North Adams' Eagle Street Beach Party Set Friday

The annual Eagle Street Beach Party is set for this Friday. See photos from last year's event here.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mark your calendars for the 16th annual Eagle Street Beach Party this Friday.

The event, founded by artist Eric Rudd, fills historic Eagle Street with sand for what he describes as an "original urban art beach" from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The family friendly event will be followed at 7 with the city of North Adams' 5th annual Mexican Fiesta, an adults only celebration featuring margaritas, Corona beer and singer Lita Williams

Eagle Street merchants and other businesses have contributed sand toys and prizes for everyone participating in the beach party, as well as prizes for the most creative sand castles or sand sculptures.

Now sponsored by the Rudd Art Museum, which will have an art exhibition opening around the corner on the same evening from 6 to 8, some half-million pounds of sand donated by Specialty Minerals and delivered by city crews will be spread — curb to curb — the entire length of the street.

Mildred Elley's Pittsfield campus has donated 300 sand pails and shovels for all participants to use and keep; Adams Community Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union and Smith Watson & Co. CPAs are contributing the entertainment and out-of-pocket expenses for both events.

Merchants are offering gifts and certificates, including Jack's Hot Dogs donation of 60 gift certificates each good for one hot dog and some 250 SteepleCats tickets that will be given to children age 12 and younger.

No artistic experience is necessary - just the willingness to get into the sand and have fun. Beach attire is recommended. Food color dye is acceptable, but no spray paint. Note that smoking is not allowed during this event.

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.