Fall Foliage Festival In Full SwingBy Susan Bush
12:00AM / Wednesday, September 27, 2006
 | | High school marching bands are part of the Oct. 1 Fall Foliage Parade line-up.[2005 photo] |
North Adams - The 51st Fall Foliage Festival will host it's grand finale with an Oct. 1 traditional, extravagant parade and the preceding dates are loaded with events and activities.
Oct. 1 Parade
The Oct. 1 parade is scheduled to step off from the Wal-Mart parking lot at 1 p.m.. Marching bands, floats, performers, clowns, and dignitaries will be led by this year's Grand Marshall state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley D-North Adams. The parade route travels north along Curran Highway and State Street, east along Main Street, and south along Ashland Street. The parade is expected to conclude near the Ashland Street senior citizen housing complex.
Included in the parade is a REACH Community Health Foundation/American Cancer Society "Paint The Town Pink" event. Breast cancer survivors and those who advocate for a cancer cure are expected to march in the parade dressed in pink t-shirts. Anyone who wishes to join the pink-garbed contingent is welcome to do so; the first 50 walkers to register will be given free t-shirts. Those who register to walk before noon on Fri., Sept. 29, will be provided with a lunch on parade day. Placards will be available on the morning of the parade so that walkers may designate their shirts in honor of those affected by breast cancer.
Floats are popular parade highlights.[2005 photo] |
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Those interested in "Paint The Town Pink" registration should call REACH Outreach and Communications Director Sharon Leary at 413-664-5404.
Some Sept.30 Events
The downtown will be alive with art on Sat. Sept. 30 as the third Autumn Arts Festival gets underway along Main Street's north side.
The art show begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.. Regional artists plan to exhibit and sell paintings, photography, illustrations, hand-crafted jewelry, ceramics, wearable fabrics, and other items.
Downtown merchants are welcome to set up shop on the sidewalk for the day as well. The art exhibit showcases the number of Northern Berkshire-based artists and their diverse mediums.
At 10 a.m. on Sept. 30, Deacon Frank Ryan is scheduled to host a yearly "Blessing of the Animals" at the main lawn of the St. Anthony of Pauda Church. The blessing is held to honor St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of all animals. Children and adults are invited to bring live or stuffed animals to the event to receive a special blessing. The church is on Marshall Street across from the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.
Lots of energy is shown on the parade route.[2005 photo] |
Also on Saturday, Tom Stefanik plans to host a basic beekeeping education session at the Natural bridge State Park. The park charges a $2 parking fee. The Natural Bridge State Park is located on McCauley Road, which is accessible via Route 8 [Beaver Street]in North Adams.
Children's Parade Sept. 29
The popular Children's Parade is set for Fri., Sept. 29. The parade is expected to kick off at 5:30 p.m.. Participants are asked to arrive at Eagle Street by 5 p.m. for the line-up. Children will march along Main Street to City Hall. Trophies are to be presented for "Best Group Working Together," "Best Overall Costume," and "Most Imaginative Float or decorated Vehicle."
The Sept. 28 Children's Parade is a popular festival event. [2005 Children's Parade photo] |
All three first place winners are invited to march during the Oct. 1 parade. The Children's Parade is open to children up to and including the eighth grade. Additional information is available by calling Kathy Keeser at 413-663-7588.
Dressage
On Friday evening September 29th at 7p.m. and again on Saturday afternoon September 30th at 2 p.m., the public is cordially invited to attend an equestrian event that will take the spectator from the history of the battlefield warhorse to today's competitive dressage horse.
The event is being held on the Municipal Softball Field, in the Joe Wolfe Athletic Complex on State Street, Route 8 in North Adams.
Recognized by the United States Dressage Federation, a gold medalist offers up her time to present this free, entertaining, and educational family event to benefit the Eileen Barrett Cancer Foundation.
Volunteers will be located at tables to accept free – will donations for the cancer unit at North Adams Regional Hospital. The event will last approximately 90 minutes. Limited bleacher seating is available, so the public is advised to arrive early to get a seat, or to bring a lawn chair for their comfort.
The equestrian event is a new, one time addition to the annual Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Festival and the public is urged not to miss this event. For information, call the Mayor’s Office of Tourism in North Adams at 413-664-6180 or tourism@northadams-ma.gov
Gallery 51 Sept. 28
The MCLA Gallery 51 is planning a public reception on Thursday, Sept. 28 beginning at 5:30 p.m.. The reception marks the opening of a seven-artist show at the 51 Main Street gallery. Artists include Kay Canavino, Jane Catlin, Martinho Correira, Barry Goldstein, Kevin Grass, and Gregory Scheckler.
Gallery 51 hours are Wed. -Sat. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Additional information about Gallery 51 is available by calling 413-664-8717. |
