Up Front for DeMar Race Nov. 10

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The Up Front for DeMar 5-kilometer race and 1-mile walk is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 10, at 9 a.m.
 
The annual event honors SPC Michael R. DeMarsico, age 20, who volunteered to be "up front"', taking the lead of his battalion, protecting them and searching for dangerous IEDs. He lost his life in Afghanistan on Aug. 16, 2012. 
 
Pre-registered runners or walkers will have a $20 registration fee. Day of event registration will be available at the starting line area from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and will be $25. Organizers also ask that participants please bring an item or items for care packages to be sent to deployed service men and women. 
 
The starting line is at the Veteran's Memorial at the intersection of Route 2 and Eagle Street. Runners will continue to Eagle Street, crossing Main Street and continuing onto Ashland Street. Walkers will turn around at the North Adams Armory and runners will continue on Ashland Street to South Church Street.
 
Runners will turn into the BFAIR parking lot at 771 South Church St., continue to the back of the lot where the water table is and then back out to exit, turning left onto South Church Street. Runners and walkers will follow Ashland Street and then turn left onto American Legion Drive. The race will finish at the American Legion. The course is a primarily open course with some police presence. Please be cautious of vehicles on the course.
 
Race packet pickup will be available on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the North Adams American Legion.
 
Shirts will be available to the first 100 registrants. Additional shirts may be available for purchase.
 
Registration is available here.
 
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Mill Town Circus Highlights North Adams History for Fall Foliage

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

Carlo Pellegrini takes on the role of ringmaster, storyteller and mill boss as North Adams' history is revealed through acrobatics. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The circus has come to town for this year's Fall Foliage Festival.
 
In line with this year's parade theme of Berk du Soleil, Mill Town Circus's bright yellow and blue tent went up this week at Noel Field Athletic Complex and will open on Friday night with a 90-minute production inspired by the city's manufacturing history. The performances will run this weekend and next. 
 
Ringmaster and storyteller Carlo Pellegrini and Hilary Sweeney, founder of Westchester Circus Arts, are promising innovative and acrobatic performances by talented and experienced artists from circuses including Cirque du Soleil and from Ringling Brothers.
 
"These are the people that like, make it all happen. We wear so many hats," Sweeney said of the half-dozen or so crew who pitched in to put up the tent and take on other duties. "They're multi-talented performers.
 
Mayor Jennifer Macksey said the hope is that this will become an annual event that will provide something new and exciting for Fall Foliage. 
 
The couple moved to the Berkshires five years ago, purchasing a home and few acres on Florida Mountain (Pellegrini says he loves snow and plowing). During the summer, they run circus camps in New York State. 
 
Pellegrini's been in the business close to 50 years as a clown, juggler and ringmaster and Sweeney, who also has a background in ballet, has been an aerialist for nearly 20 years. She founded Westchester Circus Arts in 2012.
 
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