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The Parish Family of Saint John Paul II is holding its Polka Picnic tradition at the Polanka Grounds.

Weekend Outlook: First Fridays, Art, and More

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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There are a variety of events this weekend, including First Friday festivities, art, and more. 
 
See a list of Farmer's Markets here
 
Editor’s Pick 
 
Polka Picnic 
22 Mill Street, Adams
Time: noon to 5. 
 
The Parish Family of Saint John Paul II is holding it Polka Picnic tradition at the Polanka Grounds. 
 
The event features performances by the Eddie Foreman Orchestra, traditional Polish foods, and adult beverages. The Adams Lions Club will sell cookout fare, and Crumb Bakery will sell homemade treats.
 
There will also be free games for children. 
 
Admission is $5 for adults and is free for children 12 and under. On-street and limited-grounds parking will be available.
 
More information here
 
Multiple Days 
 
Connecticut Renaissance Faire
122 Mack Rd, Lebanon, CT 
Saturdays and Sundays, August 31 thru October 20,
 
The faire features jousting matches, armored combat exhibitions, birds of prey shows, an artisan marketplace, and captivating performances. 
 
Admission is $16 for general, $10 for ages 7 to 15, and free for children six and under. The event is also pet-friendly, and well-behaved pets can join the festivities.
 
More information here
 
Friday 
 
First Friday at Five
Downtown Pittsfield
Time: 5 p.m. 
 
Downtown Pittsfield will be alive with activities, including a maker's market on North Street, performances and live music at the City Stage, the Family Fun Zone at Dunham Mall, live art demonstrations at Palace Park, a beer garden at Hot Plate Brewing Co., and more. 
 
There will also be an art walk featuring a shuttle that will take people from City Hall to the Clock Tower Artist Studios.
 
More information here
 
North Adams FIRST Fridays
Downtown North Adams 
Time: 5 to 8 p.m. 
 
Holden Street will be closed to host the Community Picnic, DJ Rebel Beat Sound System, and local vendors. 
 
There will be extended business hours, gallery openings, and special events focused on summer activities
 
Event line-up here
 
Karaoke Night
Dalton American Legion
Time: 7 to 11:45 p.m. 
 
Sing your heart out to your favorite tunes and have a drink. More information here.  
 
Member Art Shop Opening Reception 
Becket Arts Center
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
 
The Becket Arts Center is hosting the opening reception of the final Member Show of 2024. They are inviting individuals to join them and be a part of their vibrant community of member artists. 
 
More information here
 
Saturday 
 
Human Nature Opening Reception 
TurnPark Art Space, West Stockbridge
Time: 4 to 6 p.m. 
 
Works by multimedia artist Doug Fitch will be on display. The exhibit, which incorporates once-living trees and Walton's shoe collection, explores the relationship between humanity and the natural world. 
 
The free event will also feature David Rothenberg who will improvise soundscapes inspired by the songs of frogs. 
 
More information here
 
Mount Greylock Photography Group
Mount Greylock Visitor Center, Lanesborough
Time: 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. 
 
There will be a Night Photography Presentation and Talk with special guest Tim Little, who will share his Mount Greylock Photography Artworks for the Mount Greylock photography program. More information here
 
Car Show
Ioka Valley Farm, Hancock 
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 
There will be a car show featuring food, prizes, music, and more. More information here
 
Revel in Recovery 
Pittsfield Commons
Time: 1 to 5 p.m. 
 
The event will feature recovery information booths, a bouncy house, a double water slide, spoken word performances, and speakers.
 
There will also be performances by the Berkshire Soul Society, and Upstreet Smoke will be onsite selling food.
 
More information here
 
Berkshire Ride for ALS
Onota Lake Pavilion, Pittsfield 
Time: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
 
The Berkshire Ride for ALS returns with a 70-mile route for both cyclists and motorcycle riders and a new 10-mile route to accommodate participants of all ages and training levels. 
 
Following the event, there will be post-ride food, music, and activities. More information here
 
Lonny Jarrett and Friends Performance
Dotties Coffee Lounge, Pittsfield
Time: 7 to 10 p.m. 
 
Guitarist Lonny Jarrett will be performing jazz and funk along with Ellen Jacobsen, Aeden Madden, and Fran Tokarz. 
 
There is no cover charge and a full cash bar is available. More information here
 
Jukebox Hero'z Performance 
The Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: 8 p.m. 
 
Jukebox Hero'z, formerly 4Ever Foreigner, will be performing throwback music including works by rock idols Lou Gramm, Mick Jones, and the band Foreigner.
 
Tickets cost $27.38. More information here
 
Goat Yoga 
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield 
Time: 10 a.m. 
 
There will be an outdoor yoga class with the village's goats every Saturday until Sept. 7. All skill levels are welcome. Bring a yoga mat. 
 
Goats roam freely as you strike your poses with a certified yoga instructor. Tickets range from $22.50 to $25. More information here
 
Asters and Goldenrods Workshop and Field Study
Berkshire Botanical Garden, Stockbridge
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
 
Botanist and author, Ted Elliman will lead a class identifying various species of goldenrods and asters that bloom in late summer and fall landscapes.
 
More information here
 
Berkshire Busk 
Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Sheffield
Time: 2 to 4 p.m. 
 
There will be a performance Colby Lewis, who will be playing 70's classic folk rock. More information here
 
Sunday 
 
Cousins Maine Lobster 
Lee Premium Outlets
Noon to 8 p.m. 
 
The food truck Cousins Maine Lobster is going to the Lee Premium Outlets. Download their mobile app to place contactless and ahead orders. If you order at the truck, have them scan the QR code.
 
More information here
 
Geocaching and Letterboxing
Mount Greylock Visitor Center
Time: 1 to 2:30 p.m. 
 
During a treasure-hunting hike, participants will learn how to use clues and GPS devices, and navigate trails. 
 
To participate fully, download the free app and bring your digital device. More information here
 
The Hot Vox Trio Performance 
Balderdash Cellars, Pittsfield 
Time: 2 to 5 p.m. 
 
The Hot Vox Trio will perform. The event will feature wine and food trucks. More information here

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Dalton Division Road Project in Pre-25 Percent Design Stage

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town's engineers say there is still time to work through the Dalton Division Road project’s design and permitting process. 
 
In December, the Select Board voted to advocate for Concept A, which would have sidewalks on both sides, a 5-foot bike lane in the road on both sides with a buffer, and a 2-foot painted buffer between the vehicle lane and in the bike lane. They also recommended the two-way stop control option. 
 
Since that decision, there have been sentiments to revisit this decision to reduce the cost and improve safety at the intersection off Williams Street, Washington Mountain Road, and Mountain Road. 
 
The original vote would have been the most expensive and "certainly not" the engineer or the state's "preferred design," Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson said during a meeting in November. 
 
During last week's Select Board meeting, Fuss & O'Neil project manager and senior traffic engineer Steve Savaria represented the options, explained potential obstacles, and demonstrated the next steps. Present board members have yet to vote on their final choice. 
 
The project is still in the pre-25 percent design stage and is currently on the fiscal year 2029 Transportation Improvement Program list, so there is "plenty of time" to work out the details. 
 
Since the original vote, some board members have shifted their opinion toward advocating for the most feasible and timely option with a "path of least resistance to get this project done." 
 
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