NorthAdamsGetsDown
From Berkshire Linux Users Group
North Adams gets down
By Christopher Marcisz, Berkshire Eagle Staff
Thursday, August 24 2006
NORTH ADAMS
There was music in the air, the smell of smoke wafting from grills and throngs of people in the streets last night, as North County residents took advantage of the mild weather to come out for the 11th annual Mayor's Downtown Celebration.
The event closed Main Street and portions of Eagle, Holden and Ashland streets so that people could stroll and have a bite to eat, visit booths set up by community groups and listen to music.
A barbecue tent was set up by Boston Seafood near Ashland Street, the Lion's Club brought out its trailer for burgers and hot dogs, and restaurants including Zucchini's and Hot Harry's set up shop alongside multiple others selling french fries and cotton candy.
Musical offerings
Entertainment was provided by musicians, with the rock stylings of Champagne Jam on the north side of the street and the Dixieland band Dixie Cats playing a block away on the other side. The Drury High School cheerleaders, the Drury dance team, and students from Karen's School of Dance performed near Holden Street.
The first Downtown Celebration was held in 1996 upon completion of a street, sidewalk and lighting improvement project in the downtown.
Besides an opportunity to have an enjoyable night out, the event also is a chance to learn more about groups within the community. Everyone, from the American Red Cross to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had tables set up with brochures and representatives to talk about what they do.
Among them was a group from Berkshire Linux Users leading a giant penguin.
The organization, which promotes the alternative operating software system, passed out fliers for its upcoming Berkshire Linux Expo this Saturday at C.H. McCann Technical School.
'Love the penguin'
"Most people look at us blankly," admitted group co-president Josh Szmajda of North Adams.
"But they love the penguin!" added member Jennifer Mulcahy, also of North Adams, as Bryan Field, who was playing the part of the Linux mascot for the night, removed his headpiece to get a breath of air.
