Yankee Doodle Days Coming to Charlemont

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CHARLEMONT, Mass. — The Friends of The Charlemont Fairgrounds, a collective group of community members, have announced upcoming dates for the town's fair, Yankee Doodle Days.

Yankee Doodle Days was born of old traditions and the town's heritage, with the aim of providing for relevant fun and exhibitions of today.

Yankee Doodle Days will be held this year from Friday, July 23, through Sunday, July 25, at the Charlemont Fairgrounds, Route 8. Gates open on Friday at 4 p.m., with WHAI's Bobby C. hosting. Gates will close around 10 after a fireworks display by Atlas Fireworks Production. Gates open both Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m., closing Saturday at 10 p.m. and Sunday after the Demolition Derby.

Attractions include children's amusements such as Belanger Brothers Inflatables, trackless train, games and concessions. There also will be a petting zoo, "home-grown children’s games," Bowey the Clown, Magic Brushes face painter, hula hoops, and a kid's tractor-pull.


Addtionally, there will be 10th Regiment Civil War re-enactments, an ox draw, and knife throwing by One Sharp Marriage. Other attractions include live music and food, including Cliff’s Smokin' Backyard BBQ, craft vendors and the Charlemont Federated Church Auction. The Exhibition Hall will display agricultural bounty and local artists' displays.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 4 through 12, and free for children 3 and younger. All proceeds supports the Friends of the Charlemont Fairgrounds (a nonprofit organization), which works to protect, preserve and restore the fairground's historical buildings.

For additional information, contact Kim Blakeslee at 413-339-4305, Jerry Gosetti at 413-339-4305, or visit www.charlemontfairgrounds.org.
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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building. 

"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said. 

The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board. 

J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries. 

The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use. 

No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac. 

"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application. 

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