The House adjourned for an extra-long weekend after adopting a resolution designating the weekend of Aug. 12-13 as this year’s sales tax holiday.

The Senate agreed to the same dates for the tax holiday. The House advanced a few local bills and adjourned in memory of former House Speaker David Bartley of Holyoke. With Juneteenth on Monday, the House plans to meet next on Tuesday.

As the Herald previously reported, state Senate President Karen Spilka said she would not consider extending the pause on the state’s 6.25% sales tax. “We’re not there yet,” she added.

“But we will be doing the weekend,” the Democrat from Ashland said and that has proven true.

First tried for just one day in 2004 but made into an annual full weekend holiday in 2018, the law aims to boost consumer spending for one weekend a year at the expense of millions in sales tax revenue.

There are some exclusions to the holiday, which only applies to purchases less than $2,500.

Purchases of cars, boats, meals, utilities, marijuana, tobacco and alcohol are still taxed. Gasoline is not subject to the sales tax and so is not affected by the holiday. Business purchases are still taxable.

Residents who want to do their shopping online may do so as well, provided their purchase is made during the sales tax holiday weekend.