NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There will be plenty to do and see in North Adams this weekend as the 2017 Fall Foliage Festival celebrates its 62nd year with "Magic in the Berkshires."

 

The annual events begin Friday night with the Children's Parade and a community dance and end on Sunday with the Fall Foliage Festival Parade that kicks off at 1 p.m. from Ocean State parking lot and marches to Main Street. 

 

Traffic will be stopped on west lane of Monument Square and Main Street for about a half hour on Friday night for the parade, which begins around 5:30. 

 

Main Street's west lane will also be blocked off Saturday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for the Fall Foliage Craft Fair. 

 

On Sunday, road closures will begin at 11 a.m. for the 5K Road Race and parade. All of Main Street will be closed off and parts of American Legion Drive and Ashland Street. Roads are not expected to reopen until 3 p.m. Expect limited access to Curran Highway and that road will be closed off to Ocean State well before the prior the parade steps off. 

FRIDAY, Sept. 29

 

Fall Foliage Children's Parade

4:30 to 6  p.m.

 

 

Registration begins at 4:30 in front of First Baptist Church and lineup at 5. Parade is led down Main Street by the Drury marching band and band front starting at 5:30.

 

Participants will be judged  on costumes, groups, and floats  decorated to this year's theme of Magic in the Berkshires and Mayor Richard Alcombright will announce the winners and hand out awards at City Hall, where the parade concludes.

 

This year's judges are Dan Bosley, Bill Blackmer, Dawn Kato, Michelle Sampson and Geeg Wiles. 

A special thank you to Kathy Keeser, our volunteer children's parade organizer. We also thank Greylock Federal Credit Union and Persnickety Toys for sponsoring awards and prizes.

 

Fall Foliage Dance

7 to midnight

 

The free community dance will be held at the Game On recreation center located at 66 Main St. The band License to Groove will play hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

 

There is no cover charge, but donations to support next year's dance are welcome. Also, we encourage everyone to dress the theme of Magic in the Berkshires. This event is appropriate for all ages. Light, non-alcoholic beverages will be available and outside food is always welcome. Available games include darts, corn hole, ping-pong, foosball, chess, and air hockey.

 

Colegrove Park Movie

Dusk

 

 

The Colegrove Park Elementary School PTG will be showing "The Smurfs" in Colegrove Park. The movie is free. Food available for purchase. Proceeds support the PTG.

  

SATURDAY, Sept. 30

 

Fall Community Day of Service

9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

 

Kick off in Venable Gym at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts as the college and the North Adams community tackle local projects to benefit the city. From working in community gardens to helping on a local Habitat for Humanity build, there are jobs for all ages and skill levels.

 

Email Christopher Hantman with name, contact information and information for anyone else volunteering with you that day. Specify if volunteering as a team of if you have any specialties or abilities that may impact the service that you participate in, of if you would like to host a volunteer site. Send Hantman the project, number of volunteers needed, and any tools/transportation needed.

 

Fall Foliage Craft Fair

10 to 3

 

 

The annual craft fair will take place on the north side on Main Street between Eagle and Holden. This year's market features about 30 vendors selling a variety of holiday décor, jewelry, handmade gifts, crocheted & knit toys and clothing, candles, pet treats, stained glass, and more.

 

Balloon Ben will twist up balloon creations for the kids and the JP Murphy Band will play traditional Celtic tunesffrom 12:30-2:30, and Johnny Mystic's  magic show runs from 1 to 2.

 

Dog Days of Fall Dog Parade

10 to 11:30 a.m.

 

 

The dog parade steps off from the Veterans Memorial Park at the corner of Eagle Street and Route 2. Registration begins at 10 and parade begins at 10:30 and travels down Eagle, Main and Marshall streets to conclude at the North Adams Dog Park on Houghton. Dogs are encouraged to come in costume to magic theme. 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.

 

North Adams Farmers Market

9 to 1

 

 

Held in the St. Anthony's Muncipal Parking Lot; market accepts EBT/SNAP and doubles benefits while funding is available. It will include animal rescue agencies and dogs are welcome. Fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, canned goods, baked goods, eggs, and meat available. 

 

AYJ Fund Corn Hole Tournament

Noel Field

Noon registration | start at 1

 

This the 2nd annual fundraiser for the AYJ Fund. Cost is $20 per team and includes all ages. There will be kids corn hole, bocce, can jam, Fatboy's Food truck, chinese auction and more. More information: 413-652-1602

 

VFW Post 996 Fall Bazaar

Mohawk Trail

9 to 3 

 

Something for everyone: chinese auction, fish bowl, raffles, baked goods,

fried dough & hot dogs. Contact: Mary Risch, 413-743-5040

 

 

SUNDAY, Oct. 1

 

Parade Breakfast

American Legion Post 125

8 to 11

 

Greylock Federal Fall Classic 5k

Race starts at noon

 

 

Greylock Federal Credit Union presents the 29th annual road race. Packet pickup on race day and registration begins at 10:30 a.m. at 85 Main St. First 150 registrants receive a race T-shirt.

Co-sponsored by Berkshire Eagle and Berkshire Running Center

 

Fall Foliage Parade

Parade begins at 1

 

 

The parade sponsored by 1Berkshire steps off at 1 from the Ocean State parking lot and travels down State Street onto Main Street and concludes on Ashland Street at the L

 

This year's grand marshals are the longtime members of the Fall Foliage Parade Committee. Thank you to Janet Lanoue, Joanne Thornton, Ed Nimmons, Jack Brooks, Bruce Hayden, Dale Waterman, and Kathy Keeser for your many decades of service.

 

This year's parade will have close to 100 participating units, including more than a dozen floats. Congressman Richard Neal will be marching this year, along with state Sen. Adam Hinds, Mayor Alcombright, and North Adams City Council members.

 

Participating candidates for North Adams City Council, North Adams mayor, and state representative include John Barrett III, Tom Bernard, Lisa Blackmer, Stephanie Bosely, Rebecca Cohen, Paul Hopkins, Jason LaForest, Robert Moulton Jr., Bryan Sapienza, and Kevin Towle.

 

MCLA President Jamie Birge will be walking along with many of the college's student groups. Other highlights will be one of B & B Micro Manufacturing's tiny houses and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art has brought back the Brooklyn United Marching Band that performed at the opening of Building 6. In addition to the professional bands that will be joining us we welcome back our competing area high school marching bands from Drury, Hoosac Valley, Ichabod Crane, and Pittsfield.