That time we dumped snow ONTO North Street

We were on a winning streak. Anything that we dreamed possible seemed to just work out.
Nothing could get in our way.
Not. Even. This.
I mean, at least we hoped.
Because, picture this. Can you possibly imagine the number of people and business owners who would be utterly pissed at the prospect of the city closing North Street completely to traffic in order to ….(take a breath)…. pile truckloads, and truckloads….and truckloads of snow onto the street and sidewalks.

Now, at the time, I was working as communications chief for Mayor Ruberto. It was my job to bring this all together – internally with all the necessary departments (public works, police, fire, etc. etc.). There was definitely some grumbling in that staff meeting, but we had a can-do attitude that came from pulling off what many never thought possible.

Afterall, this was the timeframe when we flawlessly pulled off a Bob Dylan/Willie Nelson concert at Wahconah Park, we started Third Thursdays out of thin air, tens of thousands of new visitors began coming to Pittsfield for the first time for Barrington Stage Company performances, the Colonial Theatre and we even had a downtown restaurant scene that was finally adequate for the county seat of the Berkshires.

So, blanketing North Street with some snow for a world-renowned artist doing his thing. Hell, yes we can. And we did.

Strategically choosing a Sunday morning for the shoot definitely helped to reduce the impact. We worked through a compromise with St. Joe’s, which of course, has something important to do for folks on Sundays. The city was reimbursed for its trouble and the snow was removed promptly.
All in all, we did it. That attitude made so much possible during that special era of Pittsfield’s history, and we have another beautiful piece of Gregory Crewdson artwork to show for it.

#Pittsfield365