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The community is invited to the August 5 FIRST Fridays Block Party on Eagle Street – a monthly downtown event that includes live music, street games, activities for all ages, a gathering with North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey, and gallery exhibition openings from 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm. The August 5 event will be the first of many Eagle Street business collaborations, with the intention of providing positive, uplifting experiences free for all city residents, and providing opportunities for local businesses to thrive. Eagle Street will be closed to car traffic on FIRST Friday evenings August 5, September 2, and October 7. One key organizer, Anna Farrington, who owns and operates Installation Space Gallery at 49 Eagle Street said, “We closed Eagle Street to car traffic during First Friday last October for the Eagle Street Night Market, and it went beautifully! We had a lot of participation from local businesses, artists, and residents. I’m thrilled to work with the City again to close Eagle Street for FIRST Fridays this season to bring more fun activities to the street.” Activities and entertainment include live music in the Eagle Street pocket park sponsored by Eagle Street Music, a photo booth curated by Polka Dot Portraits, local photographer Tiffany Fleishman Weissbrodt, street games and activities donated by a number of local organizers and institutions including Mass MoCA and MCLA’s Intramural Department, and Desperado’s Mexican Restaurant will offer a beer and wine bar. Andrew Fitch, another FIRST Friday organizer and owner of Eagle & Main, the buildings at the corner of Eagle and Main streets, said, “I see so much opportunity in downtown North Adams for collaboration and development. I have a vision for a bright and bustling city downtown we can all be proud of and participate in. First Friday street closures are a great step towards realizing that vision. It’s an honor to work on this initiative with Anna.” The FIRST Friday Block Party project is supported by the City of North Adams and the North Adams Chamber of Commerce. FIRST Friday also welcomes the opening of new businesses to the neighborhood including Hearts Pace Tea and Healing Arts Lounge and Future Labs Gallery. About FIRST Fridays:
FIRST Fridays is a grass-roots initiative intended to get folks downtown on the first Friday of the month by asking the galleries and businesses of North Adams to stay open until 8:00pm! FIRST Fridays North Adams was started in May of 2021 by Anna Farrington with the support of local businesses and the North Adams Chamber of Commerce.
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