Planners Hope for Return of Pittsfield's Third Thursday
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After a two-year hiatus, planners are hoping for the return of Third Thursday in 2022.
"The hope and dream is that Third Thursday will be back in person," Director of Cultural Development Jennifer Glockner told the Tourism Commission on Tuesday.
Glockner said there are no details established yet because city departments usually begin planning for the street festival's season after the annual 1010 Upstreet Arts Festival, which is soon approaching.
Nonetheless, the possibility is there.
In 2020, the Third Thursday fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic and what was supposed to be its 14th season was canceled. Since 2006, North Street from Park Square to the intersection of Linden Street and Maplewood Avenue had been closed to traffic on the third week of warmer months for food, vendors, activities, and performances.
The in-person season was canceled again for 2021 but some virtual components were incorporated.
"We are hoping for the best and keeping calm and flexible," Glockner explained.
Last month, the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade Committee announced that the Fourth of July Parade will return this year. The parade was also canceled for two years because of the pandemic.
The 11th annual 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival will run from Feb. 17 to 27 and will include art, theater, outdoor adventures, and more. The city also got approval from the Fire Department to have fireworks as a part of the festival.
For literature lovers, there will be a virtual reading of new works created in Herman Melville's study at Arrowhead by the 2021-2022 Melville Fellows Shawna Hennessy and Aylen Dominguez. This event is sponsored by the Berkshire Athenaeum.
While 10x10 will run through the end of the month, Barrington Stage Company will extend its play festival into March. BCS's 2022 festival includes 10 10-minute plays by 10 playwrights.
Glockner said there will be a lot of events at the Berkshire Museum and Hancock Shaker Village will host "The Big Chill," a day of old-fashioned winter fun, on Feb. 20.
The Berkshire Natural Resources Council and Mass Audubon will also offer hiking events and Berkshire Running Center will do a MountainOne Frosted Mug 5k race on March 13 to benefit a local 8-year-old boy named Carter battling a rare form of Leukemia.
Commissioner Nolan Fernandez brought up the idea of offering a bus route, similar to a shuttle, that goes to the city's lakes during the summertime.
"I did a little bit of research when I was running for City Council, I was talking with the transit authority at the bus station here about potentially offering a bus route during the summer months that would go to the lake, almost like a shuttle, to go to the lake," he said.
"To either Onota or Pontoosuc, most likely Onota because that's where there's more beachfront and it's more pedestrian-friendly than Pontoosuc Lake but pretty much have like a bus route that shuttles people back and forth."
Commissioner Lesley Herzberg pointed out that there has been conversation about using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for a bus route that connects cultural venues in Pittsfield. She said there that an outdoor recreation loop could be proposed as well.
Because the city is accepting ARPA applications beginning on Feb. 28, Glockner said that is something that could be considered and spoken of later in greater length.
Tags: Third Thursdays,
