NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — This August's First Friday is a block party on Eagle Street from 4 to 9 p.m.

 

The Friday's event will feature music, street games, activities and gallery openings. Mayor Jennifer Macksey will host a downtown gathering and Desperados Mexican Restaurant on Eagle Street will offer beer and wine for sale. 

 

The monthly downtown event was established last year with local gallery owner and Public Arts Commission Chair Anna Farrington taking the lead in collaboration with downtown businesses. 

 

Farrington, in a press release, said there will be more Eagle Street business collaborations "with the intention of providing positive, uplifting experiences free for all city residents, and providing opportunities for local businesses to thrive."

 

Eagle Street will be closed to car traffic on the First Friday evenings Aug. 5, Sept. 2, and Oct. 7. The historic street was also closed last fall for a street market. 

 

"We closed Eagle Street to car traffic during First Friday last October for the Eagle Street Night Market, and it went beautifully! We had a lot of participation from local businesses, artists, and residents," said Harrington, owner of Installation Space Gallery at 49 Eagle. "I'm thrilled to work with the city again to close Eagle Street for First Fridays this season to bring more fun activities to the street."

 

Activities and entertainment include live music in the Eagle Street pocket park sponsored by Eagle Street Music, a photo booth curated by Polka Dot Portraits, local photographer Tiffany Fleishman Weissbrodt, street games and activities donated by a number of local organizers and institutions including Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Intramural Department, and Desperado’s Mexican Restaurant will offer a beer and wine bar.

 

Andrew Fitch, another organizer and owner of Eagle & Main, the buildings at the corner of Eagle and Main streets, said, 'I see so much opportunity in downtown North Adams for collaboration and development. I have a vision for a bright and bustling city downtown we can all be proud of and participate in. First Friday street closures are a great step towards realizing that vision. It's an honor to work on this initiative with Anna."

 

The project is supported by the city of North Adams and the North Adams Chamber of Commerce. First Friday also welcomes the opening of new businesses to the neighborhood including Hearts Pace Tea and Healing Arts Lounge and Future Labs Gallery.