image description

Adams Street Fair Going 'Really Big' for Fifth Anniversary

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
ADAMS, Mass. — The Adams Street Fair is marking its fifth year with fireworks, more entertainment and a nod to the '80s.
 
The fair, which raises funds for first-responders, was approved by the Selectmen on Wednesday for a Sept. 13 date. 
 
"The reason why we're doing this early is because it's our fifth anniversary," said founder and organizer Joseph Martin. "So we're going really big this year. We have fireworks. ...
 
"We have a stage coming from Pittsfield, because this year we have for our main entertainment ...  we have a band from Connecticut."
 
Martin said the fair had just booked Sticky Sweet, a Def Leppard tribute band that played at the Stationery Factory in Dalton on Saturday. A local band will open for the group and ventriloquist Al Getler, who appeared last fall at the Cummington Fair, will perform three family shows.
 
The fair will run from 2 to 8 p.m., which will give people time to find a good place to watch the fireworks at 9 p.m.
 
"The reason why we wanted to do this early is we have buttons now that we're going to be selling in different places," Martin said. "They're $1 a piece. ... we have months, months and months to sell them. So we we made up 10,000 buttons. And on the bottom, you'll see they have numbers. So at the street fair at eight o'clock, we're going to pull three numbers."
 
The winner will get $300, second prize $150 and third prize $50. Proceeds will benefit first responders. Martin said a circus is also planned for July 29 and 30 and the group is in talks with the Adams Police Association and the Diocese of Springfield to bring a carnival to the Mill Street Field.
 
"We just have to get everything approved and and the money goes to the Adams Police Association and the Adams Street Fair," Martin said. "So we got a lot going on."
 
The fair was approved for use of the Visitors' Center, Depot Street and the west end of Hoosac Street and use of the Valley Street Field for fireworks, signage and a Sunday entertainment license. The fair is set for Saturday, Sept. 13, with a rain date of Sunday, Sept. 14. The fair has some other permits/licenses to get prior to the event. 
 
ProAdams was also approved for use of the Visitors' Center for the annual Thunderfest on Saturday, March 22, and a one-day liquor license for Bounti-Fare to serve at the event from noon to 5 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, March 23.

Tags: street fair,   

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

Adams Man in Wednesday's Stabbing Incident Arraigned on Assault Charges

Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An Adams man who called 911 on Tuesday night saying he had been stabbed was arraigned Friday on charges related to that incident and on outstanding warrants. 
 
Philip White, 25, is accused of stabbing himself and calling 911 posing as a "friend." According to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, an officer responding to the scene at 31 Commercial St. fired his weapon when the White was "observed approaching the officer in a threatening manner with an object in his hand." He missed, and no one was further injured. 
 
White was initially held at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield for a mental health evaluation and was reported in stable condition from his wounds, which were described as not life-threatening.
 
He was charged in Northern Berkshire District Court with assault with a dangerous weapon, to wit: cutting instrument, in connection with the Jan. 27 incident. He is being held without right to bail probation violation from charges of assault and battery, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct from an incident on Sept. 12, 2025. 
 
White has three outstanding warrants which include three counts of trespass and one count of assault and battery on a family/household member. The court has additionally ordered an evaluation on his competence to stand trial and at the defense request, criminal responsibility.
 
A dangerousness hearing request is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4. 
 
District Attorney Timothy Shugrue said he will announce the findings of the full investigation into this incident, including the officer's discharge of his firearm, upon the conclusion of the investigation. The DA's Office said there would not be any additional comments at this time.
 
View Full Story

More Adams Stories