Carl Jenkins Named Grand Marshal of 54th Fall Foliage Parade
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"We are honored to have Carl Jenkins as this year's grand marshal to help us celebrate the Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Festivities," said Rod Bunt, parade director and head of the Mayor's Office of Tourism. "Carl has been part of the parade for many years and an integral part of the community."
Last year's grand marshal was former Major League Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent.
Jenkins has been employed by the North Adams Public Schools since 1973, becoming director of the district's music program and head instrumental instructor at the high school three years later. He retired this past June but has since been appointed the city's part-time coordinator for fine and performing arts.
During his tenure, the school band traveled extensively, developed a yearly instrumental clinic and workshop, commissioned two compositions and received donations in excess of $350,000 that have made scholarships and enrichment programs available to past and present musicians.
He also is an adjunct teacher of oboe at Williams College. He was the founding conductor of the college's Symphonic Winds, directing the ensemble for nine years, and director of its Woodwind Ensembles for 20 years.
Jenkins has been active in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, twice serving as district jazz band manager and as district concert band manager, and was the district orchestra manager in 2007.
He received the North Adams Public Schools Teacher of the Year Award in 1989 and was presented the Lowell Mason Award for his years of dedication to music education in 2002. Western District MMEA members presented him with the Music Educator of the Year Award this year.
The annual Fall Foliage Parade is coordinated by the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. It will step off this year on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 1 from the Walmart parking lot and continue north on Curran Highway before winding through downtown North Adams. Thousands of Berkshire residents and visitors enjoy the annual parade, which commemorates the magnificent autumn season.
The Fall Foliage Festival Parade Committee selected "A Taste of the Berkshires" as the theme for the 2009 parade to celebrate the unique and diverse flavors found within Northern Berkshire County.
Although the parade is still months away, the organizational effort is already strong. Over the next few weeks, parade committee members will coordinate an array of marching bands, floats, banners and other marching units in preparation for the monumental event. For more information on how to support this year's parade, call Christine Hoyt of the chamber at 413-499-4000, Ext. 26, or Bunt at 413-664-6180, or visit www.fallfoliageparade.com.
