Hilltown Families 
Berkshire Family Fun for Early-Mid August, 2012
Berkshire County Highlights for Families:
August 11th-24th, 2012
We’re entering the season of community festivals, craft and agricultural fairs! A few to highlight in Berkshire County over the next two weeks including Rock, Rattle and Drum Pow Wow at Wirtes Farm in Lanesborough, Hinsdale Dayz at the town fire station, Berkhsire 4-H Fair in Pittsfield, Grecian Festival at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Pittsfield, Stockbridge Summer Arts and Crafts Show, Zucchini Festival in the town center of West Stockbridge, Berkshire Crafts Fair at Monument Mountain High School in Great Barrington, and Family Day on the village green in New Marlborough.
Find out about these events and other community events and learning opportunities happening throughout Berkshire County through August 24th:
To find out what’s happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, check our comprehensive list of Weekly Suggested Events, published every Thursday! 
North Berkshire
Adams | Lanesborough | North Adams | Windsor
Central Berkshire | South Berkshire
Adams Library — The Adams Library hosts magician Ed Popielarczyk for their end-of-summer reading party on Wednesday, Aug. 15th at 10am! Registration required — 413-743-8345. 92 Park Street. (FREE)
Adams Town Hall — Enjoy an outdoor movie at the Town Hall on Friday, Aug. 17th at 8pm The lawn opens for seating at 7:30, and there will be a screening of “Kung Fu Panda.” — 8 Park Street. (FREE)
Town of Adams — Town-wide tag sales throughout Adams on Saturday, Aug. 11th from 8am-4pm! Start your back-to-school shopping the recycled, eco-friendly way – find some great new-to-you goodies.
Bascom Lodge — On Sunday, Aug. 12th, kids can make wearable art at Bascom Lodge! Robin Brickman will teach visitors how to use basic materials to create wearable masterpieces. Earlier workshop at 10:30am is for ages 12 and under, while the later workshop at 1pm is for teens. Participants in the later workshop should bring watercolors and brushes if they have them. E-mail robin@robinbrickman.com. ($$) On Wednesday, Aug. 15th, the Berkshire Highlanders perform a free evening Scottish concert at 6pm! The Highlanders are a traditional pipe band– they’ll play highland classics while clad in traditional kilts. Then on Sunday, Aug. 19th at 6pm, drum away the evening as Tamarack Hollow present a program for families featuring Haitian, Cuban, and West African drumming ($) – the songs focus on the natural world, and families will learn about basic drum techniques. E-mail aimee@gaiaroots.com to register. — 413-743-1591. Atop Mt. Greylock.
Mt. Greylock — Visit the summit of Mt. Greylock to stargaze with the Amherst Area Amateur Astronomers Association on Saturday, Aug. 11th at 8pm There will be a variety of telescopes on hand, and families can learn to identify stars, planets, etc. Rain or clouds cancels. — Ongoing at Mt. Greylock: Every Saturday visitors are invited to explore the waterfalls of Mt. Greylock from 1-4pm, leaving the visitors center at 1pm. And every Sunday families can go on a medicinal plant walk at 10am or 2pm. Leaving from the visitors center, the walk will be easy and focused on teaching visitors to identify plants with medicinal properties. Then every Wednesday, there’s a “Nice and Easy” family-friendly hike – it’s about two hours long and will cover 1-2 miles of trail. Call to find out meeting place. And on Fridays, take little adventurers on a tyke hike! The hike is short, and ends with storytime. Meet at the Visitors Center at 10am. — 413-499-4262. 30 Rockwell Road. (FREE)
Wirtes Farm — Celebrate and learn about Native American traditions and history at the Rock, Rattle, and Drum Pow Wow on both Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11th & 12th. The event is an explosion of Native American culture – families can listen to drumming, try out traditional foods, learn about the creation of arts and crafts such as pottery and beaded items, participate in community dances, and more! Takes place at Wirtes Farm at the base of Mt. Grey. — 413-443-2481. 45 Greylock Road. ($)
Childcare of the Berkshires — Is your child beginning kindergarten this fall? Kick off the school season with Childcare of the Berkshires on Monday, Aug. 13th from 6-7pm-at a special ice cream social for incoming kindergarteners – kids can make their own sundae and meet other kids who will also be starting school this fall. Call to register. Then on Friday, Aug. 17th from 10-11am, Childcare of the Berkshires is offering incoming kindergarteners a chance to ride the bus before their first day of kindergarten! Riding the bus in advance can help kids get familiarized with bus riding, and can help them be more comfortable once school starts. Call to register. — 413-664-4821. 210 State Street. (FREE)
