Eagle Street Beach Party Slated Wednesday
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 Volunteers spread white sand along Eagle Street in North Adams on Wednesday afternoon for the annual Beach Party. |
NORTH ADAMS — Summer's the time to head to the beach, and that a pricey proposition nowadays with gas prices hitting the stratosphere. Luckily for area residents, the beach comes to them.
At least it does once a year when tons of sand are dumped in the downtown, turning a city street into a sandy beach.
This year's Eagle Street Beach and Community Party on the city's historic Eagle Street is being held Wednesday, July 16, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Sponsored by the city of North Adams and artist Eric Rudd, this will be the 10th anniversary of the blocklong community "sculpture" was first created in 1999 by Rudd.
There will be free beach toys and prizes for creative sand sculptures, thanks to the contributions of Eagle Street merchants and other enthusiastic businesses and community groups.
The street will be closed to traffic at 1 and at least 250,000 pounds of sand, donated by Specialty Minerals of Adams and trucked in by the city, will be spread curb to curb down the entire length of Eagle Street. Live music will be provided by Plum Crazy.
The Pittsfield campus of Mildred Elley School has donated 250 sand pails and shovels free for participants; Adams Cooperative Bank and Smith Watson & Co. are providing additional sand toys and Eagle Street beach T-Shirts. Members of First Baptist Church will also be giving away nearly 150 beach balls to kids at the event.
In addition, many prizes donated by Eagle Street merchants will be awarded to individuals and small groups or families of all ages making interesting sand sculptures. A special treat — 100 tickets to the North Adams SteepleCats will be given out to children 12 years or younger.
Sculpture prizes include five goodie bags of novelties and sweets from Persnickety Toys, two children's books from Papyri Books, three gift certificates for $10 each from Dragonflii, 20 gift certificates for $2 each from Jack's Hot Dog Stand, two $15 gift certificates for lunch at The Alley, two gift certificates for a large one-topping pizza from Village Pizza, two gift certificates for a large one-topping pizza from Moulton's Pizzeria, four gift certificates for $5 each from Mia's Exchange Consignment Shop, three gift certificates for $5 each at Bark 'N Cat, and a large ranch-style doll house from Widgitz. In addition, several stores will be having specials during the beach party.
To win a prize, 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 or other toxic substances are allowed. The event is for children, adults and families playing creatively in the sand together. Prizes will be awarded primarily to children, but prizes to groups of children as well as families with adults and individual adults will also be awarded.
Volunteers are needed to help spread the sand, starting at 2; shovels will be provided.
For more information contact Eric Rudd at 413-664-9550 or at ericrudd@ericrudd.com, or the Mayor's Office of Tourism and Cultural development at 413-664-6180 or tourism@northadams-ma.gov.
