Susan B. Anthony Days Street fair returns to Park St.

Why does this event need to be held on Park St.? This is part of a major route that carries thousands of vehicles daily, especially during the evening traffic hours. It makes absolutely no sense to reroute traffic through and across the bike path where there is no crossing signals. Rerouting cars is one thing, but redirecting semis is another. It would be more appropriate to hold this event either in the Summer St. shopping district or on Hoosic St., in around the visitor's center. Leave Park Street open to traffic. Then again, it's Adams, the one-traffic-light wonder town.

It's been held on Park Street for as long as it's been going on. Just like the Beach Day event in North Adams is always held on Eagle Street. It may reroute traffic for a bit, but so what? It's one evening a year, I think everyone can deal with traffic being rerouted in order to preserve some heritage and allow a positive, fun event to take place.

suomyona wrote:

It's been held on Park Street for as long as it's been going on. Just like the Beach Day event in North Adams is always held on Eagle Street. It may reroute traffic for a bit, but so what? It's one evening a year, I think everyone can deal with traffic being rerouted in order to preserve some heritage and allow a positive, fun event to take place.

Traffic has steadily increased over the years. And it is not just one day. Each Friday traffic must meander through the maze of people and vendors that participate in the Friday movies. One of these days, someone is going to get hurt. It's inevitable. And by the way, your'e right, it has been held on Park St since its inception, that means it's been held in the wrong place all that time.

Are you kidding me? We have bigger problems than a fun night on park street. It is what is so DEAL with it.

suomyona wrote:

Just like the Beach Day event in North Adams is always held on Eagle Street.

I'm not weighing on this to take an opinion one way or another on whether Park Street is a good place for the fair. I know it's inconvenient to motorists, but I also know it's not the only time of the year when the road is closed for an event (the night before the Fall Run comes to mind), and everyone survives.

I AM writing to point out that you're not going to win this argument by equating Park Street (a.k.a. Route 8) and Eagle Street (a.k.a. Graveyard of Small Business) in terms of the volume of vehicular traffic each sees on a given day.

Nathan (post #1) there are TWO traffic lights in town.

nathan2009 wrote:

Why does this event need to be held on Park St.? This is part of a major route that carries thousands of vehicles daily, especially during the evening traffic hours. It makes absolutely no sense to reroute traffic through and across the bike path where there is no crossing signals. Rerouting cars is one thing, but redirecting semis is another. It would be more appropriate to hold this event either in the Summer St. shopping district or on Hoosic St., in around the visitor's center. Leave Park Street open to traffic. Then again, it's Adams, the one-traffic-light wonder town.

Bad Nathan!

to: Nathan2009

Summer Street actually just had a street fair on June 28th. Too bad you missed it. Maybe next year!

Nathan you must be a very important person the Town of Adams apologizes to you. How dare we trouble you for 1 minute or to have to drive around Park St.

correction wrote:

Nathan (post #1) there are TWO traffic lights in town.

Really? Where are the two intersections that have traffic lights in town? I can only think of the intersections of Park, Commercial, Orchard and Myrtle streets. Is there another?

Friend in Adams wrote:

to: Nathan2009
Summer Street actually just had a street fair on June 28th. Too bad you missed it. Maybe next year!

Thanks for the info. I'm not opposed at all to street fairs. I just think holding it on a major thoroughfare is potentially dangerous to the residents of the areas where traffic rerouted to. Those streets were not designed to handle the traffic, nor heavy trucks.

nathan2009 wrote:

<quoted text>
Really? Where are the two intersections that have traffic lights in town? I can only think of the intersections of Park, Commercial, Orchard and Myrtle streets. Is there another?

Traffic light by Memorial School on Route 8. Maybe they'll ditch it now that the school is closed for good, or maybe they will leave it because of the housing for the elderly nearby.

Nathan 2009

Why not go to New York City and Stop the Macy's Parade before you inflict your opinions on a Local Tradition .

Or start in Pittsfield or Maybe Route 116 in Savoy on Memorial Day

Parade wrote:

Nathan 2009
Why not go to New York City and Stop the Macy's Parade before you inflict your opinions on a Local Tradition .
Or start in Pittsfield or Maybe Route 116 in Savoy on Memorial Day

Well....Macy's parade is held on a major holiday, not on a normal work day when traffic is at its peak. The other towns you mention also hold parades on major holidays but also don't have anywhere near the volume of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. And by the way, I'm not against holding town celebrations in this manner, just do them in a safer area to protect the citizens of Adams and those who visit.

protect us from what???? I have lived in Adams for 16 years. Every year My children and I have gone down to the hi-jinx night. It is a great night for the town. The area business get to make some money and we get to catch up with people we don't get to see every day. So like it or lump it hi-jinx is here to stay on PARK STREET!

They close down Main St. in NA for the Mayor's Celebration every year. And the intersection in Adams with the traffic light is Myrtle, Commercial and Center streets. Orchard starts @ Summer, Crandall and Center and Park starts @ the Bike Path.

correction wrote:

<quoted text>
Traffic light by Memorial School on Route 8. Maybe they'll ditch it now that the school is closed for good, or maybe they will leave it because of the housing for the elderly nearby.

That traffic light has been removed as a few months ago. Also, I happen to live on the street that the traffic is rerouted through. I do agree that the bigger vehicles, ie semis, have a hard time going through. As for the trail, I think most people understand the need to look both ways before crossing. My main concern is if emergency vehicles need to get down that street, since the police have to use that street to go anywhere since they are on a one-way street.
The street fair is a benefit to the town, there aren't many events held in the town of adams. As for the movie under the stars, I agree that there should be another downtown venue used for two reasons, safety of the kids on park st, and if a better location was used, some vendors(local businesses) could participate.

Doc Holliday wrote:

They close down Main St. in NA for the Mayor's Celebration every year.

As was said already, Eagle St. in North Adams is not comparable to Park St. in Adams; though Main St. in N.A. is the primary business district, it is neither Rt. 2, Rt. 8 or Rt. 8A...

Whenever Main St. has been shut down for an event, it has been on an evening, a weekend, or a holiday AND Rt. 2, Rt. 8 and Rt. 8A have remained open and unimpeded.

Correction... Main St. in North Adams WAS shut down during one particular business day - the day a robbery attempt was foiled at Hoosac Bank.