Thunderfest Slated for March 26 at Adams Visitor Center
ADAMS, Mass. — After being held virtually in 2021 because of COVID-19, ProAdams will be hosting the 11th annual Thunderfest in-person again this year from noon to 5 on Saturday, March 26.
The Adams Board of Selectmen approved a facility use request from ProAdams for the Adams Visitor Center for use during Thunderfest. Dave Bissaillon, who was representing ProAdams at the meeting, said he was excited for the return of the event after it was held virtually last year.
"It's a labor of love for us and I think it's resulted in good things for the town," he said.
Thunderfest, initially slated for Feb. 26, was postponed a month due to high numbers of COVID-19 cases, according to Bissaillon. Bissaillon said he hopes the new date will help avoid the possibility of canceling the event.
"With everything going on in the world lately, we thought we would make a change to March 26, a month later," he said. "With the hope that we will be in a better position to host a safer event where more people could join us and come to the event."
Bissaillon said the skiing race on Thunderbolt Trail, which is normally held on the same day as Thunderfest, is still planned to be held on Feb. 26, depending on snow conditions.
"It's been a challenge for 10 years to try to match-up our event with their event," he said. "But I think as of right now the plan is for them to still do that about on Feb. 26 and our event on March 26."
Bissaillon said he appreciated the help ProAdams receives from the town for many of its events and activities and congratulated Adams on the funding it got from the state last week for Greylock Glen. Board Vice Chairwoman Christine Hoyt thanked ProAdams for its support for the project and the letters that were sent urging funding.
"It really feels like there's some different things happening in town right now and a lot of initiatives and folks coming into town that we really haven't seen in the past," Bissaillon said. "And so, just on behalf of ProAdams, we just want to reiterate the strength of our partnership with the town and really feel that our public and private partnership should help all of us."
In other business, the board approved the appointment of Council on Aging Director Sarah Fontaine to both the Safety Committee and Insurance Advisory Group.
"Both of these positions were previously held by our [previous] Council on Aging director Erica Girgenti," Hoyt said. "And that left vacancies when Erica left. So it has been put in front of us by the town administrator to appoint our new Council on Aging Director Sarah Fontaine to these positions," Hoyt said.
In addition to Fontaine's appointments, the board also approved the appointment of Roy Rudolph as the adult services librarian for Adams Free Library.
• The board approved the all-alcoholic beverages license application for Jones & Dews WX Restaraunt, LLC, operating as Firehouse Cafe on 47 Park St.
• The board approved the application of Mary Ciuk to the Parks Commission. Currently, there are two vacancies on the commission, with former Parks Commission Chairman Paul Anthony Nowicki resigning shortly before the January meeting.
Selectman Joseph Nowak spoke highly of Ciuk, who he said he has known for some years. Nowak also noted that Ciuk needs to run in the upcoming election to keep the seat.
Board Chairman John Duval and Town Administrator Jay Green were unable to attend the meeting this week.
Tags: Thunderfest,
