Time to Hit the Eagle Street Beach

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Historic Eagle Street will be covered with sand on Saturday afternoon for the 24th annual Eagle Street Beach Party. 
 
Founded by artist Eric Rudd in 1999 as an annual community sculpture, the beach party is sponsored by Rudd's Berkshire Art Museum and the city of North Adams.
 
Some 500,000 pounds of sand donated by Specialty Minerals will be spread curb to curb the entire length of
the downtown street. Hundreds of children and families each year are able to enjoy the unique urban beach and create sand sculptures at the community art event. 
 
Sand pails and shovels will be handed out as will certificates to Jack's Hot Dog to 250 SteepleCats tickets for children 12 and younger. First come, first served. 
 
The event runs from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. In case of rain, or a serious threat-of-rain, the event will be the following week, Saturday, Aug. 3.
 
The Mexican Fiesta added in 2010 will not be held this year but is expected to resume next year. The donated sand is used by the city for winter and street construction projects.
 
Supporters also include Adams Community Bank, Nocher Realty, A1, Greylock Federal Credit Union, North Adams Steeplecats, as well as volunteers and prize donors.  
 
Volunteers are needed to help spread the sand starting at  noon; shovels provided; just show up.

Tags: beach party,   community event,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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