Haskins Center — Ongoing at the center: On Monday, Gym Group at the Haskins Center has moved outside for the summer! Enjoy group playground time at 5:30pm on the center’s playscape. And on Thursdays, the center hosts morning playgroups outside on the playground at 11:30am. — 413-664-4821. 210 State Street. (FREE)
Mass MoCA — The museum hosts a performance of 500 Clown’s Trapped, a show with an ensnaring set, on Saturday, Aug. 11th at 2pm & 7pm. The clowns spend the silly show trying to get out of the trap they’ve made themselves – it’s full of silly stunts and vaudevillian comedy. On Saturday, Aug. 18th at 11am, the museum will host a gallery quest for kids and families– a family-friendly scavenger hut led by musuem educators. A art project follows the quest. — 413-662-2111. Mass MoCA Way. ($)
Natural Bridge State Park — Tom Ricardi brings his birds of prey to the park on Friday, Aug. 17th at 11am. The event features live birds, and kids will be able to learn about the many different types of birds of prey that live in the area and the role that they play within the ecosystem. — Ongoing at Natural Bridge State Park: the park hosts nature walks every Sunday. Visitors can learn about important local and natural history at the marble quarry that once operated nearby. Walks are 45mins long leaving at 10am, 11am, 1pm & 2pm. The park also hosts a Tyke Hike every Tuesday at either 1pm or 3pm. This short, kid-friendly expedition is lead by a park interpreter, who will share information on the natural wonders at the park. And every Thursday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm, kids can exercise their creativity by doing outdoor nature crafts. — 413-663-6392. McCauley Road. (FREE, >$ Parking)
Town of North Adams — The Family Resource Center will be presenting a Summer StoryWalk for kindergarteners along Main Street, August 11th-18th. Pick up a map from the center or the North Adams Library, and then follow along to find pages of the book displayed in the front windows of shops along Main Street. Plan a storywalk during the annual Downtown North Adams celebration which takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 15th from 5:30-9pm! Part of downtown will be closed to traffic (Main, Eagle, and Holden Streets.) – visitors can hear live music, enjoy delicious locally prepared food, peruse vendor tables, play games, and celebrate all that North Adams has to offer!) — (FREE)
Western Gateway Heritage State Park — On Saturday, Aug. 11th at 2pm kids can learn about insects at the park for a educational program call “Insect Warriors.” — 115 State Street, Building 4. (FREE)
Windsor Lake — Playgroup swim at Windsor Lake with the Family Resource Center on Wednesday, Aug. 15th from 10-11am. Free parking if you let the attendant know you’re with the group. — 413-664-4821. (FREE)
Notchview — Go stargazing at Notchview with the Trustees of Reservations and representatives from Arunah Hill Natural Science Center on Saturday, Aug. 11th at dusk! Kids of all ages can gaze through telescopes and learn to identify planets, stars, etc. Use as an introduction or supplement to space studies. Rain date: Aug 12. —413-532-1631. Old Route 9. (FREE)
Central Berkshire
Becket | Dalton | Hinsdale | Lenox | Pittsfield | Stockbridge | Tyringham | West Stockbridge
North Berkshire | South Berkshire
Becket Arts Center — Learn to make a spoke-bottom rattan basket at the Becket Arts Center on Thursday, Aug. 16th from 10am-1pm.! The workshop, designed for parents and children, will be taught by basketmaker Wendy Jensen. Call to register. — 413-623-6635. 7 Brooker Hill Road. ($$)
Jacob’s Pillow — Students from the School at Jacob’s Pillow present free original contemporary dances performances all summer on the Inside/Out stage as part of the school’s summer series. Kids can experience professional contemporary dances, and dance and movement as artistic expression. Best for kids with audience skills. There are free performances scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 11th, and Wednesday, Aug. 15th through Saturday, Aug. 18th at 6:15pm. Visit their web site to see what performances are scheduled. BYO picnic for dinner on the lawn before the show. There will be an additional family dance workshop happening on Thursday, Aug. 16th from 5-6pm for kids ages 5-12 must be accompanied by an adult. ($) — 413-243-9919. 385 George Carter Road.
