Eagle Street Beach Party Returns Saturday

Prizes will be awarded for the most creative sand castles or sand sculptures.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City of North Adams once again will transform historic Eagle Street into an urban beach on Saturday, July 13.

An annual downtown tradition that originated with artist Eric Rudd in 1999, the beach party is a fun and creative summer staple in North Adams.

Specialty Minerals donates 500,000 pounds of sand, which is spread curb-to-curb along Eagle Street to create the urban beach and is reclaimed by the city Department of Public Services following the beach party for use in various city projects. Anyone interested in volunteering to spread sand is invited to Eagle Street beginning at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13; shovels and tools will be provided.

Family fun begins at 3:30 p.m., with local entertainer Lita Williams DJing the event. Beach attire is encouraged. Children, adults and families are invited to dig, play, sculpt and enjoy the city beach. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative sand castles or sand sculptures using sand toys and tools donated by local businesses, and copies of Eric Rudd's 20th anniversary beach party book have been donated by MountainOne. In addition, the North Adams SteepleCats will give away 250 game tickets to children 12 and under.

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.