Annual Stockbridge Summer Arts and Crafts Show

Print Story | Email Story
STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — The Stockbridge Summer Arts and Crafts Show, now in its thirty second year, will be held Aug. 17 and 18 on the grounds of the Town Offices and Bidwell Park, 50 Main Street.
 
The event is open free to the public.   Over 85 jury-selected artists and crafters will display their work ranging from paintings to ceramics, firberware to jewelry, sculpture to photography. Hours are Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.  
 
Among the returning artisans will be Su Chi Pottery of Pittsford, VT. Barbara Doncaster, a Berkshire Artist with her studio in Great Barrington, offers paintings. Local artisan Linda Barbadoro of Stockbridge, offers handcrafted Dark Bamboo Flutes and Walking Sticks. Robert Tobin of Pittsfield offers handmade wooden stools, benches, children's chairs on which he hand weaves seats with fiber rush, Danish cored, cane or Shaker tape. Great Barrington photographer Steven G Donaldson's photographs have appeared in a wide variety of publications, books, calendars, and he continues to travel to remote areas of the world to shoot stock and high-quality editorial images. Derek Mirabilio of Gloucester will feature his hand made jewelry.
 
Among other exhibitors will include Natasha Wein of Stockbridge, offering nature jewelry and home décor celebrating the landscapes of the Berkshires, James Takaki of Brattleboro, VT showcasing sculpture, lighting, garden art and custom metalwork, and Del Martin of Monterey, a blacksmith, maker of candle stands, knives, hearth tools, corkscrews and more. Larry Friedman of Berkshire Mountain Gourmet/Seven Barrels offers 25-year barrel aged balsamic vinegars and infused oils, Lori Miller of Heart Strings treats offers cake balls and cake pops and Patience Thomas from Great Cape Baking Company will offer hand cut cider donuts, gourmet breads, sandwiches, and beverages.
 
This annual event is organized by the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce.  The Chamber, with 100 members, is an advocate for Stockbridge area business.  Each year the Stockbridge Chamber sponsors such programs as the Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas event and the Stockbridge Children's Halloween Parade & Party.  In addition, the Chamber produces the widely distributed Stockbridge Guide, and responds to all inquiries made to the office located at 50 Main Street in Stockbridge.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

West Stockbridge Gearing Up for Zucchini Fest

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

West Stockbridge will be filled with zucchini on Saturday so don't leave your car unlocked.

WEST STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — Zucchini, courgette, summer squash — whatever you call it.  West Stockbridge will be full of the vegetable (or fruit) on Saturday.

Volunteers are busy preparing homemade booths, decorations, games, and more for the annual Zucchini Festival from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The first was held in 2003, ran for a decade, and then went on hiatus until it was brought back last year.

Sponsored by the West Stockbridge Cultural Council, the festival has drawn thousands to the town's center over the years and is a testament to its tight-knit community. Chris Powell, one of the many hands who make it happen, explained that the actual event and the preparations unite people from near and far in a special way.

"It's just a bunch of people coming together when they can and kind of meeting everyone where they're at too, what they can put into it, and it's just super fun in that way," he said.

It will kick off with a pet parade where zucchini costumes are encouraged if temperatures aren't too high. Lucky Bucket will end the night playing classic rock, oldies, country, blues, and soul beneath fireworks.  

In between, attendees can enter a zucchini weigh-off or decorating contest, a "zuck" river race, a baking contest, and a poetry contest among many more. These are said to be "quintessential" to the event.

There will also be a food court with vendors offering one to two zucchini-themed options along with their usual fare. Downtown businesses are also participating.

It is free and for all ages, with tickets for games and activities available for purchase. Powell noted that Zucchini Festival merchandise is cash only.

View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories