North Adams Downtown Celebration Set Thursday
.jpg) North Adams' annual celebration will be held this |
The date was changed Tuesday morning because the forecast for rain on Wednesday.
The yearly street festival brings thousands downtown for 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.
The event is free and open to the public.
This year the celebration offers more carnival-type performances and activities. Attendees can expect to see stilt walkers, magicians, living statues and a large-scale public painting project on Holden Street in addition to live music and dance performances throughout the evening.
Stop by iBerkshires and BerkshireJobs.com at 100 Main St. for free popcorn.
From 5 to 8, Art About Town will once again coordinate the creation of an enormous painting on the surface of Holden Street, between Main Street and Route 2. The public is invited to participate in the second HoldenStArt Project, which features the painting of a 2,000 square feet work of "Op Art" (short for optical illusion) using vivid colors and non-toxic, environmentally friendly paint.
Participants must be at least 5 years of age and are encouraged to wear shoes and clothing that they won't mind getting splattered. Volunteer artists will use chalk to mark off the areas to be painted, while others will be on hand to register participants, pass out paint and brushes, and supervise the painting. Supplies for this project have been donated by Cascade School Supply.
"I'm so excited for this year's Downtown Celebration! We've got a dunking tank, circonica Bosley, director of tourism and community events. "It doesn't get much cooler than this."
The Northern Berkshire Christian Church, which will be located in front ous performers, a huge public painting project, lots of shopping opportunities and giveaways galore," said Verf the Berkshire Bank Plaza, is sponsoring a series of free activities and services. People can listen to music, eat hot dogs, play children's games or get a manicure or a hair cut for free. The church will also be offering giveaways of backpacks and "New Mommy Gift Bags" while supplies last.
Childcare of the Berkshires will host a children's area at the mouth of the Steeple City Plaza parking lot with activities, games, and information to keep little ones and their parents entertained.
"Each year, I'm impressed with the vast array of offerings at the Downtown Celebration," said Mayor Richard Alcombright. "It's truly an event that brings the community together and highlights our downtown and the organizations working in the city."
Bands and musicians will include Champagne Jam (sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union), Miss Guided, and One Way Out. Performers will include magicians Artheous (sponsored by Hoosac Bank) and Johnny Mystic, street performer Linda Peck, stilt walker Sam from the Grasshopper Collective (sponsored by Berkshire Bank), Berkshire Dance Theater, Berkshire Line Dancers, J Star Gymnastics, Zumba of the Berkshires and Steve Lescarbeau Line Dancing.
There will be no parking allowed on Main or Eagle Street after 1 p.m. on the day of the celebration. Cars that remain parked on these streets will be towed at the owner's expense.
Downtown Celebration is sponsored by Berkshire Bank, Greylock Federal Credit Union and Hoosac Bank, a MountainOne Financial Partner.
Schedule and location of performances:Near NACCO Gallery / Berkshire Bank on Main Street
• 6-9: Guitarist sponsored Northern Berkshire Christian Church
Near Sleepy's on Main Street
• 6-7: Champagne Jam sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union
• 7:30-8: Berkshire Dance Theater
• 8-9: Champagne Jam
Near the bus shelter on Main Street
• Circus Performer Linda Peck all evening
In front of Eagle Street Music on Main Street
• 5:45-6:15: Line dancing with Steve Lescarbeau
• 7-8: One Way Out, sponsored by Eagle Street Music
• 8:30-8:40: Zumba of the Berkshires
In front of Hoosac Bank
• Artheous Beyond Belief Magic Shows, sponsored by Hoosac Bank, all evening.
Near the corner of Main and Ashland streets
• 6:30-7:45: Berkshire County Line Dancing
Near Persnickety Toys
• Johnny Mysitc magic shows all evening
