Northern Berkshire Children's Parade Winners Announced

Print Story | Email Story
More photos from the parade can be found here.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The annual Children's Parade marched down Main Street on Friday evening featuring costumes and floats recalling the Fall Foliage Parade's 60 years of history.

Monsters, superheroes, soldiers, fairies and nursery rhymes were among the many participants. Two groups even copied costumes that had been worn by parents and relatives in past parades.

The Drury High School band and SteepleCats' mascot Slider led the 89 children, accompanied by parents, to City Hall along with a North Adams Police escort.

Help with registration, organization and judging was provided by: Dale Waterman, Amanda Chilson, Fran Berasi, Mohawk Forest teen leader Gio Santelli, and MCLA volunteers Matt Costa and Kircys Cane. The gift certificates for all nine winners were provided by Persnickity Toys and Antionette Cariddi of the former Cariddi Sales, ensuring every child who participated also received a prize.

Winners in the following categories were:

Floats
1st: The Peanuts Gang (Snoopy and Friends): Avah DeBenedetto, Jack Tanner, Lennon Kirby, Kenley McConnell, Sophia Piantoni, James Lovett
2nd: North Adams Ambulance, the Meaney Family: Andrew Meaney, Abigail Meaney, Natalie Meaney


3rd: Ice Palace from Frozen with Elsa, Olaf and Knight ("Tribute to Walt Disney 1967): Carmela Reynolds, Wyatt Reynolds

Group
1st: Susan's Day Care, "Flashback to 1983" (when parents of some of the kids were in the parade): Katherine Richardson, Evelyn Richardson, Thomas Richardson, Madison Saunders, Cameron Saunders, Ava Griffith
2nd: The Family Center of Northern Berkshire, Community Helpers: Jaydon Dimitropolis, Chloe Dimitropolis, Leila Millard, Owen Poirer, Estelle Klein
3rd: "Toys on Parade 2012":  Race Chilson, Abby Moulton, Weston Moulton

Individual Costumes
1st: Civil Soldier with American Flag: Andrew Daniels
2nd: Hockey Player: Jack George
3rd: Owl of the Berkshires: Ayden Duncan


Tags: Fall Foliage,   parade,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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. 

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories