Fall Foliage Parade 2022

CITY OF NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS

Dear Friends,

It is a privilege to welcome you to the City of North Adams for the 66th annual Fall Foliage Parade; an exciting historic event that kicks off our celebration of the season right here in the beautiful Berkshires. The parade continues to be an anticipated event that attracts many to North Adams, offering a theme that appeals to all ages. Each year, a dedicated group of talented volunteers and City employees work diligently to brainstorm, organize, create, and invite participants to join in on the fun. My sincere thanks to all who engage in making the parade an enjoyable and successful event that brings us together as a community, and welcomes everyone to our City.

This year’s theme, “Holidays on Parade,” is sure to cause smiles. You will see costumes, floats and more that celebrate a host of holidays.

Even spectators can take part. If it’s Saint Patrick’s Day (my favorite holiday) you look forward to, wear a shamrock print tie! It’s that easy. Be sure to acknowledge our Grand Marshals. They are two families who have been bringing joy to others for decades. Wayne Arnold and his family have been spreading cheer with a 7,000- plus elaborate Christmas lights display on their property that continuously awes us; and MaryAnn and Leon King help coordinate the annual emergency services toy drive, participate in our city’s annual tree lighting celebration, and have been known to portray Santa and Mrs. Claus during festivities.

While you are here, I encourage you to visit local businesses and explore the natural resources that make North Adams such a unique place to reside. Enjoy “Holidays on Parade” and please come back again!

Sincerely,

Mayor Jennifer A. Macksey

Office of the Mayor Jennifer A. Macksey

On Sunday, October 2, 2022, at 1pm, the 66th Annual Fall Foliage Parade will kick off in North Adams. 1Berkshire is thrilled to once again partner with the City of North Adams to plan and organize this familiar and beloved Northern Berkshire annual event. This year’s theme, “Holidays on Parade,” is cause for a celebration. Marching units, high school bands, creative floats, local dignitaries, and many more, will make their way down the parade route.

The Fall Foliage Parade continues to be a success because it is truly a community effort. From the groups who march,

to the community-minded individuals who plan the event, to the many businesses that donate their time and energy, it takes a small army to create a vibrant, festive parade each year. But it’s even more than a community event - it is a celebration of North Adams and Fall in the Berkshires; it’s a show of civic pride that gathers family, friends and neighbors to enjoy the festivities and make memories year after year.

Please enjoy the Berkshires this weekend and visit some of the region’s countless outdoor attractions, cultural venues, and restaurants over the course of this year’s festival and throughout the Fall. These local businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and they would love to celebrate with you. We also wish to thank the

many volunteers, marchers, and businesses that have donated their time and energy to the Fall Foliage Parade. It is no small task to organize an event of this size, but everyone works together with enthusiasm because it is a time-honored tradition, and a touchstone to generations of families. We hope you enjoy the event as much as we have enjoyed planning and organizing it, and we look forward to seeing you along the parade route!

Jonathan Butler President and CEO

Fall Foliage Parade

2022 Fall Foliage Festival Holidays on Parade

September 29 - October 2

The 66th Annual Fall Foliage Festival kicks off late September in North Adams! Here is a list of events happening between now and the 66th Annual Fall Foliage Parade on Sunday, October 2, 2022.

Detailed descriptions and information about events can be found online at explorenorthadams.com/city-events or berkshires.org

Fall Foliage LEAF HUNT Clues announced!

Look for them in the Berkshire Eagle and in iBerkshires.com

THURSDAY, Sept. 29th

Fall Foliage Chicken Parm Dinner

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Center 70 Marshall Street (413) 663-5316

4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. $15/per person

The St. Anthony’s Kitchen Meal Ministry Program is hosting a curbside, cash & carry Chicken Parm Fall Foliage Dinner on Thursday, September 30th! Menu includes: Chicken parm with ziti, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Please purchase your

tickets in advance by calling or stopping at: The rectory: 413-663-5316 (ext. 2), or The Moulton Spectacle Shoppe: 413-664-4270 during business hours.

COVID Notes: This is a CASH, CARRY and CURBSIDE fundraiser. Simply pull up alongside the curb on the Holden Street side of the parish center! You will be directed from there by one of the on site coordinators. This fundraiser will aid the ministry in building its kitchen supplies as well as stocking the food shelves!

FRIDAY, Sept. 30th Fall Foliage Festival

Children’s Parade

Main Street North Adams (413) 664-6180

Registration begins: 4:30 p.m./ Lineup: 5:00 p.m. / Parade: 5:30 p.m. FREE

Children from throughout the Northern Berkshire’s are encouraged to make costumes and enter the parade. This year’s theme is “Holidays on Parade”. Participants must arrive at Main and Eagle streets at 5:00 PM. Parade begins at 5:30 PM and will proceed

west on Main St. to City Hall. Ribbons will be given to all participants. Group and float winners will be invited to par ticipate in the Fall Foliage Pa rade on Sunday, October, 2, 2022. Please note that groups should be 10 or less children, as there are only 10 medals that will be awarded per cat egory/prize. No motorized vehicles or live animals are al lowed.

SATURDAY, Oct. 1st Fall Foliage Festival Children’s Fair

Noel Field Athletic Complex 310 State Street North Adams, MA 01247 10:00 am - 12:00 pm FREE

Children’s Road Race, giveaways, games, entertainment for children of all ages. Booths hosted by the Northern Berk shire United Way and local community organizations.

North Adams Farmers Market

St. Anthony Municipal Park ing Lot Intersection of Route 88/Mar shall Street/Saint Anthony Drive (413) 664-6180 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. FREE

ExploreNorthAdams.com

The Farmers Market is one of the most pet-friendly places in

the city! As always, patrons of the market can find fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, canned goods, baked goods, eggs, and meat.

Hoosac Valley Fall Foliage Train Rides

Departs from/returns to the Train Depot in ADAMS, MA berkshiretrains.org/tickets

Running now through October 23; 1:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. Enjoy a 60-min. round trip train excursion with no lay over. Listen to the narrated his tory of the rail line and local area on board. Welcome coach located at 3 Depot Street, Ad ams. Trains will depart Adams Station on Saturdays and Sun days. Tickets are available for reservation and pre-purchase at berkshiretrains.org/tickets page or walk-up at the station in Adams.

SUNDAY, Oct. 2nd 1Berkshire Presents the 66th Annual Fall Foliage Parade –Holidays on Parade Downtown North Adams info@1berkshire.com 1:00 p.m. Parade begins at 1pm. The pa rade will commence at the lot by DiSanti Field, and conclude on Ashland Street after passing through downtown via Main Street. 1berkshire.com/calen dar/fall-foliage-parade

A Big Thank you to All of our 2022 Contributors

Platinum Leaf Sponsors

City of North Adams MountainOne

Silver Leaf Sponsors

Adams Community Bank Berkshire Community College Greylock Federal Credit Union iBerkshires.com

MCLA Sweetwood of Williamstown Wild Oats Market Hotel Downstreet

Bronze Leaf Sponsors

Carr Hardware, North Adams General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. Greylock Insurance KB Accounting Wayfair

Autumn Leaf Sponsors AYJ Fund

North Adams Elks Lodge #487

#NAMAzing Supporters

Shirley Lescarbeau & Loribeth Hartlaub, in memory of Lescarbeau & Luczynski Families

Steve Green & Sue Walker Phil & Denise Krutiak

Jennifer & Tom Bernard, in memory of Thomas G. Bernard

Rita A. Gardner, in memory of Chuck & Mark Gardner

Individual Donors

Theresa Armata Peter and Maryanne Belouin, in memory of Stephen Belouin Judy & Charlie Blaisdell

Pauline & Robert Bona Mary Burbuto Mary Caffrey

John & Beverly Canale, in honor of All Who Need Prayers Mary A. Caproni, in memory of Eugene & Fred Scerbo Gene S. & Justyna M. Carlson

The Cellena’s Paul Corriveau, in memory of Kay Corriveau

Jerry & Mary Desmarais Joseph S. & Mary M. Domenichini

George & Debbie Forgea, in memory of Kay Corriveau Dennis & Elizabeth Gilbert Donald & Carol Graves Marianne & William Judge David & Marybeth Kennedy

Al & Lorraine Mancuso Bob & Janice Moresi

Bob & Barb St. Pierre, in memory of Sonny St. Pierre Joseph & Patricia Prenguber, in memory of Our Families

Mike & Diane Pytko, in memory of Ted Pytko & William Dami

Joe & Colleen Rossi, in memory of Inez & Joseph Rossi and Suzanne & Robert Ross

Catherine Scerbo

Julia Wolfrum

Theresa Wood

Jean Veazie, in memory of Ed Veazie Susan Zoltek

This list is donations as of September 13, 2022

2022 Parade Route

The parade route is now 1.2 miles and mostly flat, making the parade more walkable for all ages and abilities. The shorter parade route is also less of a time com mitment for participants. The new start will be lo cated at the intersection of State Street and Old State Street. Only the start has changed. The rest of the route will re main the same, bringing the parade down State Street to Main Street and ending on Ashland Street. We ask spectators to spread out along the parade route. For more information, including a map of the parade route, visit https://1berkshire. com/events/fall-foliageparade/

Fall Foliage Parade Map 2021

Parade Map

Starting Point

Ending Point

Parade Directions

Starting Point

Ending Point

Adams Community Bank Adams Street Fair Committee

American Legion Post 160

AMVETS

Arnold Family Christmas

BAAMS

Berkshire Cider Project Berkshire Community College

Berkshire County Sheriff ’s Office

Berkshire Delegation

Berkshire Fatherhood Coalition

Berkshire Harm Reduction Berkshire Mountains Faerie Festival Clarksburg School

Clarksburg Volunteer Fire Company

Common Folk Artist Collective

Dr.George L.Curran VFW & VFW AUX

Drury High School

Marching Band

Elder Services of Berkshire

County

Florida Fire Department

Hoosac Valley High School Marching Band

Ichabod Crane Riders Marching Band

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Massachusetts Freemasons Mayor Jennifer Macksey McCann Alumni, Inc.

Melha Shriners

Minerva Arts Center

Mt. Williams Greenhouses

NaMa Act Out New Ashford Fire Department

North Adams Chamber of Commerce

North Adams City Council North Adams Elks #487

North Adams Youth Cheerleading

Northern Berkshire Girls Softball League

Northern Berkshire Registry of Deeds Maria Ziemba

Northern Berkshire United Way

Optimal Healing, LLC Past Tense

Pittsfield High School Marching Band

Pooches Pet Grooming

Second Chance Cycle

Second Chance Stables & Draft Rescue Inc.

State Representative

John Barrett, III Terra Nova Church

The Clubhouse from Terra Nova Church Very Good Property Management Woodford Snobusters and Southside Sales

This list of participants are the applications received as of September 9, 2022.

2022 Fall Foliage Parade Committee

1Berkshire would like to thank the following members of our com munity for serving on the 2022 Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade Committee:

Sandra Cote Arthur DeBow Bruce Hayden Suzy Helme Christine Hoyt

Cathleen King Joe Martin Joanne Thornton Doug Yriart

The Parade Committee would also like to thank all those that have helped the City of North Adams with their Festival of Events, including Kathy Keeser, Justyna Carlson, Northern Berkshire United Way, The Youth Center, and Child Care of the Berkshires.

Prefer to watch the Parade from the comfort of your home?

Northern Berkshire Community Television Corp. has you covered! Live coverage of the 66th Annual Fall Foliage Parade will begin at 1 pm on

Spectrum’s Channel 1301 Sunday, October 2

For more information, visit www.nbctc.org or call 413-663-9006

2022 Fall Foliage Parade Safety Information

The Fall Foliage Parade Committee is working with the North Adams Police Department on public safety for the Fall Foliage Festival and Parade on Sunday, October 2nd at 1:00 PM. The police will be working on street postings, road closings, detours, and all safety precautions.

The night before the parade there will be a number of streets posted with “NO PARKING” signs. These streets include Main, Church, lower Eagle, State, Ashland, Blackinton, and Porter. The postings will begin after midnight and take approximately three hours to post throughout the city.

Street cones, wooden horses, and signs will have been placed at all intersections with the help of the North Adams Department of Public Works. Portions of the route will be shut down at 11:00 AM, including all northbound traffic into the city via Route 8. By 12:00 PM, all traffic detour posts will be in place.

After the police cruisers take up the rear of the parade, the department begins the job of breaking down the detours, taking down all the “NO PARKING” signs, and everything else left from crowd control. The role of the police department is crucial to the execution of the parade and the parade committee is appreciative of their help and support year after year. The dispatchers at the Police Department also play a large role on parade day.

For more information about the Fall Foliage Parade, please visit 1berkshire.com/fall-foliage-parade or call 413.499.1600.

Fall Foliage Parade

2022 Fall Foliage Parade Grand Marshals

This year, the Parade Committee is pleased to be able to honor The Ar nold and The King Fami lies by naming them as the Grand Marshals for the upcoming 66th An nual Fall Foliage parade presented by 1Berkshire. The parade will be held in downtown North Ad ams on Sunday, October 2, 2022 at 1:00 pm. This year’s parade theme is Holidays on Parade, a celebration of all holidays and festivities throughout the calendar year.

Over 30 years ago, Wayne Arnold began decorating his house on East Main Street with just a few sets of lights on his porch; now that tradi tion has grown to include thousands of lights. Just as the display has grown, so has the family has grown: now, the fourth generation of Arnolds are involved. “As a young boy, my fam ily and I would travel to and from Northampton to see family and always admired the light dis

plays year after year,” said Wayne Arnold.

“You never quite real ize the impact it makes on others until you see other families visiting in the yard as part of their own long-standing tradition,” according to Arnold. The number of people coming back year after year, and generation after genera tion, is something the Ar nolds enjoy. “It’s so spe cial to us as a family, and we’re just as thankful that it’s special to the commu nity as well.”

From 1986 to 2015, MaryAnn and Leon King

have dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the City of North Adams’ tree light ing. They continue to vol unteer and do appearanc es for various groups and organizations, and have volunteered with the Cub Scouts, Northern Berk shire Youth Soccer, PTG, R.O.P.E.S, the Down town Celebration, and the Northern Berkshire Safety Camp through North Adams Public Schools, just to name a few. They have organized the Annual Toy Drive for Emergency Services, and have volunteered time for

many events sponsored by the North Adams Po lice Department, includ ing the sale of patches in observance of Childhood Cancer Awareness for the month of September.

MaryAnn told the story of how they got started as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. “Back in the ‘80s, the late Claire Piaggi dressed as Mrs. Claus for the annual Tree Lighting, and needed a Santa. Mayor John Barrett knew Leon had an outfit, and Leon was contacted by Claire.” MaryAnn con tinued, “Two years later, Claire was retiring, so the City now needed both San ta and Mrs. Claus.” Not finding a Mrs. Claus cos tume that she liked, Mary Ann set out to make her own, and had to share this news with her young chil dren in a way to keep the magic alive for the season.

“Krista and Leon were 7 and 5, so I made them elf outfits so they could be with us. We told them that Santa couldn’t be every where, so he contacted spe

Wayne Arnold MaryAnn & Leon King

cial people to be his help ers.” MaryAnn and Leon mailed Leon’s Santa suit to the house and the children thought it came directly from the North Pole. “We didn’t want to ruin their belief in Santa.”

Upon hearing the names of those selected by the Parade Commit tee as Grand Marshals, Mayor Macksey stated, “It’s fitting that the Ar nold and King families have been named as this year’s Grand Marshals of the 66th Annual Fall Fo liage Parade, ‘Holidays on Parade.’ Both families

have brought joy to mem bers of our community for decades.”

Mayor Macksey contin ued to explain how these families emulate this year’s parade theme. “For nearly

30 years, Wayne Arnold and his family have been spreading cheer with an elaborate Christmas lights

display on their East Main Street property that contin uously awes us. With 7,000 lights, the display was rec ognized in 2020 as Berk shire County’s best holiday light display. From wellknown children’s charac ters to good ol’ Saint Nich olas and Mrs. Claus, angel figures and more, the Ar

nolds lift the spirits of both young and old.”

“MaryAnn and Leon King for three decades have put smiles on the fac es of children. MaryAnn helps coordinate the an nual emergency services toy drive, bringing hap piness to children during the holidays, as well as to their first responder par ents who selflessly serve our community. The Kings also participate in our City’s annual Tree Lighting celebration, and have been known to por tray Santa and Mrs. Claus during festivities.”

Fall Foliage Parade

Fall Foliage Festival and Parade History

Close to three quarters of a century ago, the leadership of the North Adams Chamber of Commerce deemed the advent of the fall foliage season a time for celebration – given that the natural beauty of the surrounding mountain ranges drew visitors from all over the eastern United States. They decided to ask local residents to join them with their many visiting friends for a little fun and merriment during the most beautiful season of the year.

When Frank Casuscelli, the driving force behind the North Adams American Legion Drum

& Bugle Corps, received word that the chamber wanted to organize a celebration in 1947, he immediately contacted the rest of the members of the New York Drum and Bugle Corps Alliance to make arrangements for a street parade and drum corps competition to be held in North Adams. Prize money ($80) was offered and 10 units responded to the call. Thus, the fi rst Fall Foliage Festival was born and with it a history of community spirit and growth that has evolved into one of the fi nest civic celebrations in the United States.

The festival’s fi rst-year success did not continue, however. In 1948, without any available funding, the chamber was only able to arrange a parade that featured about 50 new trucks supplied by area dealers. It was obvious that more support was needed.

The next year it was decided that the festival would be combined with the 50th Anniversary celebration of the North Adams Elks. Over 25 area Elks groups, each with a band, marched in the parade that fall. The parade drew hundreds of appreciative spectators but the

festival still had a long road ahead.

During those early years, fall promotion was a part of the chamber’s retail division program. Although many local retailers worked hard to promote the project, it lacked the sound fi nancial support needed to attract quality musical units fit for a major parade. In 1950, $1,000 was raised and a parade with floats and a competition were both staged in October.

In 1956, with Donald Deans as the chamber’s president, the celebration began to take its present form. With Francis

“Bud” Hayden and Read Barrows as co-chairman, a full week of activities were planned that included the Queen Contest and Fashion Show. Member Corps of the New York State Drum and Bugle Corps Alliance were on hand for the big parade and competition. Support for the festival broadened to include more than just retail merchants. For the first time, the event ended in the black with money to build next year’s event.

Another turning point in the festival’s history came in 1958. Harry Orr, a man who was later tabbed Mr. Fall Foliage Festival, entered the scene. A master at staging civic celebrations and circus events, Orr had just retired to his hometown of North Adams. That year, the celebration was co-chaired by Milton Spencer and Rene Menard and Orr learned the ropes.

In 1959, Orr and Hayden served as co-chairmen. Many new activities were added to the festival’s calendar of events, including the Festival Dance and the Blessing of the Festival. The real “Orr touch” was seen in the rules and regulations, which has made the parade one of the top attractions of its kind in the country. The genius of Orr cannot go unremembered. Thus, a trophy in his memory is given annually to the float judged as the best themed entry.

The festival celebrated its 10th year as a full eight-day civic celebration in 1965. Thomas King, a longtime festival worker, was appointed

as general chairman. Chamber executive Arthur Kelts served as administrator. King’s reign saw the addition of current mainstays including the Children’s Parade and the Phantom Leaf Hunt. An air show was also added that year to kick-off the week’s activities.

New events and the expansion of existing events demanded a reorganization and decentralization effort. 1966 saw the establishment of a co-chairman system to lead the festival. An all-time high of 22 young women vied for the Queen’s title in 1966. Saturday became Family Fun Day with a full day of appealing activities planned. That year also saw the start of the High School Marching Band Competition.

In 1967, a window-painting competition for local youth and a teenage dance were added. A golf tournament and a Main Street ping-pong drop were added in 1968. In 1969, Harold Philips served as Festival Chairman and new events such as the balloon race, the no-rain dance, boxing exhibition, and various musical concerts were added.

In 1970 co-chairs Peter Mancuso and Marcia Brennan took advantage of the new Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink. They arranged for a hockey game and figure skating exhibition. The Fall Foliage Festival Queen, Miss Nancy Ryan, went on to enter the Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Pageant and won a scholarship award for her talent presentation.

Between 1971-1972 many new events were added such as a 10mile road race, an Arts & Crafts Sales, and a 10-mile bicycle race. In 1973 the addition of a large circus-type tent that hosted many events was added along with a skydiving exhibition, the Drury High School Band reunion, pancake and sausage breakfast,and more

1980 saw the return of the Drum Corps Exhibition. After a span of more than ten years, the drum corps competition was once again presented in the weeklong celebration. Since the 80’s the parade has marched on, delighting visitors and locals alike, with a small glitch in 1987 when the parade was cancelled due to an unprecedented blizzard. Themes such as There’s No Place Like Home in the

Berkshires (a nod to the Wizard of Oz) and Year of the Dog have continued to add drama to the event, inspiring fun floats and great musical arrangements by the participating bands. Then in 2020, for the second time only in the parade’s history, it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Happily, the parade returned in 2021 with renewed vigor and a shortened parade route.

Although the festival and parade have changed many times throughout the years, the original concept has remained solid: the advent of the fall foliage season is definitely a time for celebration. We look forward to keeping this tradition in the Berkshires going in 2022 and for years to come.

Fall Foliage Parade