North Adams Beach Party Filled Eagle Street with Fun
 All ages were frolicking in the sandy fun. Find more pictures here. |
This is the 10th anniversary of the Eagle Street Beach and Community Party, set this Wednesday, July 15, from 4 to 7 p.m.
The city of North Adams once again presents the annual event, which turns the street into a sandy beach. This blocklong celebration was first created by artist/entrepreneur Eric Rudd back in 1999. Rudd still contributes time and talent to the event along with the Mayor's Office of Tourism.
Rudd said tonight that the participants flooded the street within meetings of the party's opening at 4 p.m. By 5, the street was full of families playing in the sand, music filled the air and vendors and eateries were open for business.
There will be free beach toys and prizes for creative sand sculptures, thanks to the contributions of Adams Co-Operative Bank, Eagle Street merchants and other businesses and community groups. The street will be closed to traffic at 1 p.m. and at least 250,000 pounds of sand, donated by Specialty Minerals, will be spread curb to curb the entire length of downtown Eagle Street. Volunteers are needed to help spread the sand, starting at 2; shovels will be provided.
There's live music and refreshments will be available for purchase. The event is for children, adults and families — anyone who enjoys playing in the sand.
 Photos by Paul Guillotte
 Eagle Street was once more filled to the brim with white sand from Specialty Minerals of Adams, creating a city beach for a block long party. Artist Eric Rudd, who conceived the idea a decade ago, describes it as an interactive 'sculpture.' |
New this year, a limbo contest to be hosted by Persnickety Toys. Toy prizes will be given out for winning participants.
Mildred Elley's Pittsfield campus has donated 250 sand pails and shovels free for all participants to use and keep; Adams Co-Operative Bank and Smith Watson & Co. CPAs are providing additional sand toys.
In addition, many prizes donated by Eagle Street merchants will be awarded to individuals and small groups/families of all ages making interesting sand sculptures. A special treat, 100 tickets to the SteepleCats, will be given out to children 12 years of age and younger.
Prizes from Eagle Street merchants include 30 gift certificates for $3 each from Jack's Hot Dog Stand, a large fun basket with Puffin and Goffa and more from Mia's Exchange Consignment Shop, a $20 gift certificate from Papyri Books, three gift certificates for small cheese pizzas from Village Pizza, two $10 gift certificates to The Alley, a $5 gift certificate from Kim's Cuts, two gift certificates for a large one-topping pizza from Moulton's Pizzeria, 90 Hawaiian lanas from The Party Place, 10 dolls from Howard's Bargain Outlet, a motorcycle T-Shirt from Extreme Setup, a $10 gift certificate from Klipper Kingz, and a $10 gift certificate toward Joey Mars items from Widgitz. In addition, several stores will be having specials during the beach party.
No artistic experience is necessary to win a prize — just the willingness to get into the sand and have fun. Beach attire is recommended. Food color dye is acceptable, but no spray paint is allowed. The event is for children, adults and families playing creatively in the sand together. Prizes will be awarded primarily to children, but prizes to groups of children as well as families with adults and individual adults will also be awarded.
