The Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Festival Parade, in North Adams, can trace its roots back to 1947. But it wasn't until 1956 that it became part of a fall promotion program spearheaded by the North Adams Chamber of Commerce (later the Northern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and now, 1Berkshire). It became a weeklong celebration in 1958 under the auspices of "Mr. Fall Foliage" Harry S. Orr. Over the last six decades, Fall Foliage Festival events have included a carnival, a circus, a queen and court, a fashion show, races and more. And, the parade has only been canceled twice — once in 1987 from a snowstorm and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Mr. Fall Foliage" Harry S. Orr is photographed during the Oct. 1963 parade in North Adams.
"Mr. Fall Foliage" Harry S. Orr is photographed during the Oct. 1963 parade in North Adams.
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Congressman Silvio O. Conte grabs a drink at a NASC frat house.
Congressman Silvio O. Conte grabs a drink at a NASC frat house during the Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade in 1975 in North Adams.
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I949 Fall Foliage Parade Queen.
In 1949, Miss Peggy Galipeau was voted the Fall Foliage Parade Queen. Her court included Miss Marianne Siciliano, Miss Katherine Haumuller, Miss Barbara Milanesi, Mrs. June Pringle, Miss Shirley Button and Miss Norma Prince.
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Drury High School cheerleaders, 1983.
Drury High School cheerleaders occasion a cheer for themselves during the Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade on Oct. 3, 1983.
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Fall Foliage Festival 1990.
Fall Foliage Festival 1990.
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1950 Fall Foliage Festival queen and six attendants.
North Adams Chamber of Commerce's 1950 Fall Foliage Festival queen and six attendants. Mrs. Monica Brent, blonde, 22-year-old queen occupies the throne in the center.Her court includes Miss Barbara Milanesi, Mrs. Theresa Beauchamp, Miss Katherine Haumuller, Miss Norma Prince, Miss Mary Gaffey and Miss Florence Hannaleck. Oct. 9, 1950. Photo taken on the corner of Main and Marshall streets.
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1970 Fall Foliage Children's Parade
Obviously having a good time even though still earthbound were these youngsters, whose float took fifth places in the Fall Foliage Festival Children's Parade. They are Jane and Pamela Casey; Cathy and Michelle Kanelos, John LaBonte, Robin Davis and Nancy Dunn (pulling the float). Sept. 21, 1970.
Fall Foliage Parade Grand Marshals Chester H. and Margaret Lanoue. Oct. 3, 1977.
Fall Foliage Parade Grand Marshals Chester H. and Margaret Lanoue. Oct. 3, 1977.
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Longtime North Adams Transcript photographer Randy Trabold was the Grand Marshal of the Fall Foliage Festival Parade in 1971.
Longtime North Adams Transcript photographer Randy Trabold was the Grand Marshal of the Fall Foliage Festival Parade in 1971.
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Children's Parade Winners for Best Costume 1990
Children's Parade Winners for Best Costume (first place): Front row: Corinne and Candice Beauchemin, Kristin Harris, and Crystal Beauchemin, Rear: Charles and Christopher Beauchemin. Sept. 27, 1990.
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Members of the Adams Alert Hose Co. march in the Oct. 1977 Fall Foliage Parade.
Members of the Adams Alert Hose Co. march in the Oct. 1977 Fall Foliage Parade.
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Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade, 1979.
Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade, North Adams, Oct. 1, 1979.
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One of 20 floats provided by George J. Bisacca of Eastover Resort.
One of 20 floats provided by George J. Bisacca of Eastover Resort. The floats, provided to the Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Festival Parade without cost, appeared in the 1975 parade.
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Riding high above the crowd lining Main Street.
Riding high above the crowd lining Main Street in North Adams, these youngsters take in the view of the Fall Foliage Festival Parade from the top of a North Adams Fire Truck. Oct. 4, 1982.
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The Budweiser Clydesdales bring up the rear of the 1973 Fall Foliage Parade.
The Budweiser Clydesdales bring up the rear of the Oct. 1973 Fall Foliage Parade. The wagon weighed 3 1/2 tons and each horse weighs approximately 2,300 pounds The team's harness for the team is worth close to $30,000. Spectators swarmed out onto the route for a closer view.
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The Drury Marching Band as seen from above Main Street, Oct. 1974.
The Drury Marching Band as seen from above Main Street during the Oct. 1974 Fall Foliage Parade. The Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Carnival can be seen in the background.
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The Mary Poppins Float took the Queen's Award during the October 1977 Fall Foliage Parade.
The Mary Poppins Float took the Queen's Award during the October 1977 Fall Foliage Parade.
Sullivan School kindergarten student Joseph Lesure tries to scare his classmates during a class parade. Oct. 31, 1991.
Sullivan School kindergarten student Joseph Lesure tries to scare his classmates during a class parade. Oct. 31, 1991.
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The Rev. L. H. Sprague was the grand marshal of the Fall Foliage Parade in October 1975.
The Rev. L. H. Sprague was the grand marshal of the Fall Foliage Parade in October 1975.
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A float featuring the Quaker Meeting House took home a prizes form the Fall Foliage Festival's Children's Parade in 1978.
A float featuring the Quaker Meeting House took home a prizes form the Fall Foliage Festival's Children's Parade in 1978.
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At last, a winner! A prize is exchanged for the clue (a giant tire) as part of the Fall Foliage Festival's Phantom Leaf Hunt.
At last, a winner! A prize is exchanged for the clue (a giant tire) as part of the Fall Foliage Festival's Phantom Leaf Hunt.
Our photos make great mementos and gifts. Visit our Smugmug gallery to purchase reproductions of these photos in a variety of formats.
