Ghouls, Goblins Turn Out for Pittsfield Halloween Parade
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Ghouls, goblins, and pop culture icons lined Tyler Street on Friday night for the city's annual Halloween Parade.
The "Spooky Hollywood" theme brought characters from "Ghostbusters," the "Wizard of Oz," and slasher icons. This was the 78th Halloween parade in the city and the last one led by Special Events Coordinator Maddy Brown, who will vacate the position next month.
"It's bittersweet. I've loved my time with the city and I couldn't be more grateful to everybody here," Brown said. "This was the first big event I did last year, ironically, it's my last now but I'm glad to be able to see it through."
Parade planning began at the end of summer and Downtown Pittsfield Inc. Executive Director Rebecca Brien was credited for helping to make it happen.
The event is a draw for Halloween lovers from all over the county, attracting about 5,000 people in 2022.
Participants included the City Council, Pittsfield Public Schools, some local businesses, and a group of local drag performers. There were 25 units in the procession.
Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey, and Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi dressed as characters from "Hocus Pocus." They incorporated a call to action into the group costume, pushing a recycling toter with a sign that read "Real witches recycle."
RSVP Director Lisa Torrey, Darin Torrey of the Highway Department, and Cultural Development Director Jennifer Glockner were among the float judges. They were tasked with ranking by theme, effort, originality, and costumes.
Glockner explained that she was looking for a "fun factor" in the winner.
Winners of the float contest were Capeless Elementary (Haunted Halloween, Allendale Elementary School (Coco!), and RSI Signs (Ghostbusters.)
The parade ran from the intersection of Tyler Street to the roundabout. Superintendent of Schools Joseph Curtis and Ellen Spear hosted Pittsfield Community Television's coverage of the event from the site of the former Hess Station.
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.
Tags: Halloween, parade,
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