There are a variety of events this weekend in the Berkshires including festivals, Valentine's Day themed events, and more.
Editor's Pick
10×10 Festival
Pittsfield
Time: various
Berkshire County business and organizations join forces with Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development for the annual 10x10 Festival, a week of events to celebrate the winter season beginning Thursday.
This weekend's festivities include the inaugural Clapp Park Winter Festival, Hancock Shaker Village's The Big Chill, art exhibits, live music, and more.
Celebrate the winter season with a festival from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Participants have a range of activities to choose from including the Chowder Cook-off, crafters' market, horse-drawn wagon rides, Main Street bonfire, free ice skating, Children's Winter Carnival, and more.
Winter Wildlife Tracking at Mount Greylock State Reservation
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 12:30
Explore woodlands and wildlife of Mount Greylock during this three-hour guided hike led by Mass Appalachian Trail Management Committee member Jim Pelletier and Janice Tassinari.
Registration is required by calling 413-499-4262; more information here.
Cardboard Box Race
Otis Ridge Ski Area
Time: 1 p.m.
Grab some duct tape and craft a cardboard sled for a day of cardboard racing. The only rule is sleds must be made of cardboard and duct tape. There will be prizes including the fastest, more creative, and more.
No registration fee but canned or non-perishable donations will be accepted for the Otis Food Pantry.
This free event features outdoor activities including snowshoeing, wildlife tracking, a bonfire, and soups and s'mores by Otto's.
Construct a sled using cardboard, glue, tape, decorations, and possibly wax on the bottom for the city's first Clapp Park Winter Festival Sled Race. Plastic or purchased sleds will not be considered for the competition.
Awards will be given to the fastest and best designed sleds in each race. Helmets must be worn during all the races.
Participants must register at Clapp Park the day of the event between 10 and 10:45 a.m.
Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 1 p.m.
The freshly fallen snow makes this Sunday the perfect opportunity to participate in Mount Greylock Visitors Center's Winter Wonderland Activity Day.
This self-guided free event will be packed with winter activities including winter- themed crafts, scavenger hunts, board games and make-your-own snowman or sledding. Bring your own sled if you have one.
The activity day is free for all ages but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information call the center at 413-499-4262 or contact via Facebook for weather updates.
Multiple Days
The Big Chill
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Dates and Times: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The festival featurs walking tours, ice sculpting, maple tree tapping demonstrations, live music, farm animals, and more.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for members, and children age 14 and under are free.
Library Passes, North American Reciprocal Museum Association, and electronic benefit transfer cardholders receive the member rate and need to purchase their tickets at the admissions desk.
Dates and Times: Friday and Saturday, 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
This semi-formal dance will be held over two nights and is open to all families for $10 per person. Tickets include dancing, refreshments, and a door prize drawing. A separate raffle will be held to benefit future community events.
Inspired by traditional Zimbabwean music as well as contemporary African styles, these dance parties are free and open to the public; get tickets here.
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Colegrove Park Recognized as Top 10 School Statewide in Attendance
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Superintendent Barbara Malkas, left, Colegrove Principal Amy Meehan, Mayor Jennifer Macksey and Dean of Students Jonathan Slocum pose with the Celtics basketball award on Friday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Boston Celtics gave gold to Colegrove Park Elementary School on Friday for scoring in the top 10 schools for attendance statewide. The school saw its chronic absenteeism numbers drop by 11 percent last year.
Tim Connor, assistant director for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's west and central district, arrived with a gold basketball signed by the champion team to reward the students for their achievement.
"An award like this doesn't come easy. It takes a lot of work from all of you, the students, the parents, and especially Ms. Meehan and her wonderful staff, so a big round of applause," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey, after leading the assembly in the gym to chants of "Colegrove rocks!" "I am so proud of this school and the community that all of you have built. So everyone should be really excited about today, and this is an excellent way to start your school."
Superintendent Barbara Malkas asked last year's fifth-graders at Colegrove to join her at the front of the gym for a special applause.
"When we track attendance of all the students in the whole district, these students have the highest attendance rate, the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the entire district," Malkas said. "While all Colegrove students have been recognized as attendance all-stars, these students led the way in being attendance all-stars, so let's give them one more round of applause."
Colegrove switched this year to house Grades 3 to 6, so some of the younger students who helped earn the award are now at Brayton Elementary. However, all three elementary schools open last year saw improvement in attendance.
Schools statewide have been working to reduce chronic absenteeism — the percentage of students missing 10 percent of the school year, or 18 days — which peaked during the pandemic.
Last week, the nonprofit held a ceremonial groundbreaking for a 900-square-foot wooden structure with a full foundation and a composting toilet. The excavation process began this week, and completion is expected in 2026.
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The Boston Celtics gave gold to Colegrove Park Elementary School on Friday for scoring in the top 10 schools for attendance statewide. The school saw its chronic absenteeism numbers drop by 11 percent last year. click for more