Pittsfield Announces 3rd Annual Winter Festival at Clapp Park

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield's Department of Community Development Recreation Program has announced its third annual Winter Festival for Monday, Feb. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clapp Park.
 
As a kickoff to winter break for local Pittsfield schools, this year's festival will include a variety of outdoor activities for children and their families including:
 
Cardboard Sled Design Contest & Races
Prior to the day of Winter Festival, all children and families are asked to construct their own cardboard sled at home using glue, tape, paint, and decorations. No plastic or purchased sleds are allowed. Awards will be given for Best Use of Materials, Most Creative Sled and Largest Sled Design.
 
In preparation for the contest, RSI Signs is offering a free Cardboard Sled Building Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 1-3 p.m. at their sign shop located at 20 Yorkshire Ave, Pittsfield.
 
Basic supplies, including cardboard, will be provided and kids of all ages are welcome to attend. Parents or guardians must be present at the workshop to assist their child(ren) with building. Families must also take their sleds home after the workshop and bring them to Clapp Park on Monday, February 16, to participate in the contest at Winter Festival. Interested families can sign up for the workshop by emailing orders@rsi-signs.com.
 
On the day of Winter Festival, all participants for the Cardboard Sled Design Contest must register at the Pittsfield Parks & Recreation table in the back parking lot of Clapp Park by 10:30 a.m. Awards will be announced at 11 a.m. and contestants will then take part in cardboard sled races at the sledding hill.
 
Group Led Activities
  • Snowshoeing with Mass Audubon
  • Winter Basketball Foul Shooting Contest with 18 Degrees' Youth Development Team
  • Winter-themed Carnival Games with 18 Degrees' Family Resource Center
Snow Building Sculpture Contest
For beginners to professional artists, create a snow sculpture of any form to be entered into the contest. Weather permitting and with enough snow, sculptors are asked to bring their own snow carving and building tools. Artists can begin their work at the start of the festival and judging will take place by the end of the day. This contest is open to participants of all ages, including children.
 
Touch-A-Truck
Families are invited to get up close with big vehicles that keep the city moving during the winter season from the Department of Public Works, Fire Department, Parks Department and the Pittsfield Municipal Airport. Pending no city emergencies, vehicles, trucks and other equipment will be stationed in the back parking lot of the park for families to interact with alongside staff who operate them.
 
Face Painting
Face painting by RSI Signs will be available during this year's Winter Festival. This activity will feature festive, winter-inspired designs for children of all ages.
 
All activities at the Winter Festival are free to the community. A small campfire, managed by Park Maintenance staff, will be available to stay warm. In addition to the lineup of activities, Gateway Fiber will be giving away free winter gloves to the first 150 attendees at the event. Berkshire Kettle Creations & Lemonade will also be providing free samples of kettle corn for children at the event.
 
The Recreation Program's Winter Festival event is taking place during the City of Pittsfield's 15th annual 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival hosted by the Cultural Development Office from February 12-22, 2026. To check out more events scheduled during the 10x10 Festival visit: www.lovepittsfield.com/10x10/
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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