ADAMS, Mass. — The Greylock Ramble turns 50 this Columbus Day weekend with Ramblefest returning Sunday and the hike up Mount Greylock on Monday.
Back in 1965, a group of residents covertly named Operation Wonderful Town, chaired by Adams resident, businessman and champion Thunderbolt skier Bill Linscott, formed with the charge of organizing an annual hike to the summit of Mount Greylock.
And 50 years later, ProAdams has taken over where Operation Wonderful Town left off and hundreds still make the trek every Columbus Day.
"These events are important to Adams," ProAdams member Ray Gargan said. "Not only do they provide unique activities for the residents of North Berkshire, but they also attract visitors to Adams from far afield."
Gargan said little has changed over the years and hikers will journey three miles up the Cheshire Harbor Trail, with a total vertical gain of 2,100 feet from which hikers can view the foliage from the vantage point of the summit.
Gargan said the magical theme will continue this year, since the summit of Mount Greylock is the home of the fictional Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry — the North American school in J.K. Rowling's popular "Harry Potter" book and movie series.
"Fans of the Wizarding World of J.K. Rowling are invited to make the hike to Ilvermorny in costume," he said. "We will have a table at the top where they can sign the Ilvermorny Guest Registry for a chance to win prizes from Pottermore.com."
The ramble starts at 8 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m.
Gargan said events like the Greylock Ramble put Adams on the map.
"I spoke with some Ramblers from the United Kingdom at the summit last year and these events have helped to put Adams on the tourism map," he said. "We promote and market the events throughout New England and New York. It is important to ProAdams to show Adams as the creative, vibrant and active community that it is."
Ramblefest also returns Sunday starting at 11 a.m. at the visitors center. The festival was established a few years to extend the Ramble weekend and provide activities outside of the hike.
Admission is free for an afternoon of live music, food and various vendors. Music will be provided by Quarter Life Crisis and License to Groove. There will also be activities for kids.
The festival's half-marathon road race on the Ashwillticook Rail Trail and Hoosac Street to Winter Street will be shut down to traffic while the runners race on Sunday. Adams Police Department noted that traffic will be congested and drivers may need to find alternative routes to find parking.
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Cheshire Gears Up for 2nd Annual Summer Festival
By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Cheshire Community Association (CCA) is set to host the 2nd annual Cheshire Summer Festival this coming July 27.
"With this being our 10th year of block parties / festivals, we've seen how impactful bringing folks together for a good time can be," CCA President John Tremblay said in an email exchange. "Witnessing lots of smiling, happy people is always a testament to the value."
Scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Cheshire Community House Grounds, the festival offers an array of entertainment for all ages. Headlining the festival is Whiskey City and there will also be a performance by It's Magic during intermission.
There will also be activities for children like face painting and balloon tying.
For those seeking friendly competition, the Cheshire Cornhole Cup also returns.
Ozzie's Food Truck and Diane's Twist Ice Cream will offer food snacks for purchase throughout the event. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
The Selectmen on Wednesday voted to enter negotiations with an Agawam catering company to operate food service at the Greylock Glen's outdoor center. click for more
More than three dozen members of the Kolis family stretching across at least three generations on Saturday celebrated 100 years in the home their dziadziu and babci built. click for more
Gratitude was the theme of Northern Berkshire Community Coalition's 38th annual meeting on Friday morning but there was a heavy dose of collaboration as well. click for more
Partners CJ Garner and Marcus Lyon hope locals and visitors alike will feel at home here, where their take on "modern American comfort food" has already found a solid base of regulars in its five weeks of operation. click for more
Firefighters were working in difficult conditions — hot muggy weather in the 90s and a torrential rainstorm that turned Commercial Street into a river right after the call came in.
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