NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Downtown Celebration returns this Wednesday from 5:30 to 9 after being canceled last year because of the pandemic.
This 24th annual event is free and open to the public. Long-range forecasts show a chance for thunder showers, so an announcement will be made on Wednesday morning whether to use the rain date of Thursday.
Main and Eagle streets will closed as will Ashland between Summer and Main and Holden from Main to the entrance of the Berkshire Plaza parking lot. All vehicles must be off the street by 3 p.m. and North Church will revert temporarily to two-way traffic with no parking between noon and 10.
The street festival will feature live performances by the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers, and Patrick Gray Jr. and Friends, as well as local groups including Berkshire County Line Dancers, J Star Gymnastics, North Adams Youth Cheerleaders, Drury High School Cheer, Dancecapades, In Motion Dance Academy and Berkshire Dance Theatre at various points around the downtown.
There will be face painting, balloon animals and magic along with other children's activities and giveaways in the Kid Zone at the Main Street entrance of Steeple City Plaza. A number of local child and youth organizations will have booths set up there as well, including Child Care of the Berkshires, Head Start, Northern Berkshire United Way, Roots Teen Center and the North Adams Public Schools.
The popular Copsicle frozen treat van will be at the top of Main Street with local first-responders, the Fire Department's ladder truck and the 911 Mobile PSAP Unit and more. Northern Berkshire EMS will be offering free car-seat safety checks near the Kid Zone (use Summer or American Legion Drive to access the parking lot).
Downtown restaurants and stores will be open for dining and shopping along with popup shops, bake sales and street food.
The event is sponsored by MountainOne and the city of North Adams, and supported by the many local businesses and organizations that participate in the festivities.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
click for more