Enjoy music, dance, food & more from around the world at

The Pittsfield Ethnic Fair

Sunday, August 8
12 noon-6pm
downtown Pittsfield
1st 2 blocks of North Street
FREE & family friendly!

On Sunday, August 8, the first two blocks of North Street will be closed to traffic and filled with thousands of pedestrians enjoying tantalizing aromas, captivating rhythms and colorful costumes as once again the annual Pittsfield Ethnic Fair celebrates the many cultures that make up the Berkshires and beyond.

2010 Ethnic Fair Performance Schedule
North St Stage (near Park Square)
12:15pm                     Opening ceremony & bagpipers
12:30pm                    Women of Joy Gospel Trio
1pm                             Youth Alive Step Dance & Drum Line
1:30-3:30pm             Rakish Paddy Celtic Band
3:30pm                      Akwaaba African Ensemble
4:30pm                      Veronica Robles Mariachi Group 

 Palace Park Stage & Dance Floor (North St near Fenn St)
12:30-2pm                 Berkshire Bateria
2pm-5pm                   Mark VI Polka Band 

Free and open to all, the Pittsfield Ethnic Fair will be held, rain or shine, from 12 noon to 6pm, with dozens of international food and craft vendors and two stages of music and dance including African music, drumming, and dance, salsa rhythms, Irish fiddles, and much more from around the world.
Two stages will feature dancing music from the renowned recording artists Mark VI Polka Orchestra; the return of Boston-based dancing sensation Veronica Robles and her acclaimed mariachi ensemble; the Akwaaba Traditional African Drum & Dance Ensemble; Youth Alive Step Dance & Drum Line; the Rakish Paddy Celtic Band; and the Women of Joy Gospel Trio.
Mayor James Ruberto is a big fan of the Pittsfield Ethnic Fair. "As the grandson of Italian immigrants I believe it is important for our community to celebrate its cultural heritage and to welcome and celebrate new immigrants and cultures as well. That's why we have made Pittsfield a 'Welcoming Community' for new immigrants and why each year we help sponsor the Pittsfield Ethnic Fair, to highlight and enjoy the many contributions that both old and new immigrants have made to our community."
This year's Pittsfield Ethnic Fair committee is co-chaired by Downtown Inc. Executive Director Yvonne Pearson and Mario DeMartino, a longtime community leader. DeMartino noted, "The Pittsfield Ethnic Fair highlights and celebrates the best of our community. I'm glad my children and grandchildren are able to attend and enjoy the rich diversity found here and the wonderful music, dance, food and craft that is featured every year. Please bring your kids and grand kids to the Pittsfield Ethnic Fair so they can learn about and experience different cultures - and have fun too!! 

The Fair, which is free of charge and open to all, stretches over the first two blocks of North Street, which will be closed to traffic, as well as onto Dunham Mall, Fenn Street and in front of City Hall. Plentiful and free parking is available at the McKay Street parking garage, the First Street parking lot and the Columbus Avenue parking lot.

Local vendors will be offering mouthwatering treats from Colombia, Italy, Brazil, India, Ireland, Greece, Africa, Ecuador, the Caribbean and more, as well as wine and beer tents for those over 21 years old.  Food vendors include the Polish National Alliance, C.I.A.O. of Berkshire County, Inc., the Italian American Club, House of India, Hot Harry's Fresh Burritos, Zion’s Lutheran Church, Civitan Club, Krispy Cones on Wheels, Pittsfield Irish Sister City Committee, German American Club, St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Center for Holistic Instruction, Sons of Italy, Kiwanis Club of Pittsfield, Flavours Malaysian Restaurant, Home Textures, DBA Pepe’s, Lucia’s Spanish Food, Tastefully Simple, the Pittsfield High School Cheerleaders, Papa Joe’s Ristorante, and more! Craft booths will feature handicrafts, temporary tattoos, jewelry, clothing, and more from around the world.

The Pittsfield Ethnic Fair will be held rain or shine on Sunday, August 8, from 12 noon to 6pm in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts on the first two blocks of North Street, on Fenn Street, Palace Park and Dunham Mall. The Fair is free to all and family-friendly. The Pittsfield Ethnic Fair is generously sponsored by Berkshire Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union, General Systems, Inc., Hillcrest Commons, Berkshire Healthcare, Downtown Inc and the City of Pittsfield Office of Cultural Development. For more information call 413.443.6501.