The 2026 parade theme, "America 250 — Pittsfield Celebrates the Generations," will celebrate 250 years of the nation and Pittsfield. People, floats, cars, balloons, and more will proceed down South, North, and Wahconah streets to thousands of spectators.
Check out the events happening this Fourth of July weekend, including America’s 250th birthday celebrations, fireworks, hikes, and more.
Friday
North Adams First Fridays
Various Venues, North Adams
Time: 5 p.m.
Its not only Independence Day weekend but also the first Friday of the month, so community members can kick-off the holiday weekend with the monthly First Friday Festival.
This month, the theme is, of course, Fourth of July. The event will feature a craft night, dance party, opening gallery receptions, and more.
There will be live music in the Eagle Street parklet at 7:00 p.m. with performances by Songs of Peace and Protest Choir, Christa Tinari and Peter Glazer, and Carry It On. Downtown businesses will also have extended.
Williamstown Pre-Fourth of July Celebrations
Various Venues
Noon to 10 p.m.
Williamstown starts its 4th of July celebrations on Friday with multiple events, including ribbon-cutting celebration for Images Cinema, where you can enjoy the new seats and more from the renovation, as well as popcorn, and see previews of upcoming movies.
From noon to 4 p.m., there will be a Family Fun Fest at the Williamstown Historical Museum with tours, music, games, and more to enjoy.
From 4:30 to 10 p.m., there will be a Freedom Rocks Williamstown Outdoor Concert at Waubeeka Golf Links Driving Range. Food and drink are available for purchase; no alcohol may be brought in. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. This event is rain or shine.
Pittsfield 4th of July Parade
Route: South St., North St., and Wahconah St.
Time: 10 a.m.
The 2026 parade theme, "America 250 — Pittsfield Celebrates the Generations," will celebrate 250 years of the nation and Pittsfield. People, floats, cars, balloons, and more will proceed down South, North, and Wahconah streets to thousands of spectators.
No parking will be allowed at Wahconah Park, but there is parking available at the Fenn Street/First Street lot, Eagle Street lot, McKay Street lot/garage, and the Summer Street lot.
Restricted parking signs will be in place throughout the route and staging areas on July 3 and enforced on July 4 starting at 6 a.m.
The staging area includes West Housatonic Street from Center Street to South Street, South Street, Wendell Avenue, Bartlett Avenue, Broad Street, Taconic Street, Pomeroy Avenue north of Broad Street, East Housatonic Street, and the included area. The parade route includes South Street, Bank Row, Park Place, North Street, and Wahconah Street.
SteepleCats and 4th of July Fireworks
Joe Wolfe Field, North Adams
Game: 5:30 p.m. Fireworks: around 9:15 p.m.
The SteepleCats will face off at 5:30 p.m. against the Keene Swamp Bats, followed by the annual fireworks display.
Williamstown Fourth of July Parade 2022
Williamstown 4th of July Celebrations
Spring Street, Williamstown
Time 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Spring Street will be closed to traffic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to make room for a variety of events to attend including the farmers market, charity cookout, music, free swim, and more throughout the day.
'We Hold These Truths" July 4th at Norman Rockwell Museum
Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge
Time: 10 to 4
In collaboration with the W.E.B. Du Bois Freedom Center, the museum will be celebrating Independence Day and democracy by reflecting on civil rights and freedom and the meaning of those ideals today. The event is free with admission.
There will be a recitation of the Declaration Of Independence read by Berkshire County community residents and civic leaders.
Visitors will also create art to celebrate America's birthday and have the opportunity to purse some of the museum's iconic works. More information here.
Discover Greylock Summit Freedom Walk
5 Summit Road, Adams
Time: 11 to 1
There will be a 1.5-mile freedom walk following a segment of the Appalachian Trail. The easy paced walk will have elevation changes thatrequire a short steep climb. More information here.
Sunday
Pittsfield Parade Car Show
McKay Street Parking Lot
Sunday, July 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Antique cars, hot rods, and some newer vehicles will be on display on McKay Street.
There will be prizes for certain categories and a food truck. All proceeds of this event will go toward the Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Committee.
All cars are welcome, and the entry fee is on a donation basis.
There will be parking available in the McKay Street garage located behind the Beacon Cinema. There will also be free rides at the Berkshire Carousel and face painting from noon to 3 p.m.
Tamarack Hollow Hike of Basin Pond
Becket Road, Lee
Time: 2 to 5
There will be a moderate hike led by Aimee Gelinas, Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center Director, featuring woods, wetlands, a beaver pond and boulders. There will be some stream crossings on step stones. The hike is free but donations are accepted.
Hikers will learn about the flora, fauna, and the cultural history of this conservation area. More information here.
