1Berkshire Announces Float Winners of 69th Annual Fall Foliage Parade

NORTH ADAMS — The 69th annual Northern Berkshire Fall Foliage Parade, presented by 1Berkshire and the city of North Adams, took place on Oct. 5. This year’s theme was “To Northern Berkshire & Beyond,” described as “a spellbinding journey into the extraordinary, where dreams take flight and imagination knows no bounds.”

Grand Marshal Nick Mantello led the nearly 100 units in this festive event; which was attended by thousands of spectators from all over Berkshire county and beyond. The five float award winners were:

• Harry S. Orr Award (best overall): Studio North Dance Arts Inc. for its Star Wars-inspired float complete with the Death Star;

• Hayden Award (second place): North Adams Pride, which performed Elton John’s “Rocket Man”;

• Mayor’s Award (third place): Very Good, which celebrated the Tim Burton classic Mars Attacks!;

• Grand Marshal’s Award (fourth place): Wheeler & Taylor Inc. and its rocket ship; and

• Parade Director’s Award (fifth place): MASS MoCA, which welcomed “All Creatures.”

As the space flight landed at the parade’s finish line, committee members unveiled next year’s theme and date. On Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 at 1 p.m., the Fall Foliage Parade will celebrate its 70th anniversary with “70 Years in Motion: Time Traveling Through North Berkshire.”