

The event will support local business owner Tony Riello, who will run April's Boston Marathon as part of the hospital's Miles for Miracles team.

March marks one year since Riello’s son, AJ, then 15, underwent open-heart surgery while awaiting a heart transplant at Boston Children’s Hospital. AJ received his transplant shortly after and is now thriving—back in school as a sophomore, looking forward to summer, and preparing for his junior year of high school.

The Riello family is committed to giving back to the hospital and community that supported them during their most difficult days.

“Boston Children’s saved AJ’s life,” the family shared. “We want to pay forward the love, expertise, and hope we received.”

Grooving For Good invites the community to celebrate, dance, and give back. Attendees may choose from two ticket options: $25 for dance party admission or $50 for Dance Marathon entry with a chance to compete for a $1,000 prize.

The evening will also feature raffles, a 50/50 drawing, and additional surprises to keep the energy high throughout the night.

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