image description

Adams Agricultural Fair Marks 45th Year This Weekend

Staff ReportsPrint Story | Email Story
ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Agricultural Fair returns this weekend for its 45th year.
 
The annual fair — and the only one held in Berkshire County — celebrates the town's agricultural roots and brings together the local farming community for a weekend of history, live entertainment, and fun.
 
The fairgrounds at Bowe Field open at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2, and the event runs through the weekend with a rodeo Saturday and the popular demolition derby Sunday.
 
Touch a Truck, which allows young children the opportunity to see inside large vehicles like fire engines and highway trucks, starts at 6 p.m. on Friday and will feature the Pittsfield Police Department's "Copsicle" ice cream and ice pops van. The children's pedal tractor contest takes place at 6:30 and there will be live music beginning at 7.
 
Gates open Saturday morning at 10 when the judging of adult sheep and goats begins and at 10 on Sunday with more livestock judging and the oxen pulls. 
 
The fair will feature judging and prizes for animals, produce, foods and crafts, along with vendors of food and items, carnival rides and games, craft activities, Western Mass Master Gardeners, live music  (including Terry a la Berry), performances, exhibits and demonstrations.
 
Events will take place throughout both Saturday and Sunday and a complete schedule can be found here.
 
Highlights: 
  • Touch a Truck with Pittsfield's Copsicle at 6 p.m. on Friday
  • Crowning of the "Aggie" Fair Prince and Princess at 11 on Saturday
  • Horse pulls begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday
  • Double M Pro Rodeo begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday
  • Ox pull begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday
  • Adams Police K9 Kumar at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday
  • Demolition Derby at 2 p.m. on Sunday, rain or shine.
  • Presentation of awards at 4 p.m. on Sunday
Admission is $10 adults or $25 for a three-day pass. Children ages 5 to 12 are $8, and those 4 and younger are free.
 

Tags: Aggie Fair,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Adams Theater Recommended for 10-Year Tax Exemption

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectmen on Wednesday approved a 10-year special tax agreement with Adams Theater LLC.
 
The vote was 3-1, with Selectwoman Ann Bartlett voting nay over the length of the STA and Selectman Joseph Nowak recusing himself over concerns about conflicts as a volunteer and donor.
 
The STA is structured around $1.5 million to be invested to complete the Park Street theater for year-round use by 2026.
 
The exemption the first year would be 100 percent, followed by two years each of 75 percent, 50 and 25, and then 10 and 5 percent for the final years. 
 
The total estimated value of the agreement, based on the recent valuation of the theater by the town assessor and projected increases, is $204,000. The theater will be required to report its progress annually to the state during the term of the STA.
 
"We want to apply a maximum tax relief while the theater is being built up and undergoing these renovations ... so once it kind of reaches full capacity, the town's able to capitalize on some of those property taxes as the yearly exemptions go down," said Colby Tarjick, program manager in the Community Development Office.
 
Tarjick said the situation is a bit different for this special tax assessment because arts institutions are typically tax-exempt organizations. The Adams Theater, however, is remaining on the tax roll so it seeking some relief as it completes the renovation.
 
View Full Story

More Adams Stories