CELEBRATE THE FIRST HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS EVENT, THIS THURDSAY

December 1st marks the first of four Thursday night celebrations happening during the month of December for the City Of North Adams’ Hometown Holidays. From 6-9 p.m. people can enjoy store specials, music, and other holiday fun.

This first Hometown Holidays celebration will see the culmination of the Window Decorating Contest., which is open to all businesses in North Adams. Judging will take place on December 1st. and judges will include: Mayor Alcombright, Representative Gailanne Cariddi, local artist Jarvis Rockwell, Michael Foster of the North Adams Transcript, and Sean Taylor from Freight Yard Pub. There will also be a City Councilor's Choice award and a People's Choice Award. The trolley will take judges and interested members of the public to all decorated sites throughout the city. Prizes and bragging rights will be awarded to the winners. This contest is sponsored by Porches Inn.

“Hometown Holidays events are a great way for all of us to connect during this special season. It is wonderful to see all the excitement in and around our Downtown. Our local businesses and restaurants have done a wonderful job decorating their storefronts to create a welcoming shopping and dining atmosphere, and they are well prepared to serve all of us during this Holiday Season. Please remember to shop locally and support our neighbors and our friends who own, manage and work our small business community” commented Mayor Richard Alcombright.

This year also marks the return of the ‘Mystery Shopper’, a person who can be identified by a weekly clue. This person can be out anytime between 6-8pm in any down street location during the Hometown Holiday Thursday night celebrations. If you are the first to spot a Mystery Shopper you win a $25 gift certificate to a participating business. This week’s mystery shopper hint is: If you listen closely you’ll hear snow go thumpetty thump thump.

This Thursday the public can view DownStreet Art ON ICE as it returns for a third year running, extending a highly successful Summer/Fall season into the Winter months bringing art openings, live music, events and activity to the streets of downtown North Adams. This year’s DownStreet Art ON ICE features six exhibition openings, two performances, art deals, art on a stick wandering cart, and more!

Store specials will include a chance to enter for a gift basket worth $200 at Berkshire Emporium & Antiques, $20 off a purchase of $100 or more at Dilego’s Jewelry, the 99 cents and up art sale at Gallery 51, 10% off special orders at I Got Goodies, the 99 cent rack at Mia’s Consignment Shop, 10% off holiday decorations at The Party Place, a $165 one room suite special and 10% off gift certificates ($100 minimum) at Porches Inn, 15% off all holiday purchases, or 50% off one item with 2 donations for the local food pantry at River Hill Pottery, and 10% off one item or 20% off one item with 2 donations for the local food pantry at Shima Boutique.

For after-hours fun people can head over to the Minerva Arts Center (MAC) on Massachusetts Ave for a 7:30 p.m. production of Fiddler on the Roof, or they can check out Patrick Gray Jr playing music at PUBLIC Eat & Drink on Holden Street.

This event is just the first of many for the North Adams Hometown Holidays series, a month of spirited fun, family activities and shopping bargains leading up to Christmas. This year, Hometown Holidays events will take place on the nights of December 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd from 6 to 9 p.m. and will feature a variety of specials and activities for people to enjoy downtown. Each Thursday will have something different. Attractions will include holiday crafts, face painting, live music, visits from Santa, and much more!

The 2011 Hometown Holidays is part of Shop North Adams, a campaign urging people to shop locally. Sponsors include the City of North Adams, Develop North Adams and the North Adams Transcript.

For more information about Hometown Holidays contact the Office of Tourism & Community Events at: 413-664-6180 or tourism@northadams-ma.gov