I Am Afro Street Fair Comes To North Adams

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  — The Berkshire Black Economic Council Inc. partners with First Congregational Church of North Adams to host "I Am Afro: A Street Fair for All the People." 
 
This free Juneteenth celebration takes place on Saturday, June 17, featuring performances, pop-up booths, food, and family-friendly activities. No registration is required and anyone is welcome. Free buses will be running between Pittsfield and North Adams, with stops in Adams.
 
The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the lawn of the church at 134 Main St. there will be dance, music, visual and theater arts, and spoken word by local Black residents. The celebration continues at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art where soul-pop star and Berkshire County native Raiche will perform. 
 
Tickets are $20 to $26 for Raiche's performance and can be purchased online on the Mass MoCA's website. 
 
"I Am Afro" is supported by the BBEC's Black Arts Council, an intergenerational cohort dedicated to fostering an inclusive and trustworthy arts sector that responds to the needs of the Black community. By partnering with First Congregational on this inaugural event, the council continues to advance local efforts to promote black artists, entrepreneurship, and culture in the Berkshires. Sponsors include the Northern Berkshire United Way, the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a Festivals grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and an Arts Build Community grant from the Taconic Community Foundation, with funding from the Barr Foundation.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Adams Begins Downtown Christmas Tree Installation

Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Downtown North Adams took its first official step into the holiday season Monday as city crews began installing this year’s Christmas trees along Main Street.

"The weather is great, and it should be beautiful all week," said Wire and Alarm Inspector Mitchell Meranti. "We will have some great weather to decorate."

Meranti said city workers moved the first tree — a 25-foot blue spruce from Cheshire — at 7 a.m. It was installed closest to City Hall.

The second tree, a 30-foot balsam fir from Adams, was paraded down Main Street in the early afternoon. It will stand at the other end of Main Street near the monument, Meranti said, adding that it was closer to 45 feet before being cut down.

"We cut a lot off of it," he said.

Around 1 p.m., a crane suspended the tree so workers could trim the trunk to fit the stand.

"That is the biggest challenge this year... we need to get it down to 14 inches," Meranti said.

Once the tree fits, Meranti said the crew has to determine its best side. Though the tree is a bit patchy, he remains confident it will look great once lit.

"I need to figure out what side looks the best," he said. "This is a tough one, but we will make it look good."

The city tree lighting will take place Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

 

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