Great Barrington’s holiday spirit shines at Holiday Shop, Sip, and Stroll
The event has remained a popular draw over the years because “the whole community chips in to make it happen,” according to Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Betsy Andrus.
Some of the many scenes from the annual Holiday Shop, Sip, and Stroll on Saturday, Dec. 14, in downtown Great Barrington. The annual event is organized by the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. Photos by Shaw Israel Izikson.
Great Barrington — For 15 years, the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce has organized its Holiday Shop, Sip, and Stroll event all throughout the downtown area during the holiday season. The annual tradition returned for another holiday season on Saturday, December 14.
Hundreds of people attended this year’s event, crowding the Main Street area all throughout the day and night.
Some of the hundreds of people who packed the downtown area for the Holiday Shop, Sip, and Stroll on Saturday, Dec. 14. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.
Local businesses took part in the event with open houses and other activities.
Kevin Rueger was all decked out in a Christmas suit at the William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty open house. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.Residents packed the Lance Vermeulen Real Estate holiday open house. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.
Meanwhile, there were bonfires and a holiday market at both the TD Bank and Wheeler & Taylor parking lots.
A bonfire at the TD Bank parking lot where some residents enjoyed a round of s’mores. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.The Lucky Bucket band played outside at the Wheeler & Taylor parking lot. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.Some of the many Monument Mountain Regional High School students who took part in the “live window” part of the event. The students all dressed up as holiday characters and were stationed in storefronts all around town. Photos courtesy of Monument Mountain Regional High School via Facebook.Some of the many students and staff members from both Monument Mountain Regional High School and Berkshire Country Day School who took part in the event’s vendor fair. Photos by Shaw Israel Izikson.Members of the Berkshire Hills Chorus travelled all throughout the downtown area spreading holiday cheer with their Christmas songs. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.Santa Claus rode into downtown Great Barrington on a hayride provided by Taft Farms. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.Hundreds of people gathered to see Santa getting off of his hayride to downtown Great Barrington, and to get on the hayride themselves to ride throughout town. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.Some of the many event attendees who rode on the hayride throughout downtown Great Barrington. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.Santa Claus and his elves as they paraded down Main Street. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.Santa traveled over to the Berkshire Bank Lobby where he visited with children and parents. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.Towards the end of the event, a parade of lights featuring multiple Berkshire County fire departments traveled down Main Street, with each department’s fire engines elaborately decorated with holiday lights. Photos by Shaw Israel Izikson.Towards the end of the event, Menorah, Kinara, and Christmas Tree lightings were held in front of Town Hall. Here, Sandy and Brandon Pantorno light the Menorah. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.Leah Reed Casey and her son Spenser-Mathias light the Kinara. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.Residents watched fireworks following town’s Christmas Tree lighting toward the end of the Holiday Shop, Sip, and Stroll event. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.
The event has remained a popular draw over the years because “the whole community chips in to make it happen,” according to Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Betsy Andrus. “All of the stroll activities are free, which eliminates any financial barriers for families,” Andrus told The Berkshire Edge. “There’s always something for everybody. Great Barrington has always been a very welcoming community, and everyone who takes part always commits to it.”
In a rare interview, Santa Claus said that he has always enjoyed taking part in the event. “I would like to tell everyone in Berkshire County that I hope everyone has a safe and healthy Christmas and holiday season,” Claus said.
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