Boy Scouts from Troop 104 display a float featuring the Hoosac Tunnel made ahead of the Fall Foliage Parade. July 1973.
Boy Scouts from Troop 104 display a float featuring the Hoosac Tunnel made ahead of the Fall Foliage Parade. July 1973.
Our photos make great mementos and gifts. Visit our Smugmug gallery to purchase reproductions of these photos in a variety of formats.
Carl Jenkins leads the Drury High School marching band in the Fall Foliage Parade. Date unknown.
Carl Jenkins leads the Drury High School marching band in the Fall Foliage Parade. Date unknown.
Our photos make great mementos and gifts. Visit our Smugmug gallery to purchase reproductions of these photos in a variety of formats.
Sleeping Beauty
Erin Pinckney, daughter of Cody and Beth, appears in the Williamstown Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 1990.
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Fall Foliage Festival 1983.
Fall Foliage Festival 1983.
Our photos make great mementos and gifts. Visit our Smugmug gallery to purchase reproductions of these photos in a variety of formats.
1971 Fall Foliage Festival dribble balloon race
New activity in the Fall Foliage Festival this year was the dribble balloon race in which area Lions Clubs participated. The winner, from Clarksburg, is show crossing the finish line. Sept. 27, 1971.
Our photos make great mementos and gifts. Visit our Smugmug gallery to purchase reproductions of these photos in a variety of formats.
1971 Fall Foliage Queen contestants
1971 Fall Foliage Queen contestants: Lynn Jurczyk, Adams; Jeanne Belfield, Pittsfield; Mary Jane Comai, Monroe Bridge; Leah LeSage, North Adams; Helen Braman, North Adams; Patricia Wilk, North Adams; Donna Aubin, North Adams; Barbara LaPierre, Ware; Sherrie Crow, Cummington; Debra LeFebvre, Northamptons, Nancy Rynan, Medway and Carolyn LaBonte, Adams. Nancy Ryan was named queen.
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Heather Bushika rides the ferris wheel at the Fall Foliage Festival Carnival in 1980.
Heather Bushika rides the ferris wheel at the Fall Foliage Festival Carnival in 1980.
Our photos make great mementos and gifts. Visit our Smugmug gallery to purchase reproductions of these photos in a variety of formats.
Members of the 1971 Fall Foliage Festival Fashion Show Committee
Members of the 1971 Fall Foliage Festival Fashion Show Committee are Mrs. William J. Judge; Mrs. Donald Thurston; Mrs. John Buoni; Mrs. David L. Dickey and Mrs. Robert I. Manuel.
Onlookers: A group of boys watch as the Fall Foliage Festival carnival is put up in 1973.
Onlookers: A group of boys watch as the Fall Foliage Festival carnival is put up in 1973.
Our photos make great mementos and gifts. Visit our Smugmug gallery to purchase reproductions of these photos in a variety of formats.
Sarah Boucher dressed as a firecracker for the Fall Foliage Children's Parade in October 1985.
Sarah Boucher dressed as a firecracker for the Fall Foliage Children's Parade in October 1985.
Our photos make great mementos and gifts. Visit our Smugmug gallery to purchase reproductions of these photos in a variety of formats.
The 1951 Fall Foliage Festival queen candidates.
The 1951 Fall Foliage Festival queen candidates: Helen Hunter, Shelia Cahoon, Barbara Milanesi, Angela Puccio, Mrs. Russell Davies, Doris Hartman and Mrs. Stathes G. Maniatty. Helen Hunter was named queen.
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The Beatles took third place in the 1970 Fall Foliage Festival's children's parade.
The Beatles - Lisa Bedard, Sally Hitchcock, Lorene March and Lori Ellsworth took third place in the Fall Foliage Festival's children's parade. Sept. 21, 1970.
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The Christmas Brook Skating Club took the Grand Marshal's Award in the 1985 Fall Foliage Parade Float Competition.
The Christmas Brook Skating Club took the Grand Marshal's Award in the 1985 Fall Foliage Parade Float Competition.
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The float that almost made the parade.
The Berkshire County Line Dancers assembled for a brief picture on their float that almost made the parade. The 1987 parade was postponed due to snowfall. But the parade was eventually canceled.
The mass start of more than 250 runners.
The mass start of more than 250 runners was at North Adams City Hall on Sunday for the Fall Foliage Festival Road Race. A 2.5-mile and a 10.3-mile race were held.
Our photos make great mementos and gifts. Visit our Smugmug gallery to purchase reproductions of these photos in a variety of formats.
The Massachusetts National Guard marches in the 1963 Fall Foliage Parade. The parade was the first in its eight year history to not carry rain insurance. It rained nearly 2 inches during the parade.
The Massachusetts National Guard marches in the 1963 Fall Foliage Parade. The parade was the first in its eight-year history to not carry rain insurance. It rained nearly 2 inches during the parade.
Our photos make great mementos and gifts. Visit our Smugmug gallery to purchase reproductions of these photos in a variety of formats.
North Adams Mayor Joseph Bianco in his car during the 1971 Fall Foliage Parade.
Updated
North Adams Mayor Joseph Bianco in his car during the 1971 Fall Foliage Parade.
Jennifer Huberdeau
Features Editor
Jennifer Huberdeau is The Eagle's features editor. Prior to The Eagle, she worked at The North Adams Transcript. She is a 2021 Rabkin Award Winner, 2020 New England First Amendment Institute Fellow and a 2010 BCBS Health Care Fellow.
More information
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Concerned that the Fall Foliage Parade might not return after being canceled by pandemic safety protocols in 2020, a core group of volunteers rallied together to ensure the beloved North Berkshire tradition would not only continue, but that it also would have a few floats in it.