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Berkshire Botanical Garden’s 76th Annual Harvest Festival
The Berkshire Botanical Garden is going back to its roots. “The Harvest Festival is our biggest and most popular event of the year, and with all the music, hay rides, food and crafts people often forget that they are at a botanical garden,” says Molly Boxer, who has been executive director for nearly a year (and who was the volunteer chair of the festival 20 years ago.) “This year, we are having drop-in workshops all weekend long, so you can learn about making lacto-fermented pickles, arranging dried flower arranging, or fighting invasive plants.” There will also be a farmers’ market for the first time in memory that will feature produce from the BBG’s own garden as well as Cricket Creek Farm, Taft Farm, Project Native, and Glendale Botanicals.
While the festival’s petting zoo and hay jump are a major lure for kids, savvy adults head first to the tents with “opportunity clothing shop” and tag sale. “You can find incredible used clothing—from cashmere and mink to ski parkas,” says Boxer. “I already have my eye on some blazers.” She also points out that the “food court” celebrates local purveyors such as Hilltown Country Smoke House (pulled pork and brisket sandwiches), Barrington Brewery, Theresa’s Stockbridge Cafe, SoCo Creamery, Pittsfield Rye and Specialty Breads, Klara’s Gourmet Cookies, Barrington Bites Cupcakes. And to foster a greater sense of community participation, Boxer has revived the Pumpkin Art Contest, which is open to all without a special entry fee, and the deadline for submission is Friday, October 1, at 6 p.m.. To enter, bring your carved, painted or decorated pumpkin to the Garden between noon and 6:00 on October 1. The pumpkins will be put on display in the herb garden and can be taken home after 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Berkshire Botanical Garden Harvest Festival
October 2 & 3; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Routes 112 & 183
Stockbridge, MA
Admission: $10 per car
Workshops
Saturday:
11 a.m. Dave Monk/Backyard birding
12:30 p.m. Elisabeth Cary/Garden Wrap-up
2 p.m. Ann Hunter/Dried Flower Arranging
3:30 p.m. Robbie Heidinger/Lacto-fermented pickles
Sunday:
11 a.m. Elisabeth Cary/Invasive Plants
12:30 p.m. Robbie Heidinger/Lacto-fermented pickles
2 p.m. Dave Monk/Backyard birding
3:30 p.m. Elisabeth Cary/Garden Wrap-up
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