Ring in the New Year with activities and events around Berkshire County this weekend.
Friday, Dec. 29
Kwanzaa Celebration
Tyler Street Lab, Pittsfield
Time: 6 p.m.
The Women of Color Given Circlehttps://www.facebook.com/wocgc1/ hosts this annaul Kwanzaa event celebrating the seven principles of Kwanzaa and African American culture. Well-known singer and lead vocalist Wanda Houston will be this year's special guest.
Saturday, Dec. 30
Nearly New Year Karoke at the Mountain Club
6 Anthony St., Adams
Time: 7 to 10 p.m.
A wide variety of songs to choose from, so everyone can find something to sing their heart out to with DJ Seth P. Fun, friendly and supportive environment. Admission is free; more information here.
Not New Year's Party
Berkshire East, Charlemont
Time: 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Whiskey Treat Road Show performs in the Main Lodge. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Concert tickets are $15 per person; quantities are limited. They can be purchased here.
'The Magic Flute' in HD
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Time: 12:55 p.m.
An encore presentation of the Metropolitan Opera's family-friendly production of Mozart's fairytale, sung in English and running under two hours.
Tickets range from $5 to $25; advance registration encouraged as capacity is limited. No refunds. Purchase tickets here.
Magic by George
Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield
Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
An afternoon of magic, comedy, and family entertainment with multi-award-winning magician Magic By George. Included with museum admission.
Sunday, Dec. 31
New Year's Eve Ball Drop
Center Street, North Adams
Time: 8 p.m.
This family friendly event will be held 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve so people of all ages can enjoy it. Gather in the Center Street parking lot behind 85 Main St. to help count down the drop.
The event is hosted by the North Adams Office of Tourism and the ball was created by North Adams Sheet Metal.
Take some time to view all the holiday windows and Christmas displays around the downtown before LumiNAMA Lights ends.
New Year's Eve Party
Bounti-Fare, Adams
Time: 8 p.m.
The Northern Berkshire Events Committee hosts this party with live music to ring in the New Year. Tickets are $35 per person and include hors d'oeuvres and a champagne toast.
DJ Pup Daddy will be counting down his top 20 dance tracks of 2023 as well as spinning party favorites from the past throughout the night. Free admission. More information here.
New Year's Eve at Bousquet
Bousquet Mountain, Pittsfield
Time: 9 p.m.
The party starts at 9 in the lodge but skiing and riding will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with music from 6 to 9. Kitchen closes at 7 but hors d'oeuvres will be served all night. Tickets are from $25 to $35 and can be purchased here.
Sensory Nature Walk
Margaret Lindley Park, Williamstown
Time: 10 a.m.
Enjoy nature during this one-mile walk and explore Hemlock Brook through touch, taste, sight, sound and smell. Geared toward families with children; dress appropriately.
Dinner, dancing, late-night snacks and midnight toast with music by DJ BFG. With pre fixe dinner at 7, $75 per person; after 8 p.m., dance party is $25.
The First Day Hikes initiative launched in 1992, when 400 hikers gathered to welcome the new year at the Blue Hills Reservation in Milton. The program aims to encourage year-round outdoor recreation and to inspire the public to discover the beauty of the Massachusetts State Parks system.
Meet at the Visitors Center, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, for an open house, two-mile self-guided hike and then come back to the center for hot chocolate.
Call ahead at 413-499-4262 in case of inclement weather.
For Something Different
First Annual Florence Lighted Tractor Parade
Trinity Row, Florence
Time: 6 to 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 29
The parade starts at Smith Vocational High School and spectators are encouraged to line Main Street starting at Trinity Row. The parade will step off at 6 and head to Look Park. Announcements will be made near MurDuff's Jewelry. Route and more information can be found here.
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North Adams School Finance Panel Reviews Fiscal 2026 Spending Plan
By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Finance & Facilities Committee took a deeper dive this week into next year's school spending plan.
The draft proposal for fiscal 2026 is $21,636,220, up 3.36 percent that will be offset with $940,008 in school choice funds, bringing the total to $20,696,212, or a 2.17 percent increase.
Business and Finance Director Nancy Rauscher said the district's school choice account would be in relatively good shape at the end of fiscal 2026.
As a practice, the district has been to trying not to exceed the prior year's revenue and to maintain a 5 percent surplus for unexpected special education expenses. However, this year's revenue would be about $500,000 so the amount used would be significantly more.
"But given our current balance, we could absorb that in the net result of what we're anticipating in the way of revenue next year," Rauscher said. "Relative to committing $940,000 to school choice spending next year, that would leave us with a projected balance at the end of FY 26 of a little over $1.2 million, and that's about 6 percent of our operating budget."
But committee members expressed concerns about drawing down school choice funds that are projected to decrease in coming years.
"I think mostly we're going to go through this and we're going to see things that this just can't be cut, right? It's just, it is what it is, and if we want to provide, what we can provide," said Richard Alcombright. "How do we prepare for this, this revenue shortfall?"
Ashlyn Lesure scored 18 points, and Regan Shea and Emma Meczywor added 15 and 11, respectively, as the Hurricanes successfully defended their 2024 state crown and won the program’s fourth state title in a run that has seen Hoosac Valley go to the state final nine times since 2014. click for more
The draft proposal for fiscal 2026 is $21,636,220, up 3.36 percent that will be offset with $940,008 in school choice funds, bringing the total to $20,696,212, or a 2.17 percent increase.
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Two members of the family, an adult and a minor, sustained serious injuries; two members of the family, an adult and a minor, sustained minor injuries; and one four-year old child died inside the residence. click for more
Mayor Jennifer Macksey had hoped to gain immediate approval on the purchase-and-sale agreement with the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art Foundation but councilors balked at approving a document they'd had for only a few days.
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Moresi & Associates is moving forward with housing in the former Notre Dame School and the Williamstown Theatre Festival is planning performances in North Adams.
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