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
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
2022 Fall Foliage Festival Holidays on Parade
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
September 29 - October 2
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!
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 participate in the Fall Foliage Parade 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 category/prize. No motorized vehicles or live animals are allowed.
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 Berkshire United Way and local community organizations.
North Adams Farmers
Market
St. Anthony Municipal Parking Lot
Intersection of Route 88/Marshall 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 layover. Listen to the narrated history of the rail line and local area on board. 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 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 parade will commence at the lot by DiSanti Field, and conclude on Ashland Street after passing through downtown via Main Street. 1berkshire.com/calendar/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 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
Parade Map
Starting Point
Ending Point
Parade Directions
Starting Point
Ending Point
What a Lineup:
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 community 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.
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.
2022 Fall Foliage Parade Grand Marshals
This year, the Parade Committee is pleased to be able to honor The Arnold and The King Families by naming them as the Grand Marshals for the upcoming 66th Annual Fall Foliage parade presented by 1Berkshire. The parade will be held in downtown North Adams 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 tradition 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 family 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 realize 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 generation, is something the Arnolds enjoy. “It’s so special to us as a family, and we’re just as thankful that it’s special to the community as well.”
From 1986 to 2015, MaryAnn and Leon King
have dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the City of North Adams’ tree lighting. They continue to volunteer and do appearances for various groups and organizations, and have volunteered with the Cub Scouts, Northern Berkshire Youth Soccer, PTG, R.O.P.E.S, the Downtown 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 Police Department, including 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 continued, “Two years later, Claire was retiring, so the City now needed both Santa and Mrs. Claus.” Not finding a Mrs. Claus costume that she liked, MaryAnn set out to make her own, and had to share this news with her young children 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 everywhere, so he contacted spe-
Wayne Arnold MaryAnn & Leon King
cial people to be his helpers.” 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 Committee as Grand Marshals, Mayor Macksey stated, “It’s fitting that the Arnold and King families have been named as this year’s Grand Marshals of the 66th Annual Fall Foliage Parade, ‘Holidays on Parade.’ Both families
have brought joy to members of our community for decades.”
Mayor Macksey continued 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 continuously awes us. With 7,000 lights, the display was recognized in 2020 as Berkshire County’s best holiday light display. From wellknown children’s characters to good ol’ Saint Nicholas and Mrs. Claus, angel figures and more, the Ar-
COMMUNITY IS OUR MIDDLE NAME.
nolds lift the spirits of both young and old.”
“MaryAnn and Leon King for three decades have put smiles on the faces of children. MaryAnn helps coordinate the annual emergency services toy drive, bringing happiness to children during the holidays, as well as to their first responder parents who selflessly serve our community. The Kings also participate in our City’s annual Tree Lighting celebration, and have been known to portray Santa and Mrs. Claus during festivities.”
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
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“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.
