Pittsfield Halloween Parade Calls for Participants and Volunteers

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Department of Community Development Recreation Program has announced its 80th annual Halloween Parade, which will be held on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. on Tyler Street.

The Parks and Recreation team is seeking floats, marchers, bands, and volunteers to participate in this annual tradition.

This year's parade theme is "Futuristic Frights: The Next 80 Years" and participants are encouraged to imagine what Halloween, and the world, might look like 80 years from now.

According to a press release: Instead of traditional ghosts, witches and vampires, participants are encouraged to envision how future technology, science, climate or society could transform what we find scary or mysterious. Think robots and aliens, flying cars and floating buildings, holographic costumes, glowing light displays and more. It will be a celebration of Halloween that meets science fiction, where participants can bring their wildest visions of the future to life.

Every 'unit' will need to review the Halloween Parade application packet and complete all applicable forms. The application packet is available through the Parks & Recreation page on the city's website under the Halloween tab (www.pittsfieldma.gov/590/Halloween). The deadline for completed forms is Friday, Oct. 9.

There will be one float seminar held on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. in Room 203 of City Hall, 70 Allen St. for those who are interested in or planning to have a float. If your organization or school would like to have a float in the parade, a representative must attend the seminar.

New participants of the parade are required to attend the new participant meeting which will be held on Monday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m. in Room 203 of City Hall. Schools, local businesses, organizations, and community/civic groups are encouraged to participate in the parade.

The Pittsfield Halloween Parade is also seeking volunteers who can assist with setting up staging areas, direct floats and marchers, oversee the parade's disband area, judge floats for prizes and more.

For further information about participating or volunteering, please contact Jennifer VanBramer, recreation & special events coordinator, at 413-499-9371 or jvanbramer@pittsfieldma.gov.

 


Tags: Halloween,   parade,   

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Companion Corner: Dolly at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There is an affectionate kitty at Berkshire Humane Society looking for a new home.

Dolly is a 1-year-old domestic shorthair with white and tabby markings who has been at the shelter for a short amount of time.

Feline/small animal adoption counselor Alyssa Petell introduced us to her.

"Her name was actually inspired off of Dolly Parton because she came in on the day that Dolly Parton passed away," she said. 

The shelter doesn't have a lot of information on Dolly as she was a stray, but knows she is very sweet.

"She was originally found as a stray. So we don't have much background information as to exactly what happened and why she ended up becoming a stray," Petell said. "Unfortunately, a lot of times kitties will become abandoned and become strays or get left behind."

Dolly needs a home with no other cats and will prefer somewhere quiet because she can get a little shy and nervous at times.

"She doesn't like other cats. I think a quiet home, older people would be best for her, just because of her shy personality in the beginning," Petell said. "But she eventually will warm up, and she is a lovely lady."

Dolly loves to be pet and might even play with some feather toys. Like any other cat, she will let you know when she has had enough pets but will be back for more shortly after.

"She loves butt scratches. She's super affectionate. She actually does have a little bit of a playful side when she gets used to you, and she just wants to snuggle with you and be loved on all day long," said Petell.

Dolly is healthy and will join your family up to date with all of her vaccines.

"She doesn't have any health issues. She is spayed, and when you adopt a kitty from our shelter, the adoption fee does include everything medically wise. So their spay or neuter, their vaccines, their health certificate from the vet, everything is included. So she will have all of that done before she goes," she said.

One of her ears is clipped to show she has been spayed as she was a part of the Community Cat Program, but since she was so friendly, the Humane Society decided to adopt her out.

"She was originally caught as a stray from our community cat program. They normally work with trap, neuter, return for feral, semi-feral cats, or friendly strays, and when she was caught, they realized that she was very friendly, and she was then brought into our shelter so we could adopt her out," Petell said.

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