Town Hall — Community Health Programs hosts a playgroup at the town hall on Wednesday, Aug. 15th from 9:30-11:30am. — 413-664-0104. 557 Main Street. (FREE)
Dalton CRA — Beginning on Friday, Aug. 17th from 7am-6pm is the Crane Paper’s annual paper sale at the Dalton CRA. Tons of different paper and stationery products will be on super sale, and all proceeds benefit the CRA. The sale continues daily through Monday 8/20, with the final day being teacher discount day. — 413-684-0260. 400 Main Street. (SALE)
Hinsdale Fire Station — Hinsdale Dayz hosts their 6th annual craft fair on Saturday, Aug. 11th from 9am-3pm at the Wayne Walton Pavilion behind the Hinsdale Fire Station! See what local artists and craftspeople are creating, and find some treasures for yourself! For info call 413-281-1394. Then on Sunday, Aug. 12th at 2pm, BYO picnic and family for a free lawn concert with the Eagles Band also at the Wayne Walton pavilion. — 95 Maple Street. (FREE)
Lenox Library — On Tuesday, Aug. 14th at 1pm, the Lenox Library hosts an all-Beatles afternoon concert, featuring Tom Raider and Rockalicious’ Ivy Vale and Rick Reil. Classic music that’s fun for the whole family! On Thursday, Aug. 16th at 11am, the Boston Museum of Science’sReptiles! live animal program is at the library, acquainting youth patrons with reptiles and answering all their questions on about reptilian fact and fiction. — 413-637-0197. 18 Main Street. (FREE)
Lilac Park — Enjoy live music on Wednesday, Aug. 15th on the lawn at the park at 7pm as part of their summer lawn concert series. BYO family, blanket and picnic dinner for an evening filled with music as the sun sets. In case of rain, the show will take place at the town hall. — Main Street. (FREE)
The Mount — Saturday, Aug. 11th at 4pm is the last showing of Berkshire Theater Group’s Pinocchio in the Dell at The Mount! Enjoy the classic tale of a wooden boy who cannot lie (without very, very obvious consequences!) while taking in the beautiful surroundings. ($$) On Friday, Aug. 17th at 8pm, families can enjoy a free lawn concert during Music After Hours with traditional and modern music, performed by local musicians. — 413-551-5111. 2 Plunkett Street. ($$)
Tanglewood —Families can learn about orchestra instruments, music styles, and musical concepts at Tanglewood’s Watch and Play program on Sunday, Aug. 12th at 1pm with their Kids Corner at 2pm. The event is specially designed to make kids’ visit to Tanglewood educational, and to provide them with background information that will help them make sense of what they hear. Takes place in the Chamber Music Hall. Tickets to afternoon performance required. ($$) For a free opportunity, attend an educational program and a Boston Symphony Orchestra rehearsal on Friday, August 10th & 24th from 9-11am (no rehearsal on 8/17)! There will be a presentation for families, a tour, and, of course, music. Shed seating is available for groups with kids ages 8+, while younger kiddos are asked to watch with their grown-ups from the lawn. (FREE) — 413-637-5274. 297 West Street.
