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Taconic High School's "A World Without Skills" was the winning float in the annual Halloween parade.

Pittsfield Halloween Parade Attracts 5,000 Attendees

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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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.



"And it's always been a great occasion for our entire community, including our school community, to get out and really rally together as school teams and celebrate not only Halloween but a great community event."

He said the district was buzzing with excitement leading up to the parade. Students had been coordinating their contributions to the procession for about a month.

"We are so excited that the parade is back and live," Spielmann said. "We have not been able to cover this parade since 2019 so we could not wait to get out here and get right back in the thick of things"

She said PCTV loves to partner with the city and provide coverage to the community for people at home who couldn’t be there.  

"It’s really great to see the spirit and energy is still alive," she added.


 


Tags: Halloween,   parade,   

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Companion Corner: Cookie at No Paws Left Behind

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — There's an adventurous cat at No Paws Left Behind looking for his forever home.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Cookie is a six year old grey and white domestic shorthair who has been at the shelter for a couple of months.

The shelter's Executive Director Noelle Howland introduced us to him.

"He came in, actually, with a couple other cats. It was just due to having too many cats in a house, and he came in with, we believe he might be like the father to the others. The others all were adopted over the last couple weeks, so he's the last one still here."

Cookie is a very friendly cat and he is always interested in the other cats to play or hang out. He can do well with other animals and any age but don't let his age fool you as he is still very active and very outgoing.

"He does well with other cats, he would do fine with being at home with dogs, kids. I know, like some people like seeing, a six year old cat you would think he may be not as active, but he is very active, outgoing, vocal. So, I think if you were somebody that was looking for a cat that was active and had a personality that I feel like he'd greet you at the door. He lets you know when he wants food. Really, he can go home with anything, as long as you want a cat that will let you know he's there, he'd be great."

He is quite adventurous as well. He enjoys climbing and exploring around his space. While he may be a bit shy to newcomers at first once he gets to know you he will talk to you and want to play.

"He likes to explore up high, so I think if you had a tall cat tower or windows for him to explore, he would love that, because he always is trying to get up high and get on the cabinets to see what's up there. There's not much he doesn't like, and then he can be a little like shy at first with new people, where he'll kind of go up to you and then walk away, but once he trusts you and is used to you, he's the easiest going social cat," she said.

Cookie does have a bit of a sensitive stomach and would be better if he has certain foods.

"We've tried a lamb or turkey food, and he's had a sensitivity to that, so we've been having him on just salmon and rice food, and he's been perfectly fine, no issues. So, otherwise, aside from the sensitivity, he's perfectly healthy and normal."

Cookie is waiting to be your next family member, if you want someone to talk to and lounge around with this is your boy.

"I really just think if you're looking for a social cat, he's going to be a great companion for somebody. I don't think it matters if you're… it doesn't matter your age. I think he would be happy to just have somebody keep him company and give him attention," she said.

If you think Cookie is your next companion be sure to fill out the form on their website and email or drop it off to No Paws Left Behind today.

 
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