There's more than just zucchini at this squash fest. The town's downtown at Depot and Center Street will have live music, baking contests, rock climbing, dunking booth, artists, food and a pet parade during the day. And, of course, lots of zucchini themed games and contests, zucchini merchandise, and zucchini foods.
From 5 to 10, its dancing in the street to popular local bands and fireworks show. The food court will be open until 9:30 p.m.
Celebrate the pet supply store's 10 birthday with a bounce house, popcorn and donuts, games for dogs, samples, giveaways, and raffles.
Henna Workshop
North Adams Public Library
Time: 3 p.m.
The public library will be having a free henna workshop so participants can create their own temporary tattoos that last up to two weeks.
The event is for ages 13 and older in the library's parlor. No registration is necessary. More information here.
Whiskey City Performance
VFW, Great Barrington
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Country band Whiskey City will be having its only outdoor concert of the summer. All ages are welcome. Adults are $5 per person, kids 12 and younger free. More information here.
Magnolia Boulevard Performance
The Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: Doors open 6:30, performance 7:30
Lexington, Ky.-based band Magnolia Boulevard will be performing a fusion of rock, blues, and soul. Opening for the band will be Western Mass trio Riverside Brothers. Tickets are $20. More information here.
Friday
Comedy Night at TurnPark
TurnPark Art Space, West Stockbridge
Time: 7 to 10 p.m.
Laugh the night away from a performance by comedian David Drake. Tickets are $20. More information here.
Steven Gellman Performance
Berkshire Food Co-op, Great Barrington
Time: Noon to 2
Grab lunch and sit on the patio and listen to folk singer-songwriter Steven Gellman.
Can't make it to the show? No worries, he will also be performing during Great Barrington's Berkshire Busk outdoor music series on Saturday from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m.
Brooklyn, N.Y., band The National Reserve performances combine "gutbucket R&B, Laurel Canyon lyricism, New Orleans funk workouts, late night soul, and bluesy, boozy rock 'n' roll," according to the Barn.
There will be a Barbie-themed dance party featuring spins by DJ Marc the Don. Wear your best pink or Barbie-themed outfit and dance the night away. More information here.
Bennington Food Truck Festival
Main and School Street, Bennington, Vt.
This free admission food truck festival features a wide variety of dishes, including Mexican, Jamaican, Mediterranean, Wood-fired pizza, comfort foods, and more. The event will also have live music, artisans, and face painting. More information here.
5th Annual Art of Brewing Festival
Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Sample some of the best craft brews in the region along with food truck cuisine and peruse some illustrative beer-themed art. There will also be distillers, coffee brewers and other food products made through fermentation, along with lawn games and music. Includes a commemorative beer glass and other gifts.
Tickets are $30 for members; $40 for others. ID required for beer tasting. More information here.
The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow
Berkshire East Mountain Resort, Charlemont
Folk rock band Whiskey Treaty Roadshow will be performing. Check out our story on the making of this collaborative band here. Tickets here.
BFG Music Factory Dance Party
The Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: 8 to 11 p.m.
The Stationery Factory has rebranded its monthly Dance Parties with DJ BFG. There will be drinks, a large dance floor, seating and more. Tickets are $10. More information here.
Scenic Songs: Hiking Concert
Notchview, Windsor
Time: 4 p.m.
Musician, writer, and producer Erin McKeown will be performing her works that cover a range of American music styles. More information here.
Sunday
Rees Shad and the Conversations
Bright Ideas Brewing, North Adams
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Rees Shad will lead a performance with jazz pop combo the Conversations featuring original music. More information here.
Mini Maker Market
Greylock Works, North Adams
The market is a gathering of regional artisans that provides an opportunity for the community to connect and shop with local creatives.
Participate in an hourlong workout outside and conclude celebrate your achievement with a complimentary glass of wine. Tickets are $20. Don't forget to bring a mat and water. More information here.
Mini Maker Market
Greylock Works, North Adams
Time: 9:30 a.m.
The market is a gathering of regional artisans that provides an opportunity for the community to connect and shop with local creatives.
The North Adams market is open every Saturday and offers produce and baked goods from local retailers including Red Shirt Farm, Fahey Family Farm, Bohemian Nouveaux Bakery, Mon Artistic Pets, and more. More information here.
Pittsfield Farmers Market
The Common, Pittsfield
Time: 9 to 1.
Powered by Roots Rising, the market is open every Saturday rain or shine.
Each week the market will have fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables, along with meat, eggs, cheese, baked goods by local vendors. Participants can shop for flowers, and artisan goods while listening to music and participate in family activities. For more information, visit the website.
Great Barrington Farmers Market
18 Church St.
Time: 9 to 1.
The market is open every Saturday. Every week there will be locally grown food, flowers, and plants along with other local vendors. More information here.
Berkshire Area Farmers Market
Berkshire Mall parking lot, Lanesborough
Time: 8 to 2
The market is open every Saturday and features produce and products from Western Mass farms. More information here.
Lenox Farmers Market
80 Church St., Lenox
Time: 11 to 3.
This market is open every Friday and features fresh produce, breads, artisanal & specialty foods and crafts, and more. The market accepts SNAP. More information here.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Child-Care Providers Want Mental Health Support, Better Wages
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler and Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw host a listening session on early child care at BCC on Wednesday.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Local child-care providers called for mental health support and equitable pay at a listening session with state officials this week.
"We don't provide resources for our educators so that they have a strength in the classroom. They're putting out fires constantly. How are they educating? How are they teaching?" said Elise Weller, senior director of child care services at 18 Degrees.
"The social-emotional development of these children is so important."
Katherine Von Haefen, director of community impact at Berkshire United Way, said a single parent with school-aged children needs to make between $70,000 and $80,000 annually just to meet basic needs and a great many local parents are not making that mark — including teachers.
"Just over half of our population now in Berkshire County is considered to be economically challenged, working yet still struggling to make ends meet. Too many of our local educators are part of this economically challenged population," she said.
"Frequently we hear directors sharing stories of staff refusing raises or bonuses so that they do not lose out on key benefits. This is not OK. Early childhood compensation is truly a very complicated issue and one that frankly, has not yet been fully successfully addressed across the country. It's one that's complicated yet, we still need to look at a variety of possible solutions. Multiple solutions that can be piloted and road tested before engaging in large-scale efforts."
Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler and Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw hosted the childcare listening session Wednesday at Berkshire Community College. The panel also included state Outdoor Recreation Director Paul Jahnige, Alvina Brevard of the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and Undersecretary of Education Mark Reilly.
"We know that there are some really difficult barriers facing this particular field: accessibility, affordability for families, opportunity, and so we will be discussing, I'm sure, all of that," BCC President Ellen Kennedy said.
"I am particularly committed to this. I am the parent of a son who is now in his thirties with a son who was at a child-care center but my son went in at eight weeks old and I have shared on one or two occasions that it was the professionals in the child-care center that made me a better parent, that actually taught me how to parent, and I am forever in their debt for the ways in which they helped me help my son."
On Monday, the Licensing Board approved a new annual downtown all-alcohol restaurant license for the eatery's new location in the former Trattoria Rustica at 27 McKay St.
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Construction vehicles and piles of materials can be seen on the southern portion of the 237-acre park next to the pavilion. Plans include sediment removal, dam repair, and increased accessibility.
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The parking medians are overgrown with weeds, the rain gardens look like jungles and greenery is invading the spaces around the building's exterior.
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