School Closing Conte Middle School in North Adams will be closed Friday, December 5, as the investigation into a mercury spill continues.
Light'em Up! North Adams kicks off the holiday season with its annual treelighting on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m.
Pittsfield lights its tree on Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 at Park Square.
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NORTH ADAMS — The city held its annual get-together on Wednesday night with thousands of residents strolling the main drag listening to music, chowing down on a wide range of sidewalk fare and, more importantly, reconnecting with friends old and new.
"We come here every year to see people," said Rick Bombardier and his wife, Linda, of North Adams. "It's terrific to see people on Main Street. Years ago, people would come downtown on Thursday nights. ... Now, it's more like a ghost town. This is great to see."
For many older residents, the Mayor's Downtown Celebration recalls the city's glory days when Sprague Electric was the major employer and stores lined Main Street. Thursday was pay day and the stores stayed open late; the sidewalks would be heavy with foot traffic, especially during the summer months.
From right, Ashley Scott, Scott Forrest, Anthony Scott and David Nicholas greet a friend at the Mayor's Downtown Celebration.
There are fewer shops and more art galleries nowadays, but the late-summer celebration, now in its 13th year, has become a substitute for those long-ago Thursdays. A summerful all rolled into one big block party that evokes nostalgia in the older generation — and in the young.
There seemed to be a plethora of baby carriages this year, along with plenty of preschoolers. The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition's activity area was packed and there was a line to try out the Fire Department's "Smoke House" fire safety trailer. To the side, the Masons were offering video identification kits of children.
"We've been coming since we were kids," said Ashley Scott, 22, with youngsters Scott Forrest and toddler Anthony Scott in tow. "It's something to do." Scott and David Nicholas, 21, live on Eagle Street, making it easy to join in on the celebration. "We come for the people and the music," said Nicholas.
There was plenty of music to be had with bands up and down Main Street. At one end, the Windsor School of Music, operated by local musician Jamie Choquette, was banging out rock 'n'roll; Musical Memories and More was playing golden oldies at the other. The crowd flowed up and down the street following the music.
Barbara Harrington of North Adams came especially to hear Champagne Jam ("I love their music") and meet up with friends. "I try to get here every year to see people I haven't seen in years," she said.
"Mayor Barrett does a good job on this event. It's the social event of the year."
There were also dance performances, badminton play and magicians, and artmaking at several venues. On Main Street, organizers were promoting the next Open Studios art extravaganza this fall. On Eagle Street, the Take Charge campaign to conserve energy was taking pledges and handing out energy-efficient light bulbs.
Campaign leader Morgan Goodwin said the drive had nearly 300 pledges total and about 200 people had signed up Wednesday night — and this was at about 8 with an hour to go.
The goal was not just to give out light bulbs but to encourage people to take the next step in conservation, he said. "We're having good coversations with people."
The downtown celebration started in 1996 to mark the completion of a beautification project and was so popular it's become a tradition. So far, the event has had beautiful weather every year but one — when it was switched to a Thursday. Even with the seemingly endless supply of thunder and lightning this summer, the downtown event was blessed with clear skies and mild temperatures.
"It was another perfect night," said Mayor John Barrett III. "It gets bigger and better every year."
The event seems to cheer everyone up, he said, and they seemed to be in good spirits despite the faltering economy.
"It's a great time. You can hear people asking each other what class they were in at Drury [High School]," said Barrett. "People come here to see how many people they know."
And the best part? "I don't hear any complaints," smiled the mayor.
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North Adams kicks off the holiday season with its annual treelighting on 
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