The Drury High band won two trophies — Flaming Leaves and Band Front. See more photos here.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — 1Berkshire along with the city of North Adams presented the 64th annual Fall Foliage Festival Parade on Sunday, Oct. 6, to thousands of attendees from the Berkshires and beyond. This year's parade theme, "There's No Place Like Home in the Berkshires" was a festive theme that yielded some unique, creative floats and certainly brought out the child in all attendees.
With more than a dozen floats and talented musicians, the float and band judging proved to be more challenging than ever. The winners of these distinguished awards are as follows:
Float Award Winners
Harry S. Orr Award – First Baptist Church
Hayden Award – Greylock School PTG
Mayor's Award – Very Good Property Management
Grand Marshal Award – MountainOne
Parade Director's Award – Berkshire Dance Theatre
Band Winners
Flaming Leaves Trophy – Drury High School Band
Golden Harvest Trophy – Torrington High School Band
Band Front Trophy – Drury High School Band
Spirit Award – Hoosac Valley High School Band
Grand Marshal Dr. Len Radin set the tone for the parade when he invited a few Drury Drama Team alumni to "come home" and join him along the parade route. Radin was selected as grand marshal not only because of all he has done for the community, but for his enduring love for "The Wizard of Oz." Radin has spent more than 60 years in the theater business, including founding the nationally award-winning Drury Drama Team and serving as its volunteer director for more than 25 years.
The support and donations received by the businesses and the local community, allowed for 1Berkshire and the Fall Foliage Parade committee to put the event that kicks off the fall foliage season in the Berkshires.
The annual Fall Foliage Children's Parade also was once again a success with 123 children participating. Thanks to Greylock Federal Credit Union and Moresi & Associates for sponsoring this event. Judges and parade assistants were the Williams College Lacrosse team members, Bill Blackmer, Joanna Gallivan, and Justin Roughley
Individual Costume winners
1) Addison Malinowski, "Dorothy and Toto"
2) Nolan Wood, "Lolly Pop Munchkin"
2) Ramona Miksic, "Toto in a basket"
3) Andy Serna, "Berkshire Eagle newspaper boy"
Float Winners
1) "There's no place like home/Wizard of Oz"
Caden Peterson, Cody Peterson, Hunter Peterson, Amelia Peterson, Randy Chelstowski, and Alyssa Chelstowski, , Linley LaCasse, Carson LaCasse, Tucker Burke
2) "Coming Home"
Taia Byers, Evelyn Byers, Axton LaBonte
3) "Emerald City of Oz/Journey from Greylock to MoCA"
Emily Mills, Christian Kelsey, Aria Galambos, Addison Galambos, Lane Mills
Group Winners
1) "Drury's Munchkinland/ Lollypop Guild"
Quinelle Caproni, Sawyer Caproni, Lincoln Burdick, Veda Burdick
2) "Connie's Family Child Care – there's no place like 'our' home"
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
The home prior to renovations.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.
This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.
The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.
The house is listed for $359,500.
We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieriand Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.
Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.
What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?
Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.
Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.
Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.
Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.
Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?
Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.
Andrews: Built in about 1965.
What do the current owners love about this home?
Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.
Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
The city has lifted a boil water order — with several exceptions — that was issued late Monday morning following several water line breaks over the weekend. click for more
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation. click for more