North Adams Downtown Celebration Set11:23AM / Monday, August 20, 2007
 | | Submitted Photo |
NORTH ADAMS - The recipe for a successful Mayor's Downtown Celebration is simple: good music, good food, good people.
"The secret to its longevity isn't to keep adding new things," said organizer Rod Bunt of the Mayor's Office of Tourism. "It's to maintain a quality event where people can come and socialize.
The event was inaugurated in 1996 by Mayor John Barrett III to celebrate the completion of an extensive downtown beautification program. Now in its 12th year, it will be held Wednesday, Aug. 22, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.(in the event of rain, the celebration will be held Thursday night).
Bunt said some 7,000 residents and visitors are expected to stroll along Main, Holden and Eagle streets and a section of Ashland Street, which will be closed to traffic.
Twenty-five local restaurants and a handful of public service groups will take to the streets to sell dinners, snacks, delicacies and baked goods. Highlights include a Main Street walk at 5, musical performances and, of course, the chance to catch up with old friends.
"People are the real star of the event," said Bunt, who noted that the celebration has become a popular social gathering.
Entertainment includes:
Paul W. Marino's historical walk on Main Street, 5, meet across from the Office of Tourism; sponsored by Marino.
Whirlwind Acoustic - East side of Eagle Street at 5:30; City of North Adams, sponsor.
St. John’s Players – 5:30, south side of Main near bus shelter; St. John’s Church sponsor.
Champagne Jam - North side of Main, 6; Landmark Credit Union, sponsor
Kimberly Rose- South side of Main near Greylock Federal Credit Union,
6; UNITY/Grooove sponsor.
Mass MoCA - African dance lessons at 6, 7, and 8 under Mohawk marquee with help from Marafanyi Percussion, Lara Gonzalez and Yael Shacham. There will also be kids' crafts and videotaped interviews.
Carlin Big Band - South side of Main at 6:45; Legacy Banks, sponsor.
Musical Memories Forever - North side of Main at 7; Hoosac Bank, sponsor.
Phil ‘N the Blanks - Eagle Street at 7, Adams Cooperative Bank, sponsor.
RU-Ready – South side of Main at 7; Greylock Federal Credit Union, sponsor.
Karen’s School of Dance at 6, Drury cheerleaders at 6:15, Drury Dance Team at 6:30 and Berkshire Dance Theatre at 7, all in the Berkshire Plaza area.
Other attractions include, but are not limited to, a money tornado in front of Hoosac Bank, a children’s area with games and family information at the entrance of the Steeple City Plaza; groups and civic organizations giving away goodie bags, holding contests, massages and back alignments, face painting, wood carving demonstrations, art displays, tables set up by downtown merchants and an appearance by the historic North Adams Trolley.
"This is my favorite thing to do in the summer," said Bunt. "People can't wait to get involved."
For more information: Mayor's Office of Tourism at 413-664-6180, tourism@northadams-ma.gov or www.northadams-ma.gov |
