The sun is shining and everything is in full bloom, it’s finally summer in the Berkshires and life is calling. Aren’t we lucky to live here?
Where else can you experience South American Gaucho dancers, Marisa Tomei in The Rose Tattoo, Nudes from the Prado, or the music of the Boston Pops all in one locale? Here you can join International Yoga Day accompanied by the strains of live music or kick up your heels at a three day family-friendly Bluegrass festival. Whether you want to explore Ramblewild’s Tree to Tree Adventure Park or just find a nice quiet spot for you and your kayak everything is possible in the Berkshires. Many of our local venues have special resident rates and free days so please make sure you inquire or visit your local library for passes. Don’t forget to visit berkshires.org for a countywide, up to date Event Calendar.
Summer also brings along the chance to influence and learn from the many visitors who will arrive here from all over the world. Tourism in the Berkshires is Big Business. People who travel here spend more than $426 million in the region each year. This money supports many of our Berkshire businesses from hotels and inns, restaurants, shops, performing arts venues and museum to gas stations, contractors and local stores. Visitors are key to our growing Berkshire economy. These dollars brought from outside the region also return an additional $13 million to our local towns and communities and $20 million to the Commonwealth, allowing Massachusetts to maintain its position as a popular destination for visitors from around the world.
Local coffee shops, clothing stores, movie theaters and more all benefit greatly from this influx of revenue. Yes, that means you and that means your teenager that runs a register, that means local farmers selling vegetables at the farmer’s market and it also means a local bank that just closed on a mortgage for a second home owner who will now hire our contractors, landscapers, and painters. The economic benefit of tourism avails us all in the Berkshires.
Get out there and enjoy it and share your love and knowledge of the Berkshires with everyone you meet. Snap a photo and share with us on Instagram. You are the Berkshires best advocate so tell us what calls you to this area and don’t forget to use our hashtag #intheberkshires.
Remember, it doesn’t matter if you live here or visit here, summer is a magical time in the Berkshires!