Downtown Celebration Set For Wednesday, Aug. 15

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The 22nd annual Downtown Celebration will fill downtown North Adams with more than 100 vendors and entertainers on Wednesday, Aug. 15, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

This event is free. In the case of inclement weather, an announcement will be made on Wednesday morning and the rain date will be Thursday, Aug. 16.
 
The event will feature plenty of music: JP Murphy will be performing by the Bus Stop starting at 6; Champagne Jam will perform at the Berkshire Bank Plaza; the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers will be performing African drumming at the southwest side of Main Street starting around 7 p.m.; and the Bad Art Ensemble will hit the new Eagle Street Stage at 7 p.m.

There will be performances throughout the evening by local groups, including the Berkshire County Line Dancers, Studio North Dance, J Star Gymnastics, North Adams Youth Cheerleaders, and the Drury High School Cheerleaders.

Balloon creatures and creations will be offered by Balloon Ben, Linda Peck aka Mary Poppins, and Greylock Federal Credit Union. Also, Johnny Mystic will bring his magic back to Main Street while Serenity Circles will bring her hula hoops back to Eagle Street.

The First Baptist Church will have a bouncy house set up on Main Street near the CCB Kid Zone.

As always, the Child Care of the Berkshires Kid Zone offers games, activities and free face painting. Berkshire Nursing Families offers a family area where families are welcome to rest, nurse, feed, or change their babies and relax.

And more than 100 vendors and entertainers this year will be offering information, giveaways, clothing, jewelry, handcrafted soaps, decor, and more. Restrooms will be available on the corner of Holden Street and Main Street thanks to A1's support.

There will be no parking allowed on Main Street, Eagle Street, or north Church Street after 1 p.m. on the day of the celebration and the streets will close by 3 p.m. Cars that remain parked on these streets will be towed at the owner's expense. For more information, call 413-664-6180.

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.