Cole Avenue Block Party Blasts Off Sept. 17

By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Sunday, September 11, 2005

Cole Avenue Block Party posters promote the Sept. 17 event.

Williamstown- A Sept. 17 Cole Avenue Block Party promises to offer as much fun as families can handle, according to town police Officer and event organizer Amalio Jusino.

“We’re looking forward to a great event,” said Jusino. “There’s been tremendous community effort involved in this.”

Among the special events are a bicycle rodeo, appearances by “Sparky the Fire Dog,” and “Blue,” the search dog acquired by the town police department earlier this year. Water activities, a “bouncy-bounce,” and the Fire Safe Trailer are set to have a party presence, Jusino said.

All activities are free, and free food and blood pressure screenings are part of the party agenda.

Members of the police department will square off against members of the town’s fire department at 4 p.m. for a softball game. Admission is free but $1 donations are encouraged. All money raised through the donations will benefit the local food pantry. Those who donate will be eligible to win a raffle drawing for two tickets to brunch at the Williams Inn.

Police and fire department vehicles are scheduled to be at the site. Members of the Village Ambulance Service will offer ambulance and ambulance equipment tours.

The party is set to begin at 1 p.m. at the Williamstown Elementary School.

This marks the second year of the block party. Last year’s event was held on Arnold Street, and a large turnout prompted sponsoring groups to move the party to a larger space.

Sponsoring groups include the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, the Williamstown Police department, the Williamstown Fire Department, the Village Ambulance Service, and Northern Berkshire forest wardens.

The Williamstown Youth Center was also involved in the party planning, Jusino said.

The block party offers an opportunity for families to gather without cost prohibitions. Police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians are able to get acquainted with neighborhood folks and become familiar faces to the community they serve, Jusino
said.

“This was a great event last year,” he said. “The key is the collaboration between the NBCC, the police department and the fire department. And the Youth Center has been very involved. We’re hoping that it gets bigger and bigger.”