Have Fun in Adams at Thunderfest Saturday

It looks like a great weather day ahead for this year's Thunderfest, "where the hardy come to party", as the billboard proclaims. Thunderfest runs from Noon to 5 Saturday at the Adams Visitors Center, on Hoosac Street.

There's no charge to show up, meet friends, check out popular local food vendors, look over the offerings from local retail and recreational vendors and enjoy some tunes, this year from Acoustic Groove and Whiskey City, while gathering around the big outdoor fire pit.

Special brews from Wandering Star and Bright Ideas, and local wines from Balderdash Cellars will be for sale so don't forget your ID. Youth Center Inc. will provide fun activities for the kids too. And that's just on the grounds outside.

Inside the Visitors Center is where you'll find the Thunderbolt Ski Museum and the annual Thunderfest Chowder Competition starting at 1:30, with several new additions to sample and vote for this year. For a separate ticket, you can take the family for a ride aboard the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum's special Snow Trains.

About the only thing missing from the big event this year is the Thunderbolt Ski Race, which was the impetus for creating the original Thunderfest party. Exploreadams.com explains that the Thunderbolt Ski Runners are taking a well deserved year off from holding the downhill race down the Thunderbolt from the summit of Mount Greylock. In recent years, only half of the planned races have actually been held due to lack of snow.

If you've never been to Thunderfest before, it really is a fun way to spend a Saturday. If you've enjoyed it before, keep an eye out for the new additions this year. The Thunderfest 2019 event page on Facebook has all the details.