Berkshire 4-H Fair — The Berkshire 4-H Fair takes place Saturday, Aug. 18th from 9am-5pm Families can visit to see animals, check out projects done by 4H members, play games, and more. By visiting, families can learn about what 4H members do, and see examples of the self sufficiency and independence of participants! Utility Drive. — (FREE)
Berkshire Athenaeum — Storyteller Mary Jo Maichack performs at the library as part of their summer reading program on Tuesday, Aug. 14th at 1pm. The show will include music and dancing, as well as audience participation. On Wednesday, Aug. 15th at 1pm, kids can make a garden critter craft at the library. Registration required, space is limited. — 413-499-9480. 1 Wendell Avenue. Pittsfield, MA. (FREE)
Berkshire Museum — Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11th & 12th is the last weekend to see the production of “Beauty and the Beast” by Barrington Stage Company’s Youth Theatre at the museum. Shows are Saturday at 2pm & 7pm, and Sunday at 2pm. Best for children with audience skills, ages 5yo and older. On Tuesday, Aug. 14th at 7pm is the museum’s Pecha Kucha Night (their second one!)! The event is a unique opportunity for community members to share their ideas, information, work, and more with others through short presentations. Each presenter may share a story, a skill, a video… anything! Families can learn lots of new information by attending, and will also be able to see the diverse skills and knowledge present within their community. — Ongoing at the museum, every Saturday at 12:30pm it’s chow time at the aquarium! Visit to see tank animals have their lunch, and learn about who eats what and why. And every Friday at 11am, friends from the aquarium will be shared, and kids can learn all about them through stories and activities. (FREE w/admission) — 413-443-7171. 39 South Street, Rte. 7. (FREE w/admission-$$)
Downtown Pittsfield — Thursday, Aug. 16th is Third Thursday in Pittsfield! Starting at 5pm, visit the city’s downtown area for live music, art, and more – numerous local businesses will be open and offering special programs, great art, activities, and more. Explore all that Pittsfield has to offer! — First Street. (FREE)
Onota Lake — Live on the Lake, a community concert series, takes place every Wednesday throughout August on the shore of Onota Lake! Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy great family-friendly live music. Additional parking and shuttle service available from Taconic High School. — Pecks Road. (FREE)
St. George Greek Orthodox Church — OPA! Spend the day in Greece, without the travel! St. George Greek Orthodox Church is hosting their annual Grecian Festival Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 11th & 12th – families can visit to enjoy a day filled with Greek food, music, dance/dancing, a marketplace, and more! Kids can learn about Greek culture, as well as the role that religion plays within it, at the festival, and will also be able to learn about Greek-American life and the prevalence of Greek culture within the local community. 413-441-8113. 73 Bradford Street. — (FREE)
Treehouse — There are a couple of playgroups on Tuesday, Aug. 14th: Kids ages 2-4 and their siblings can come together in their playspace in the mornings from 10-10:45am; and there will be drop-in crawl time for infants in the afternoon from 3-4pm. And on Wednesday, Aug. 15th, there is a New Moms Group takes place from 11am-12noon, intended for moms with babies under 9 months – drop in and get support from others parents experiencing similar adjustments and developments. — 413-344-4435. 305 North Street. (FREE)
Berkshire Botanical Garden — On Friday, Aug. 24th at 11am, the Berkshire Botanical Garden presents, “Snakes and Frogs,” a family program designed to teach participants about some of the more than thirty types of frogs, snakes, turtles and salamanders that live in Berkshire County. Some of the animals will be on hand for observation! — 413-298-3926. 5 West Stockbridge Road. ($)
Main Street — Shop local and handmade in the Berkshires! View work by local artist and craftspeople at the Stockbridge Summer Arts and Crafts Show on both Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 18th & 19th, from 10am-4pm. Over 90 artists and artisans will be displaying work – everything from hand blown glass to gloves. — 413-298-5200. 50 Main Street. (SALE)
Mission House— Visit the Trustees of Reservations historic home, the Mission House, on Saturdays from 1-2pm for a program on folklore and stories of Native Americans, and on Saturday Aug. 18th celebrate “Family History Day.” — 413-298-3239. 5 Prospect Hill Road. (<$)
