ADAMS, Mass. — ThunderFest returns this weekend to cure those winter blues.

 

This Saturday starting at noon the annual winter festival will fill the Visitors Center parking lot with good eats, live music, vendors, and activities. 

 

"ProAdams created ThunderFest in 2012 to highlight Adams' tradition of winter outdoor recreation and to bring visitors to town," Ray Gargan of ProAdams, a local promotional group, said. "Of course we are biased, but we think Adams is a great town and also believe it's often overlooked by tourists and by people in other parts of the Berkshires. So, we created ThunderFest to not only be fun for townspeople, but to attract others from far and wide."

 

The fest was originally founded in tandem with the resurrection of the Thunderbolt Trail downhill race, but Mother Nature rarely cooperated in providing deep enough snow. ThunderFest, however, has proved a popular gathering that has stood on its own.

 

It returns as expected with a continued focus on all things local. Wandering Star’s signature Thunderbolt IPA and Berkshire Brewing Co,'s Steel Rail will be on tap along with wine selections from Balderdash Cellars of Richmond and DeMarsico's Wine Cellar of North Adams

 

Locally owned outdoor recreation retailers, locally made foods, crafts and farm produce vendors will also be on site.

 

The BTUs, a blues and R&B dance band from South Berkshire, will headline ThunderFest

starting at 2 p.m. and Jack Waldheim, the "One Man Dance Band," opens the show at noon.

 

The Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum will also run its Snow Train. Rides run hourly starting at 11:30 a.m. with the last ride at 2:30 p.m. The museum has decorated its historic railroad car with vintage winter sports posters and equipment to evoke the days when skiers from New York City would take the "ski train" north to hit the slopes.

 

"It's an interesting and popular aspect to the happenings this weekend in Adams," Gargan said.

 

The fire pit will also be roaring for roasting marshmallows and warming hands.

 

The Youth Center will provide activities for kids and, for a small donation, attendees can sample chowders from local restaurants, then cast their votes in ThunderFest's Chowder Contest.

 

Gargan said the event has really evolved over the years from an Adams-centric celebration to something all Berkshire County residents and beyond look forward to.

 

"ThunderFest is marketed ... into surrounding states," he said. "Over the years, attendance has grown significantly and we feel it has become an A List event in the Berkshires."

 

ThudeFest starts at noon and ends at 5 p.m.