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Fall Foliage Events, Parade Grand Marshal Announced

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Nick Mantello
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Nick Mantello, known for his photography, has been selected as the grand marshal for the upcoming 69th annual Fall Foliage Parade presented by 1Berkshire. 
 
The parade will step off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5, from Old State Street and march through downtown North Adams with the theme "To Northern Berkshire and Beyond!"
 
Mantello is a city native and a familiar sight taking pictures at community gatherings, including La Festa Baseball Exchange, SteepleCats games, the Downtown Celebration, the Eagle Street Beach Party, Winterfest, Motorama, Pop Cares' events, Neighborhood Night Out, and Trunk or Treat. From small neighborhood events to citywide celebrations, he has helped ensure that the stories of the North Berkshire community shine brightly for all to see. 
 
He is also known for his drone work with his partner in crime, "Larry the Drone," and serves as the official photographer for the North Adams Fire Department, posting his images on the North Adams 911 Facebook page. Mantello will be marching in this year's parade, drone in hand.
 
"I don't make any money from my photographs, but the compliments from members of the community are worth more than money," he said.
 
Fall Foliage Week kicked off with the annual Leaf Hunt and a barbecue and a Soapbox Derby race on Main Street. 
 
The Dog Costume Parade will be held on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 6 p.m. and is open to all pets and their owners and First Friday on Oct. 3 will carry the theme with gallery openings and an InsideOut Night Market on Holden Street, which will be closed off, and feature a large format projection art by Pamela Hersch after dark. 
 
The Mill Town Circus also opens on Friday night at Noel Field with "Tunnel & Balloon," inspired by the Hoosac Tunnel and the city's past history as a ballooning center. The show runs this weekend and through Indigenous Peoples/Columbus Day.
 
The Children's Parade and Fair will again be held at Noel Field, with the parade beginning at 10 am. and races at noon. It will include booths by local organizations, music, games giveaways and activities. 
 
The annual Fall Foliage 5K starts at noon on Sunday at Ashland and Main Street. Register here
 
There is still time to participate in this year's parade, including entering a float, a band/music unit, or a marching unit. Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help on parade day with the lineup or as a banner carrier. Lastly, sponsorship of the parade is also appreciated.
 
Note that Curran Highway will be closed from Pedrin's to Main Street and parts of the downtown including Ashland Street beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday. 
 
 For more information, visit 1Berkshire.com.
 

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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