Naumkeag— On Saturday, Aug. 12th & 18th from 11am-12noon, visit Naumkeag for an interactive tour, designed just for kids! Become a member of the Choate family, who once lived in the historic home, while learning about the building’s history and the stories it holds! On Thursday, Aug. 23rd from 3-5pm, Naumkeag hosts a final afternoon of “Croquet on the Lawn.” Families can come for a relaxed game of croquet, the leisurely sport of Edwardian high-society. Experience Gilded-Age style and splendor at this marvelous estate. Refreshments served. — 413-298-3239 x3352. 5 Prospect Hill Road. (>$)
Norman Rockwell Museum — The museum hosts, “Creating Together: A Parent-Child Experience,” an art workshop featuring a gallery tour and hands-on art making. Happens every Wednesday in August from 10-11:30am. Each week brings a new theme and art style to explore. — 413-298-4100. 9 Route 183. ($)
St. Paul’s Church — St. Paul’s hosts free marionette shows with Robbins-Zust Marionettes. Bring the kids and come see a production of Beauty and the Beast on Monday, Aug. 13th or Tuesday, Aug. 21st, Firebird on Tuesday, Aug. 14th, Sleeping Beauty on Wednesday, Aug. 15th or Thursday, Aug. 23rd,Carnival of the Animals on Thursday, Aug. 16th or Wednesday, Aug. 22nd,Winnie the Pooh on Monday, Aug. 20th, All shows are at 11am and 2pm. — 29 Main Street. (<$)
Town Hall — Community Health Programs hosts a playgroup at the Stockbridge Town Hall playground on Tuesday, Aug.. 14th from 9:30-11:30am. — 413-664-0104. 50 Main Street. (FREE)
Woven Roots Farm— Visit Woven Roots Farm on Wednesday, Aug. 15th from 10am-3pm and experience a day of farm life! Visitors (of all ages and abilities) will be able to take part in daily farm activities, like weeding, picking, and caring for crops. There will be a special Q+A with the farmers, and participants will get to see firsthand (and pick, firsthand!) where some of the local foods available at the Berkshire Co-op come from. — 413-528-9697. (FREE)
Card Pond — There will be a playgroup at Card Pond on Monday, Aug. 13th from 9:30-11:30am, sponsored by Community Health Programs. — 413-664-0104. Route 41. (FREE)
Town Center — Celebrate zucchini, a delicious summer treat, at the Zucchini Festival from 10am-10pm on Saturday, Aug. 11th! There will be zucchini races and zucchini-themed games all day, along with live music (including kids’ performers), zucchini weigh-offs, zucchini decorating contests, a petting zoo and pet parade, delicious food, and more! — 413-232-0222. Town center. (FREE)
South Berkshire
Great Barrington | New Marlborough | Sheffield
North Berkshire | Central Berkshire
Berkshire Co-op — Kids can make their own potted herb plants to take home at the Berkshire Co-op on Friday, Aug. 17th from 4-5pm. DIY Kids will lead a pot-making and herb-planting workshop, which will help kids to learn about the value of home-grown foods. Then on Saturday, Aug. 18th from 10-11am, kids can learn to make a super healthy breakfast at the Co-op. This special cooking workshop will teach recipes for coconut quinoa breakfast cereal and a blueberry smoothie – using local blueberries! Call to register. — 413-528-9697. 42 Bridge Street. (FREE)
Mansfield Lake — Community Health Programs sponsors a playgroup on Thursday, Aug. 16th from 11:30am-1:30pm — 413-664-0104. Mansfield Lake Road. (FREE)
Monument Mountain Regional High School — Check out locally-made arts and crafts at the annual Berkshire Crafts Fair on the weekend of Aug. 11th-12th from 10am-5pm. There will be creations from nearly 90 different local artists and artisans. Takes place at Monument Mountain Regional High School. — 600 Stockbridge Road. (SALE)
New Marlborough Library – Community Health Programs hosts a playgroup at the library on Wednesday, Aug. 15th from 10-11:30am. — 413-664-0104. 1 Mill River-Great Barrington Road. (FREE)
Village Green — It’s Family Day in New Marlborough on Saturday, Aug. 18th from 10am-9pm with live music, food, games and community activities, A celebration of the village’s history and community, the event is also known as Elihu Burritt Day. According to event organizers, “This is a celebration of Elihu Burritt, ‘the Learned Blacksmith,’ a self educated man who came to New Marlborough in 1830 to work in a smithy and who went on to become a pioneer in the world peace movement. There is a monument to him on the Village Green.” — 413-229-2369. (FREE)
Ashley House — For the next couple of weekends, visit the Trustees of Reservation’s history home, the Ashley House, to learn about Elizabeth “Mum Bett” Freeman, a natural healer and midwife. Families can sew their own medicine bags to collect plants in, and explore nearby Bartholomew’s Cobble as well. Stop by on Saturday or Sunday at 1pm or 2pm. 413-298-3239. Cooper Hill Road.— (FREE) [CANCELLED]
