Adams Holiday Home Decorating Contest Registration Open

ADAMS, Mass. — The Events Committee in Adams has announced the details for the 2024 Holiday Home Decorating Contest. 

All residents within the boundaries of the Town of Adams are eligible to participate.  Entry applications are available on the Town's website and must be received no later than 5 pm on Friday, December 6, 2024.  Once all registrations have been received, a map will be created and posted online Wednesday, December 11.

Contest is for exterior decorations only, including decorations in windows that are visible from the exterior.  Judging will be done from outside the residence only and from the street; community members are not to enter the property to view back or side yards.   

Three prizes will be awarded:  One 1st prize - $150.00 Gift Card to the Adams Hometown Market, One 2nd prize - $100.00 Gift Card to the Adams Hometown Market and One 3rd prize - $50.00 Gift Card to the Adams Hometown Market.  The Community Choice award winner will receive a gift card.

The community is encouraged to drive around and view all the entries and cast a vote using the online voting form.  Judging will be done from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, Dec. 13 – Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024.  The on-line app will be open until 8 pm on December 15 for community members to cast their votes.  A Judging Panel will choose 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.  The community will choose the Community Choice winner. 

Holiday Home Decorating participants should ensure that all lights, animations and decorations are in place and activated for the judging periods on both nights.

Entry is free as there are no costs or fees to apply to participate.  The Committee encourages residents to be creative, festive, fun and safe this holiday season.

Visit https://www.town.adams.ma.us/ to sign up or learn more about this event.

Adams Home Gutted by Early Morning Fire

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
07:37AM / Thursday, February 26, 2026

The cause of the blaze was undetermined and the state fire marshal was on their way. 

ADAMS, Mass. — An early morning fire on Richmond Lane gutted a single-family home Thursday. 

Update: The cause of the fire was ruled by the fire marshal, as the improper disposal of smoking material Fire Chief John Pansecchi said.  One firefighter was treated for difficulty breathing at the scene. Of the three cats, one was found deceased, another is confirmed to have escaped, and the fate of the third remains unknown.

The structure fire was called in about 4:30 a.m.; three hours later, firefighters were still chasing a smoky stubborn blaze between the first and second floors, Pansecchi said.

 

"It was heavy fire on the first floor, spreading to the interior," said Pansecchi. "It was unknown if anybody was in the house. Started a quick knock down, and got most of fire knocked down pretty quick."

 

The initial call was that someone was still in the home, but the chief said everyone had gotten out and was accounted for. 

 

The interior of the nearly 100-year-old Cape Cod was burned and blackened. Firefighters were able to enter the building and but smoke continued to pour of from under the eaves of the snow-covered roof as well as occasional licks of flame. The second story is listed as a three-quarter, with two dormers in the rear. 

 

"Right now, there's a lot of fire up in the void areas between the second floor, in the attic area about the second floor," Pansecchi said. "We're trying to get it, but it's stubborn. ...

 

"You got to open up all the ceilings and pull it all down. There's a couple hot spots on the outside that keep flaring up there."

 

He couldn't speak to the cause at this point but said the state fire marshal has been called to investigate.