North Adams WinterFest Features Chowder, StoryWalk
 Suzy Helme works on an ice sculpture outside Shima at last year's WinterFest. The festival returns on Saturday. |
Forecast is for some rare snow and temperatures in the 30s for Saturday's events, most of which will be in the downtown. The fest runs from 10 to 4.
Large blocks of ice will be delivered to sites on Main Street in the early morning to await transformation into art by chainsaw-wielding artists and business owners during the day.
The Chowder Cook-Off, one of the staples of the winter celebration, runs from noon to 2. the public is invited to 107 Main St. and 18 Holden St. to sample the cream of the chowder crop as area restaurants compete for the title of "Best Chowder in the Berkshires."
A panel of celebrity judges that will include Tammy Daniels of iBerkshires, Peter Lynch of the North Adams Transcript and Meghan Merrigan from Berkshire Menus. The judges and the public will vote for their favorite chowders.
WinterFest offers fun for all ages. Children's activities will take place at Hoosac Bank, the Transcript/Advocate offices and Shima Boutique. The North Adams Public Library is kicking off its 1st annual Sally Goodrich Children's Literature Festival week. The first event of the week is a StoryWalk, featuring the book "Annie and the Wild Animals," written and illustrated by Jan Brett. The first page of the story will begin at iBerkshires (BoxCar Media) and the last page will be displayed at the library. The library will also host crafts from 10:30 to noon.
The fun doesn't end on Main Street. Children's activities will be held at both Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and Western Gateway Heritage State Park. Mass MoCA will host renowned children's performer Gustafer Yellowgold at 11:30 a.m. and the Heritage State Park will host a program called "The Mystery of the Amber Room" at 3.
To wrap up a fun-filled day, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink will host a Skating Dance Party from 7 to 9. Admission is free and this party will feature a DJ, food, fun and more.
Maps and schedules will be available the day of the event. Special thanks goes out to WinterFest Sponsors: Beck's Printing, Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Menus, Cascade School Supply, Hoosac Bank, Luma's Muffin & Mug, NBT Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union and Stop & Shop.
2012 WinterFest Schedule
9 a.m. Ice sculpting begins
10-noon Hot chocolate, face painting, cookies in Hoosac Bank Lobby, coloring activity in Transcript/Advocate offices
10 to 4 Guided Tiffany Glass tours at First Congregational Church; Kid's Put-Put activity by First Baptist Church, Eagle St Entrance
10:30 to
11-1 Art About Town chalk drawing at the corner of Eagle & Main Streets
11:30 a.m. Gustafer Yellowgold at MASS MoCA
Noon-2 Chowder Competition: 107 Main St. and 18 Holden St. (voting until 2:45 at Gallery 51; "Experiment with TYPE" event at Press Gallery, 105 Main St.; toddler crafts at Shima;
Noon to 4:30 Free popcorn and raffle entry at North Adams Movieplex
1 p.m. Max Grinnell local history talk at the library
1 to 3 p.m. Horse-drawn wagon rides, leaving from Hoosac Bank
2 p.m. Minerva Stage Presents! at 73 main St.
2:30 p.m. Tiffany glass discussion with Paul Marino at First Congregational
3 p.m. "Mystery of the Amber Room" @ Heritage State Park
7 to 9 p.m. WinterFest Wrap-Up Skating Party @ skating rink
Tags: winterfest,
