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The annual Halloween Parade is set for Friday, Oct. 25, on Tyler Street.

Pittsfield Halloween Parade Returns with Hollywood Theme

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The city's historic Halloween parade rises from the dead this year with a Hollywood theme.

On Monday, the Department of Community Development Recreation Program announced that the "Spooky Hollywood" parade will be held on Friday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. on Tyler Street.

Aside from the usual ghouls, goblins, and superheroes, there will be an abundance of spooky pop culture icons. Think the Sanderson Sisters from "Hocus Pocus," Michael Myers from the "Halloween" franchise, or even Casper the Friendly Ghost.

"Participants are encouraged to base their float designs, decorations, and/or costumes around their favorite Halloween movie," the department wrote. "Every school and community/civic group is encouraged to participate in this great Pittsfield tradition."

This will be the 78th Halloween parade in the city. It was originally held on North Street and was moved to Tyler Street in 2011.  

Trick-or-treat is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. rain or shine. Participants are asked to leave their porch or exterior light on.

Every parade unit needs to review the application packet posted on the city website and a representative from interested parties must attend a float seminar on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. in Room 203 at City Hall.


The deadline for completed forms is Friday, Oct. 11.

A new participant meeting will also be held on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. in Room 203 at City Hall.

The popular event returned from a COVID-19 hiatus in 2022 and attracted about 5,000 people for the spooky procession and float contest.

In 2020, Pittsfield Community Television teamed up with the city's Recreation Program for a television event to air in place of the canceled parade. It aired "Haunted Streets: A Celebration of 25 Years of Halloween Parades" in place of live coverage and looked back at some of the best floats and moments of the past 25 years of PCTV's parade coverage.

In 2021, the city hosted virtual Halloween contests for costumes, pumpkin decorating, and home decorations.

For more information, contact the Department of Community Development at 413-499-9371 or parks@cityofpittsfield.org.

 


Tags: Halloween,   parade,   

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BVNA Nurses Raise Funds for Berkshire Bounty

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Nursing Association members of the Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association raised $650 to help with food insecurity in Berkshire County.
 
The nurses and health-care professionals of BVNA have given back to the community every holiday season for the last three years. The first year, they adopted a large family, raised money, bought, wrapped and delivered the gifts for the family. Last year, they sold raffle tickets and the money raised went to the charitable cause of the winner. 
 
This year, with food insecurity as a rising issue, they chose to give to Berkshire Bounty in Great Barrington.
 
They sold raffle tickets for a drawing to win one of two items: A lottery ticket tree or a gift certificate tree, each worth $100. They will be giving the organization the donation this month.
 
Berkshire Bounty seeks to improve food security in the county through food donations from retailers and local farms; supplemental purchases of healthy foods; distribution to food sites and home deliveries; and collaborating with partners to address emergencies and improve the food system. 
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