PITTSFIELD, Mass. - Cloudy skies and a bit of rain couldn’t dampen people’s spirits as Pittsfield’s Third Thursday celebrations returned after a two-year hiatus.

“It’s been great, it’s been fun,” said John Vella of Bear Butter, a Pittsfield business making homemade almond butter. “The rain settled down, and now it seems more people are coming around.”

“We are very excited,” said Mark Bocain of Freddy’s Rockin’ Lemonade stand. “We wish the sun would’ve come out, but the people have come out anyways, so it really doesn’t matter.”  

What You Need To Know

  • Pittsfield’s Third Thursday celebrations returned for the first time since 2019
  • The theme of the evening was celebrating the city’s youth
  • More than 40 local businesses and organizations had booths set up on the Common
  • Business owners are excited for large events like Third Thursdays to return

The theme of the evening was celebrating the city’s youth, featuring live music from young performers, including the Pittsfield High School jazz band.

Several booths, like that of the Cathedral of the Beloved, were full of games and activities for kids.

“Our night is really celebrating the children of our community and that they are superstars,” said Rev. Jennifer Gregg, founder of the Cathedral of the Beloved. “Covid has been so hard on children and families, and so we want to celebrate them for their resiliency.”

Over 40 local businesses and organizations set up booths around the common, and for many, the return of Third Thursdays is a vital opportunity to connect with the community.

“We literally have been waiting for this to be possible again,” said Vella. “Without samples, this is just sitting in a jar and nobody knows how good it is.”

“We’ve heard so many people say they’re so happy that we’re here to do it for them, so it’s kind of a mutual thing,” said Bocain. “We’re happy that we can do it and continue our small business, and the customers are so happy to come out.”