DALTON, Mass. — Dalton Day on Saturday is being expanded this year to include a car show, more local food, Irish dance troupe, children's activities, a town mascot, and plenty of music.
The festivities begin at 11 a.m. on the grounds of the Dalton Senior Center, located at 40 Field St Ext.
After the inaugural event's success last year, the Dalton Cultural Council worked all year to expand the festivities.
More than 300 residents attended the event last year, which showed their pride in the area, council members said.
The event gives residents the opportunity to get together and enjoy good music, food, and company, member Kellie Harris-Porter said.
"People like to feel like they're a part of something," fellow member Linda Galok agreed.
The council partnered with local organizations Berkshire Dream Home Real Estate, Kelly's Package Store, Northeast Home Inspections, and Zinky's Pub, and was approved for $3,200 from American Rescue Plan Act funds and $4,500 from the town's operating budget to help cover the cost of the event.
This event is a good opportunity for residents to come together and see what organizations and businesses are in town, Select Board Chair Robert Bishop said.
Bishop used the Stationery Factory as an example: people come in with no idea about the business and are amazed at what is going on there.
"So we have a neat little community here. We want to show the community what we got," he said.
The event will kick off at 11 a.m. with a trophied car show in memory of longtime town volunteer and Dalton Cultural Council lead Donald Harris Jr. Registration for the cars starts at 10 a.m. and costs $10.
Harris was a devoted 20-year member of the council, serving as chair for much of that time, until his passing last year.
Harris' brother, James, recollected how he used to drive his brother nuts talking about cars when he was alive and smiled at the opportunity to share this interest with him again.
Opening remarks from local dignitaries will be delivered on the main stage at 1 p.m., followed by musical guests Dan Gingras, Melissa Brinton, and the Pug and John Show.
Local Irish dance school Scoil Rince Bréifne Ó Ruairc students will also take the stage at 3:30 for an Irish step dance performance.
This year, the event will also feature Dalton-area crafters who will be alongside 50 "unique artistic and informational stations."
For the first time, the event will offer residents the opportunity to show their community pride by purchasing a Dalton-centered T-shirt designed by Mark Weber of Superior Graphics and entering a 50/50 raffle with proceeds to benefit Dalton Day 2025.
The shirts cost $20 for adults and $15 for children. Tickets for the 50/50 raffle are eight tickets for $5. Sales for the T-shirts and raffle tickets are cash only.
Bring your little ones to meet Bowey the Clown and the Dalton Day mascot, Dalton Duck, who will have a special surprise for them from 1 to 5 p.m.
Like last year, kids will also have an opportunity to Touch-A-Truck, get their faces painted, participate in games, and get free popcorn.
The Berkshire County Sheriff's Office will be on hand with the agency's Child Identification Project. The sheriff's office sends deputies to community events and area schools to photograph children and perform retinal scans. Parents will receive a free ID card from the office containing the information, which is also added to a national database in case a child goes missing.
Bring a photo of your pet to Barkshire Dog Co.'s tent to get a digital pet caricature. Only service dogs will be allowed onsite.
Local food vendors are lined up from Zinky's, PortaVia, Dalton HD Pizza and Shire Donuts. Another Round Bar will serve adult beverages as well as ice cream.
Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket to the Community Recreation Association at 6:30 p.m. to end the day with a concert by Lady Di and the Dukes.
Check out last year's event:
MEMBER SIGN IN
