From the Why-didn’t-they-think-of-that-sooner dept., comes news that there will be farmers’ markets in Great Barrington and Williamstown on Nov. 21, 2009, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, adding options to the schedules of Christmas and holiday shoppers and planners throughout the Berkshires. Can anyone think of a more welcome stocking stuffer than a festive tin of pure maple syrup?
Fifty or so Berkshires farmers and food producers, organized by Berkshire Grown, will be presenting their products at the Williams College Field House on Latham Street in Williamstown (10 am – 2 pm) and the old firehouse on Castle Street in Great Barrington (9 am – 1pm.) Many components for the Thanksgiving holiday meal will be offered including produce, cheese, eggs, meat, poultry and baked goods. Entertainment will feature live music at both venues and the events are free and open to the public.
The Williamstown market will feature Appletree Hill Organic Farm, Baby Cakes, Berkshire Organics, Berle Farm, The Berry Patch, Chocolate Springs, Cricket Creek Farm, Elf Parlor, Gala Restaurant in partnership with Green River Farm, Hidden Pasture Farm, Jaeschke’s Orchard, The Market of Pittsfield, Mezze Catering, Mighty Food Farm, Naga Bakehouse, Peace Valley Farm, Sleeping Dog Farm, Sol Flower Farm, Sweet Brook Farm, Wild Oats Community Market and several independent bakers and florists. Williams College Dining Services will be offering samples of their pumpkin, apple-cinnamon and maple gelato. Berkshire Grown, Berkshire Natural Resource Council and The Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program at Zilkha Center will be present, and the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation will present instruction for churning butter as a children’s activity.
The Great Barrington market vendors include 3-Corner Field Farm, allium restaurant + bar in partnership with Farm Girl Farm, Amy Cotler, Asia Luna, Berkshire Grown, Berkshire Mountain Bakery, Berkshire Orchids, Blue Moon Shrooms, Cardinelle Jackson, Cedar Farm Flowers, Consider Bardwell Farm, Dutch Desserts, Farm Country Soup, Farm at Miller’s Crossing, Farm House Bakers, Garlic Headz, Klara’s Gourmet Cookies, Indian Line Farm, Leahey Farm, Lorna Herbals, Maiden Flower Farm, Markristo Farm, Maynard Farms, Moon in the Pond Farm, Peace Valley Farm, Pittsfield Rye, R&G Cheese, River Valley Farm, Stagecoach Tavern and Taft Farm.
In support of Berkshire Grown, this event is sponsored by Williams College (The Sustainable Food and Agriculture Program in conjunction with Dining Services), Mezze Restaurant Group and Slow Food of Western Massachusetts. Visit www.berkshiregrown.org for additional details.
More Berkshires Christmas holiday events scheduled …
Visitors to the Berkshires and Berkshire county residents have a variety of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and holiday events to add to their schedules, ranging from the first annual Holiday Farmers markets in Gt. Barrington and Williamstown to long-time favorites, A Christmas Carol at Berkshire Theatre Festival, and the Festival of Trees at the Berkshire Museum.
- Drawn Together, a group art exhibition, is scheduled for display at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in downtown Pittsfield, MA from November 13, 2009 through January 9, 2010;
- Tomáseen Foley’s “A Celtic Christmas”in performance at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown on Friday, December 4, 8pm;
- Festival of Trees at the Berkshire Museum – November 13 to January 3, 2010;
- A Christmas Carol, Berkshire Theatre Festival – December 12 through December 30, 2009;