Multiple Days
Big Top Circus
Adams Agricultural Fair Grounds
July 3 through 5 and July 16 through 17, Times Vary
The circus is in town, featuring clowns, aerial rope acts, and more. Tickets range from $7 to $39.99 for family packs. More information here.
Berkshires Arts Festival
Ski Butternut, Great Barrington
July 3 though 5;
Visit the resort for its 26 annual art festival featuring works from 185 exhibitors. The event is open from 10 to 6 on July 3 and 4 and till 5 on July 5. Tickets range from $7 to $20 for a weekend pass.
James Taylor Performance
Tanglewood, Lenox
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.
James Taylor is returning to Tanglewood. There will be a fireworks display over Stockbridge Bowl following the concert on July 4. More information here.
Image from the North Adams Farmers Market Website
Farmer's Markets Open this Independence Day Weekend
North Adams Farmers Market
Main Street
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The farmer's market will be open on the 4th of July! The south side of Main Street from American Legion Drive will be closed to make room for the city's weekly farmers market, which will kick off this Saturday.
Explore downtown North Adams and discover local businesses and fresh produce from local farms. More information here.
Great Barrington Farmers Market
18 Church St.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The market is open during its regular hours so stop by for all your holiday food needs or grab a gift for your host.
The market is open every Saturday. Every week, locally grown food, flowers, and plants will be available, along with other local vendors. The market accepts and offers doubling SNAP, HIP, WIC, and Senior market coupons.
The market will be open and will feature a performance by Eli Elkus.
The market offers locally grown produce, prepared foods, locally created arts and crafts, and herbal products. YogaLee offers free community yoga from 9:30 to 10:30 on the first Saturday of each month.
The market accepts SNAP, HIP, Senior Coupons, and WIC Coupons and also offers Market Match.
The market will have its regular hours and will also have free watermelon and cookies. Local vendors will be selling a variety of goods from produce, eggs, baked goods, jams, hand-knit items, maple syrup, and more. More information here.
Otis Farmers Market
Papa's Healthy Food & Fuel
Saturdays: 3 to 6 p.m., 9 to 1.
This weekend the market will feature a performance by Terri LeChance. The market, located at 2000 East Otis Road, sells eggs, baked goods and desserts, micro greens, maple products, honey, pasture-raised pork, grass-fed beef, bison, elk, canned goods, jams, jellies & fruit butters and more.
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Pittsfield Powers Past Dalton-Hinsdale Behind Home Run Barrage
By Ben McDonoughFor iBerkshires.com Sports
DALTON, Mass. – The Pittsfield Little League 12U All-Stars rode a powerful offensive performance and dominant pitching to a 12-4 victory over Dalton-Hinsdale in the Don Gleason District 1 Tournament opener for both teams on Thursday.
Dalton-Hinsdale struck first in the opening inning. Graylan Milano worked a leadoff walk and quickly moved into scoring position with aggressive baserunning before Tye Shove lined an RBI single to give Dalton-Hinsdale an early 1-0 advantage. Shove and Tony Zaniboni each swiped bases to keep the pressure on, but Pittsfield starter Hector Reyes-Colon settled in, getting a strikeout and a groundout to limit any further damage.
Pittsfield answered immediately, and did so in emphatic fashion.
Leading off the bottom of the first, Myles Morrison-Gould launched a solo home run to tie the game. Mason Fox followed with a single and stole second before Sean Rozak ripped a two-run double into the gap, giving Pittsfield a 3-1 lead after one inning.
Dalton-Hinsdale scratched across another run in the second after a hit batter, a walk, and aggressive baserunning, but Pittsfield’s offense continued to surge in the bottom half. Rozak reached and eventually scored before Chase Albano delivered an RBI double. Brody Hamilton then blasted a two-run homer, and Morrison-Gould followed with his second long ball of the evening, extending Pittsfield’s lead to 7-2.
Dalton-Hinsdale showed plenty of fight in the third. Milano singled and Parker Demarsh reached before Shove drove home both runners with a clutch two-run double to trim the deficit to 7-4. Reyes-Colon responded by recording another strikeout to end the inning and prevent further damage.
Pittsfield’s pitching staff took control from there.
Check out the events happening this Fourth of July weekend, including America’s 250th birthday celebrations, fireworks, hikes, and more. click for more
The Pittsfield Public Schools granted around 60 intra-district and school choice requests for the upcoming academic year without Morningside Community School. click for more
In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States, a fireworks display is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, at 9:15 p.m. in the area of Wahconah Park. click for more
Healey was joined by local and state officials for a tour of Berkshire Family YMCA and Girls Inc. of the Berkshires in Pittsfield to celebrate investments in child care assistance programs aimed at making child care more affordable across Massachusetts. click for more
The Pittsfield Fire Department performed lifesaving measures on a woman who was found unresponsive at Lake Onota following a jet ski accident Wednesday afternoon.
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