Every third Thursday from May through October, the city of Pittsfield gives itself the equivalent of an over-the-top Bar Mitzvah. Director of Cultural Development Megan Whilden manages to outdo herself each month, coordinating the creative community to turn the downtown into what was known in the go-go sixties as a happening. Whilden stages a street fair that reflects the city's diversity and celebrates its can-do spirit with live music on the sidewalks, performance artists roaming the streets and stalls selling locally-made ethnic food as well as barbecue and a farmer's market. This Thursday, September 18, she has arranged for tethered hot-air balloon rides over The Common ($15/$10 for kids under 12) and the debut of something called the FlipFlip Chorus, and anyone wearing flip flops is invited to participate. Cultural Pittsfield's 3rd ThursdaySeptember 18; 5 - 8PM
