North Adams Downtown Celebration Is Wednesday

The North Adams Downtown Celebration is this Wednesday. See photos from last year's celebration here.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city's annual block party takes over Main Street this Wednesday.

The 19th annual Downtown Celebration runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Main, Eagle and Holden streets with food, shopping, entertainment and conversation.

More than 100 participants, including local merchants, vendors, restaurants and organizations are expected this year, offering refreshments, games, crafts, raffles and information.

Attendees can expect to see stilt walkers, magicians, games, and performances.

Quite a few organizations are offering activities for families to enjoy. First Baptist Church will host a children's activity area with bounce-houses and food near the L-Shaped Mall on Main Street.

Northern Berkshire Christian Church is also sponsoring free activities and services near the corner of Main and Ashland streets. People can listen to music, eat hot dogs, play children's games or get a manicure or a haircut.

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.