First Fridays

In November of 2001, the Infinite Capacity Partnership brought First Fridays to North Adams. Many cities around the country feature a First Fridays program, in which businesses stay open late, gallery openings and cultural events take place, and all kinds of fun happenings downtown on the first Friday of every month. Now North Adams is among the ranks of First Friday cities. We have grown this event from just seven participating events and organizations to more than thirty

Some First Fridays have a theme (February 2002's theme was "chocolate," while the June '02 theme was "Passport to North Adams"). Each First Friday features free performances by area musicians (ranging from Wassail to the Flying Garbanzos to Steven Bushway), sales and special promotions at downtown businesses and restaurants, and when weather permits, outdoor treats like ice cream and popcorn carts and live music right on Main Street.

Starting in February of 2003, ICP partner the Contemporary Artists Center began hosting a monthly Art Walk, which became an every-other-month affair in Summer of 2003. On alternate First Fridays the CAC now curates art shows in a variety of downtown businesses; participating businesses hold art openings during First Friday festivities, with food donated by area restaurants. The art remains on display all month, and is for sale.

Food Festival

On June 23, 2002, North Adams hosted the first annual Northern Berkshire Food Festival, our local answer to popular programs like "Taste of Northampton" and "Taste of Williamstown." Main Street was closed to automobile traffic; area restaurants set up cooking tables and booths; live music was provided by The Flying Garbanzos, Sheboygan, and Gloria Jean; and more than 1500 people turned out to sample the wide range of area cuisines.

Participating restaurants included The Appalachian Bean Cafe, brewhaha!, Canteen, China Buffet, Colonel Bullock's Tavern, 11 , the Freight Yard Pub, Gramercy Bistro, Lickety Split, Milan at 55 Main, Molly's Bakery, Steeples Restaurant, Stefan's Polish Deli, Taconic Restaurant, Village Pizza, and Where in the World Cheeses.

An educational beer and wine tasting was provided (for the over-21 set) by Girardi Distributing, Berkshire Brewing Company, Paper City Brewing, and West Liquors/Fine Wines. Linens were donated by Aladco; Carr Rental donated some tables and chairs; the City of North Adams provided substantial in-kind services as a donation to the event. Along with the Infinite Capacity Partnership, Hoosac and Legacy Banks were co-sponsors of the Food Festival.

The second annual Northern Berkshire Food Festival took place on June 22, 2003, and was also a fantastic success.