Hometown Holidays Runs On December Thursdays

Print Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city's Hometown Holidays celebrations continue this Thursday with the first of four Thursday night events through December.

Store specials, music and other holiday activities will run from 6 to 9; Downstreet Art on Ice kicks off at 5.

This first Hometown Holidays celebration will see the culmination of the Window Decorating Contest, which is open to all businesses in North Adams. Judges are Mayor Richard Alcombright, state Rep. Gailanne Cariddi, local artist Jarvis Rockwell, Michael Foster of the North Adams Transcript and Sean Taylor from Freight Yard Pub.

There will also be City Councilor's Choice and a People's Choice awards. The trolley will take judges and interested members of the public to all decorated sites throughout the city. Prizes and bragging rights will be awarded to the winners. This contest is sponsored by Porches Inn.

"Hometown Holidays events are a great way for all of us to connect during this special season. It is wonderful to see all the excitement in and around our downtown," said Alcombright. "Our local businesses and restaurants have done a wonderful job decorating their storefronts to create a welcoming shopping and dining atmosphere, and they are well prepared to serve all of us during this holiday season. Please remember to shop locally and support our neighbors and our friends who own, manage and work our small business community."

The Mystery Shopper, who can be identified by a weekly clue, will also be out and about between 6 and 8 in the downtown. The first to spot the Mystery Shopper wins a $25 gift certificate to a participating business.

If you listen closely you'll hear snow go thumpetty thump thump.


Downstreet Art on Ice returns for the third year. The extension of the summerlong artfest includes live music, six exhibition openings, two performances and art deals (the bargains go fast at the "99¢ and up: Art Mall" at Gallery 51).

Store specials also include a chance to enter for a gift basket worth $200 at Berkshire Emporium & Antiques and discounts and specials at Dilego's Jewelry, I Got Goodies, Mia's Consignment Shop, The Party Place, Porches Inn and (with donations to the food pantry) at River Hill Pottery and Shima Boutique.

Minerva Arts Center on Massachusetts Avenue is staging a production of "Fiddler on the Roof" at 7:30 and Patrick Gray Jr. will be playing music at Public Eat & Drink on Holden Street.

The 2011 Hometown Holidays is part of Shop North Adams, a campaign urging people to shop locally. Sponsors include the city of North Adams, Develop North Adams and the North Adams Transcript.

Information: 413-664-6180 or tourism@northadams-ma.gov.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories