Ga es M vies
T keout Ga es M vies T keout out out
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2021 • 1PM • NORTH ADAMS
CITY OF NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS
Office of the Mayor
Thomas W. Bernard
Welcome back to the City of North Adams for the 65th annual Fall Foliage Parade! I’m excited to join our community in celebrating this annual fall tradition in North Adams and the Northern Berkshires, and I’m thrilled to work with the great organizers and volunteers to bring back the Fall Foliage Parade after making the incredibly difficult decision to cancel it – and so many other treasured events last year.
But we are back and feeling hopeful and in the mood for a celebration! This is the case because so many people worked so hard to keep our community safe. I’m thrilled that we are honoring the team from the Northern Berkshire Emergency Operations Center as our honorary Grand Marshals this year. This group of volunteers were tireless in serving as a hub for collaboration across the Northern Berkshires (and providing a regional emergency response model that is the envy of the Commonwealth). They organized and distributed resources, shared information, connected individuals and organizations to services, and distributed nearly 25,000 vaccine doses to our residents. So, when you see these local heroes –and all our front-line responders – along the parade route,
please let them know how much North Adams appreciates them, and how grateful we are to them!
The theme of the parade also highlights some of the things that kept many people going during some truly challenging months: Games, Movies, and Take-out. I can’t wait to see how people recognize this theme in their banners and floats, and in the music of our great local and regional school bands. On the theme of Take-out, I also want to extend thanks on behalf of North Adams to the restaurant staff – and to all front line and service workers – who put in long hours, changed up menus and venues, adapted to ever changing public health guidelines, and helped feed bodies and spirits in our community.
As always, everything you see along the parade route is the result of the tireless efforts of the parade organizers, community volunteers, and city staff. Thank you to everyone who offers their time, talent, and energy to create yet another great and memorable Fall Foliage Parade!
I hope you enjoy the parade and encourage you to explore the cultural amenities and natural beauty of our city, visit local businesses and restaurants, and experience the civic pride and the resilience that makes North Adams such a special place to live.
Please enjoy this wonderful celebration of fall, hope, service, and the tireless community spirit of North Adams! And above all, stay safe!
Sincerely,
Mayor Tom Bernard
This coming Sunday, October 3, 2021, at 1pm, the 65th Annual Fall Foliage Parade will kick off in North Adams. It may look a bit different this year, but you can expect marching units, high school bands, floats, dignitaries, and more to travel the newly shortened parade route. 1Berkshire is thrilled to once again partner with the City of North Adams to plan and organize this familiar and beloved Northern Berkshire tradition, a reminder of the way things used to be.
The last eighteen months have been anything but familiar. As a region, a Commonwealth, and a nation, we have traversed some very challenging circumstances. The Fall Foliage Parade itself was canceled for just the second time in its storied history. The headwinds
of the pandemic have buffeted all of us, from private citizens to small businesses, to healthcare organizations, and municipalities. Throughout the pandemic, however, it has been encouraging to see our communities come together; to raise money for those who need it, to take care of each other, and to support local businesses. That we are having a parade this year is a testament to everyone who did their part to help us get to where we are now.
One of the most visible and most impactful examples of this support is the phenomenal work of the Northern Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee’s Emergency Operations Center, and we are proud to honor them collectively as the Grand Marshals
months, and provided some muchneeded fun. I’m sure you will see that fun well represented along the parade route on Sunday!
Speaking of fun, please enjoy the ability to stretch your legs and visit some of the region’s outdoor attractions, cultural venues, and restaurants this weekend. These local businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and they would love to welcome you back in the same way that we welcome the Parade’s return.
the 65th Annual Fall Foliage Parade. This group of volunteers activated immediately and stood up an incredible emergency response that helped the Northern Berkshires navigate some of the hardest days of the pandemic, and in time, distributed over 25,000 doses of vaccine. This parade is happening because of these volunteers who logged and continue to log countless hours to get us through the pandemic.
Where you bank matters. Your community depends on it.
The simple decision of where you bank and how your bank deploys your money can have a big impact on your community.
With Berkshire, you are banking local while enjoying the premium service offerings the big banks provide mixed with that smaller bank attention to service. All while helping us meet our top priorities of fostering small businesses and growing the local economy.
Thank you for supporting us for 175 years.
Speaking of getting through the pandemic, this year’s theme celebrates some things that helped make all those days of lockdown more bearable: Games, Movies, and Take-Out! Whether Monopoly or Mario, Netfl ix or VHS classics, pizza or burritos, these things fi lled our hours, our minds, and our stomachs during these last 18
We also wish to thank the many volunteers, marchers, and businesses that have donated their time and energy to the return of the Fall Foliage Parade. It is no small task to organize an event this size, but everyone works together with enthusiasm because it is a timehonored tradition, and a touchstone to generations of families. It is a reminder of the way things used to be, and will be again. This year’s Parade is a special one, because it is proof of all we can accomplish when we work together. 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
of
2021 Fall Foliage Festival Events
2021 Fall Foliage Festival – Games, Movies & Take-out
The 65th Annual Fall Foliage Festival kicked off Sept. 24th, 2021 in North Adams! Here is a list of the events that are happening between now and the 65th Annual Fall Foliage Parade on Sunday, October 3, 2021. Detailed descriptions and information about events can be found online at explorenorthadams. com/city-events
Fall Foliage LEAF
HUNT Clues nnounced! Look for them in the Berkshire Eagle and in iBerkshires.com
Hoosac Valley Fall
Foliage Train Rides
Departs from/returns to the Train Depot in ADAMS, MA https://www.berkshiretrains.org/ tickets
SAT./SUN. through the end of October: 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
*SUNDAY, October, 3rd: 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
$16/adults, $14/seniors & armed forces w/ID, $12/children 4-14, $1/lapsitter
Welcome coach located at 3 Depot Street, Adams. Trains will depart Adams Station on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are available for reservation and pre-purchase at https://www.berkshiretrains.
September 26 - October 6
org/tickets page or walk-up at the station in Adams.
THURSDAY, September 30th
Fall Foliage Ziti Supper
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Parish Center 70 Marshall Street (413) 663-5316
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 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 or The Moulton Spectacle Shoppe: 413-6644270 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, October 1st
Annual Fall 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 “Games, Movies & Take-Out”. Participants must arrive at Eagle streets at 5:00 PM. Parade begins at 5:30 PM and will proceed west on Main St. to City Hall. Ribbons will
2021 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 3rd 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, Curran Highway, 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-foliageparade or call 413.499.1600.
be given to all participants. Group and float winners will be invited to participate in the Fall Foliage Parade on Sunday, October, 3,2021. Please note that groups should be 10 or less children, as there are only 10 medals that will be awarded per category/ prize. Awards are sponsored by The Norad Toy and Candy Co. and Greylock Federal Credit Union.
SATURDAY,
October 2th
North Adams Farmers Market: Bring Your Dog to the Market St. Anthony Municipal Parking Lot Intersection of Route 88/ Marshall St./Saint Anthony Dr. (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! Help us celebrate the Dog Days of Fall by bringing your dog to the market. Please consider bringing a non-perishible dog food or monetary donation to benefit the local animal shelter.
As always, patrons of the market can find fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, canned goods, baked goods, eggs, and meat. For more information or a schedule of events, call or e-mail tourism@ northadams-ma.gov.
Fall Bazaar
VFW Post 996 – Mohawk Trail (413) 743-5040
9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
Something for everyone: Chinese Auction, Fish Bowl, Raffles, Baked Goods, Fried Dough & Hot Dogs. Contact: Mary Risch, 743-5040
10th Annual Fall Dog
Parade
Veteran’s Memorial Park
Corner of Eagle Street and Route 2 (413) 664-6180
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. (registration at 10:00, parade at 10:30)
FREE but donations to local animal rescues accepted
All dogs are encouraged to participate. Owners are encouraged to make costumes and enter their dogs into this parade. This year’s parade theme is “Games, Movies & Take-Out.” Categories are: funniest, best duo (owner and dog), best group (dogs), best small dog, best medium-sized dog, and best large dog. Prizes will be awarded following the parade and ribbons will be given to all participants. Dog parade winners will be invited to participate in the Fall Foliage Parade. Awards are sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union.
Fall Foliage Craft Fair
Main Street (413) 664-6180
12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
FREE
Join us downtown for a celebration of Fall Foliage with local artisan and crafter booths. For Vendor applications and information on space fees, please call 413-664-6180 or email tourism@northadams-ma.gov
SUNDAY, October
3rd
1Berkshire Presents the 65th Annual Fall Foliage Parade –Games, Movies & Take-Out
Downtown North Adams info@1berkshire.com 1:00 p.m.
Parade begins at 1pm. The parade will commence at the lot by DiSanti Field, and conclude on Ashland Street after passing through downtown via Main Street. https://1berkshire.com/ calendar/fall-foliage-parade/
Parade Map 2021
New Parade Route!
This year, the parade will start in a new location. 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 commitment for participants. The new start will be located at the intersection of State Street and Old State Street. Only the start has changed. The rest of the route will remain 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
Sheriff
Thomas Bowler And The Duputies of
What a Lineup: What a Lineup:
Adams Community Bank
Adams Forest Warden
Department
American Homes and Rentals
AMVETS Post 101
AYJ Fund
Ben Downing for MA
Governor
Bennington batman
Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Community College
Berkshire Dance Theatre
Berkshire Fatherhood Coalition
Berkshire Food Project
Berkshire Helping Hands
BFAIR
Chasing Dreams Dance Center
Children’s Parade Winners
Congressman Richard Neal
District 1 of the American Legion
District Attorney Andrea Harrington
Dog Parade Winners
Drury Band
Extraordinary Arts LLC
Florida Fire Department
General Dynamics
Girl Scouts
Grand Marshal Northern Berkshire REPC COVID-19
Operation Center
Greylock Community Club Inc.
Greylock Elementary School
Hoosac Valley Hurricane Marching Band
iBerkshires.com
Ichabod Crane Riders Marching Band
Jennifer Macksey for Mayor
Lipton Energy
Lynette Bond for Mayor
Mayor Tom Bernard
McCann Alumni Inc.
MCLA
Melha Shriners
Michael Obasohan for City Council
Moresi & Associates MountainOne
North Adams City Council
North Adams Elks Lodge #487
North Adams Youth Cheerleading
Northern Berkshire Freemason (30th Masonic District of MA)
Northern Berkshire LGBTQ + Community & Allies
Northern Berkshire Registry of Deeds Maria T Ziemba
Park Square Financial Advisors of Raymond James
Pittsfield High School Marching Band
ROOTS Teen Center
Scoil Rince Breifne O Ruairc
Senator Adam Hinds
Sheriff Thomas Bowler & The Berkshire County Sheriff ’s Office
Shire Donuts
Specialty Minerals
State Representative John Barrett
State Representative Paul Mark
Talulah’s Family
The Brien Center
Townsquare Berkshires Uncle Sam Parade Chorus
Very Good Property Development
VFW Post 996 and its Auxiliary Woodford Snobusters and Southside Sales Visit www.1berkshire.com/ events/fall-foliage-parade/ for the line-up order.
Fall Foliage Parade Committee
The Fall Foliage Parade Committee would like to thank the community for their ongoing support. After the cancelation of the 2020 parade, we were thrilled to get back to work to plan for the 2021 parade. We look forward to seeing the participants, sponsors, and the spectators along the parade route this year. But, our hearts will
be heavy as we will be kicking off our first parade without two of our parade committee membersJack Brooks and Tony DeMarco. To the Brooks and DeMarco families, thank you for sharing Jack and Tony with our committee all these years. Our thoughts are with all of you on this upcoming parade day.
Jack Brooks Tony DeMarco
Prefer to watch the Parade from the comfort of your home?
Northern Berkshire Community Television Corp. has you covered! Live coverage of the 65th Annual Fall Foliage Parade will begin at 1 pm on Spectrum’s Channel 1301
Sunday, October 3 Or watch a live stream feed at iBerkshires.com For more information, visit www.nbctc.org or call 413-663-9006
2021 Fall Foliage Parade Grand Marshal
This year, the parade committee is pleased to be able to honor the Northern Berkshire REPC COVID-19 Operation Center by naming them as the Fall Foliage Parade Grand Marshal. The REPC mobilized immediately in March of 2020 and with the help of the City of North Adams, the Operations Center was able to open and operate at the North Adams Airport. This hardworking team began the work on public service announcements, policies, recommendations, and state and federal communications. Additionally, under the Operations Center, the group did a great deal of work with housing, food, sheltering, and much more. The Operations Center served as an important centralized PPE depot and they became the one spot for eight Northern Berkshire communities and two colleges to turn to throughout the pandemic. Due to the planning and work the group did in 2020, including writing their own
plan for a vaccine clinic, the Northern Berkshire vaccination clinic was established at St. Elizabeth’s of Hungary in North Adams; where the first Covid-vaccinations were then delivered in Berkshire County.
As the parade committee was looking to highlight and celebrate the things that provided some normalcy during the pandemic (Games, Movies & Takeout), we couldn’t forget the people who were working to keep us safe, the Northern
Berkshire Emergency Operations Team:
Amalio Jusino: Chairman of REPC and COVID Operations Coordinator
Steve Meranti: NAFD Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director, COVID Operations Chief
John Meaney: EMS Chief and REPC Treasurer
Michael Moore & Heather Demarsico: City of North Adams Board of Health
Mark Pierson: City of
North Adams MIS Director
Bill Meranti: City of North Adams Dir. of Inspection Services/ Building Commissioner, COVID Operations Facilities Manager
Mitchel Meranti: City of North Adams Wire & Alarm, COVID Operations Communication Specialist
Stacy Parsons: North Adams Public Schools, COVID Operations
Liaison Officer
Dave Anderson: Pastor, COVID Operations Community Liaison
Bruce Shepley: COVID Operations Community Liaison, Logistics Support
Mike Cozzaglio: COVID Operations Community Liaison, Planning Support
Jay Green: Adams Town Administrator, COVID Operations Safety Officer
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 first Fall Foliage Festival was born and with it a history of community spirit and growth that has evolved into one of the finest civic celebrations in the United States.
The festival’s first-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 financial 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 has 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 for years to come.
