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Black Dogs of the Berkshires wins second place for group with Jenaya McCue, Terese McCue, Greyson McCue, Nicolas McCue and Olive the dog.

North Adams Children's Parade Winners Announced

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Benjamin Wiessner is congratulated by Mayor Thomas Bernard after winning first place in the individual costume category. See more photos from the parade here. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There was a great turnout for the annual Children's Parade on Friday evening with almost all the participants incorporating this year's Fall Foliage Festival Parade theme of "The Year of the Dog."
 
The parade is traditionally a kickoff to the Fall Foliage Festival Weekend that culminates in on Sunday afternoon with the big parade. 
 
On Friday, there as a significant crowd of onlookers to watch the children and their guardians march down Main Street from the Monument Square to City Hall. The Drury High School played several musical selections at Monument Square and lead the parade to City Hall. 
 
According to organizer Kathy Keeser, 78 children registered to participate; there were eight float groups and 12 individuals in costumes. The winners were chosen by the judges prior to the start of the parade and medals and gift certificates were awarded at City Hall by Mayor Thomas Bernard. The mayor was assisted by parade volunteers. 
 
The winners in each category are as follows: 
 
Floats
  • First: "Pucker Up for the Pitbull in the Pagoda" with Carmela Reynolds, Wyatt Reynolds, Silas Cellana, Sawyer Cellana,and Jersey the pitbull
  • Second: "10 Cent Dog Bath" with Taia Byers, Evelyn Byers, Addison Stanley, Georgia Rose Wright
  • Third: "All Dogs go To Heaven," First Baptist Church of North Adams, with Abby Anderson, Michelle Wood, Ryan Braman, Norah Wood, Samuel Braman, Maddy Sigsbury, Mason Wood, Izzy Spoener, Lexi Girard, Ariana
 
Groups
  • First: Hot Dogs with Otto Lamb, Judah Rodgers, Zeke Rodgers
  • Second: Black Dogs of the Berkshires with Jenaya McCue, Terese McCue, Greyson McCue, Nicolas McCue and Olive the dog
  • Third: UCP as "Dogs that Made Reading Fun!" with Neraeh Tron, Jaelyn Trong, Kaylee Trong, Riley Trong, Chloe Ellis
Individuals
  • First: Benjamin Wiessner as the dog walker
  • Second: Ramona Miksic as canine superstar Bolt
  • Third: Gianna Briggs as a dog
The winners are invited to march in Sunday's parade, which kicks off at 1 p.m. from the Ocean State Job Lots parking lot. 
 
Other events this weekend include the Dog Parade on Saturday morning at 10:30 (registration at 10) from the Veterans Memorial followed by the 1st annual "Brew & Chew" from noon to 5 on Main Street with music, brew and a hot-dog eating contest. 

Tags: Fall Foliage,   parade,   

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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