Pittsfield Halloween Parade Attracts 5,000 Attendees

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  — The city's annual Halloween parade rose from the dead on Friday after a two-year absence.

Around 5,000 people lined Tyler Street to watch a procession of floats, schools, and other organizations dressed to the nine in their spookiest garb for the 76th parade.

There was undeniable excitement — and fright — in the air for the return of the event that fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

"This is one of our largest parades we have had in quite some time," Recreation & Special Events Coordinator Rebecca Manship said.

"We have a bunch of new participants, too, so that tells me that the community has missed this parade and is so excited that it's back."

See parade photos here.

Taconic High School won first place for its float titled "It’s a scary world out there without skills," which featured ghoulish creatures as various different tradespeople to represent the vocational school.

Allendale Elementary School came in second place with "Allendale's Dog House/101 Dalmatians,"  Capeless Elementary School third with its "Superheroes" float, Fran Morin Painting & Property Maintenance fourth with "Flying Hocus Pocus," and Carpenters Local 336 fifth with "Shot to the Moon: Captain Crook & Ghouls."

The five floats received awards ranging from $100 to $325 that were provided by Greylock Federal Credit Union.

Halloween parade coverage was co-hosted by Superintendent Joseph Curtis and Jody Spielmann of Pittsfield Community Television.

"I think it's critical because it’s been two years since we've had a Halloween parade," Curtis said.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.