There will be a variety of events in the Berkshires this weekend including a garlic festival, a community picnic, an artwalk, and more.
Editor's Pick
Garlic Town
Bennington, Vt.
Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Bennington is hosting its annual garlic festival this Saturday in celebration of all things garlic and agriculture.
Just 20 minutes from North County, the event will feature bands, beer, food trucks, and a curated group of more than 120 vendors.
The festival will run in two areas, or "cloves," on Main Street at the old Greenberg's and on Depot Street near Bennington Station. Participants can walk or take a shuttle between cloves.
Tickets are $12; $5 for kids 12 and younger. For more information visit the website.
Friday
First Fridays Artswalk
Downtown Pittsfield
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
It's the first Friday of the month, art enthusiasts know what that means — the city's First Friday Artwalk.
The event features a dozen art shows and exhibits on view at venues around downtown Pittsfield. Most of the art is on display throughout Sept.
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to meet the artists. Download the Downtown Pittsfield Inc. app from the Google Play or App Store to get a virtual walking tour.
Participating venues include Soma's Aromas, Clock Tower Artists, Marketplace Cafe, Witch Slapped, and more.
For a complete list of participating venues and artists visit the Art Walk website.
FIRST Friday Community Picnic on Eagle Street
Historic Eagle Street, North Adams
Time: 5 to 9
Historic Eagle Street will be closed to traffic to make room for music, food and events. Order takeout from a local restaurant or food truck and enjoy your meal with the community.
The event features street games, live music, face painting, a bouncy house for kids, gallery openings, live music, shop specials, and more.
Take a ride on the Hoosac Valley Train north and back to learn about the history of the region and tracks.
The trip includes one ice cream voucher per ticket to redeem after the train returns to Adams. More information here.
Second Street Second Chances Exhibit Opening
Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield
The exhibition opens to the public on Saturday, Sept. 2 and remains on view through Sunday, Oct. 1.
Artists whose work is included in the exhibition will receive a cash award of $200, provided by 2nd Street, and a family membership to Berkshire Museum.
If the artists choose, their works may be purchased by members of the public following the closing of the exhibition. In addition, 2nd Street has established a fund to acquire works for installation in its program space, located at 264 Second Street in Pittsfield.
Nonprofit, Music in Common, will present a live performance by four emerging local singer-songwriters.
The performers, Katherine Winston, Bree, Glori Wilder, and Christine Bilé, will perform a variety of musical genres from pop, folk and R&B. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
Walk around and explore the studios of various artists involved in the Clock Tower Artists collaborative. Meet the artists, and maybe even acquire a piece of artwork to take with you. More information here.
Sunday
La Cocina Reunion 2023
Bounti Fare, Adams
Time: 2 p.m.
Friends, former employees and patrons of La Cocina are invited to enjoy a day of food, music and social networking.
Tickets cost $20 and kids 12 and under are free. Funds raised will benefit Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter and Kids4Harmony.
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.
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Community Hero: Noelle Howland
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
Noelle Howland is committed to keeping alive the late Pittsfield ACO Eleanor Sonsini's mission of helping animals ... albeit farther north in North Adams.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — No Paws Left Behind Executive Director Noelle Howland has been selected as the November Community Hero of the Month.
The Community Hero of the Month series honors individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in their community. The series sponsor, Haddad Auto, has extended this initiative for one more month.
Howland breathed new life into the mission of the former Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter, which closed in August 2023.
The shelter in Pittsfield operated under the mission established by Eleanor Sonsini, a local animal rights activist and longtime animal control officer in Pittsfield, to be a no-kill shelter committed to finding surrendered and abandoned pets new forever homes.
Howland's love for animals, dedication to their well-being, and expertise in animal behavior and training and shelter management brought this mission to new heights at No Paws Left Behind, a new shelter for dogs located at 69 Hodges Cross Road.
"I want people to understand that I know it's hard to surrender. So, my biggest thing is [making sure] people know that, of course, we're not judging you. We're here to help you," Howland said.
When Sonsini announced its closing, Howland, who was the shelter's manager, worked to save it, launching fundraising initiatives. However, the previous board decided to close the shelter down and agreed to let Howland open her own shelter using their mission.
Now dubbed the North Adams Recreation Center, the building attached to Brayton Elementary School has been scrubbed clean and opened last month for some activities.
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There are several events this weekend, including an immersive installation, live music, and book activities. See a list of upcoming bazaars, craft fairs and markets here.
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