[Forum] Fall Foliage Parade

[Brian Jewett]

I too like the idea of participating in the FF Parade. It's the only  
one I've seen but last falls parade was pretty pitiful. I think the  
arts community could turn the parade around and make it a really big  
event. I think this is an event where the creative community could  
pull together and really have a large impact. We could turn the  
parade into a really serious tourist draw instead of just an event to  
showcase the local school kids and fire department.

Another thought... If the groups Kurt mentioned were to make art cars  
instead of traditional floats they could also be used in other events  
all year long. No one could miss an opening at a gallery with half a  
dozen art cars parked in front!

Brian Jewett
Eclipse Mill

On Mar 6, 2007, at 12:15 PM, Kurt Kolok wrote:

> Veronica--I wholeheartedly agree with your idea re: the Fall  
> Foliage Parade.  As a former board member of the CAC (about 6/7  
> years ago) I tried to build support for that there and as a current  
> board member of NBCA have voiced that same idea for the last couple  
> of years.  Both times it came down to resources ($, volunteers,  
> time).  If the BCRC could be the organizing entity for something  
> like that it would be incredibly helpful.  At the very least, I  
> think the CAC, Eclipse Mill, NBCA, MoCA, should each have their own  
> float.  If BCRC could help raise funds from local sponsors (banks,  
> shops, chains, restaurants), collect a list of float-building  
> volunteers from the community (both arts and non-arts), act as a  
> collection hub for donated float materials and help organize  
> workdays I think we could build enough interest and support from at  
> least a couple of these organizations for this year.  I've been  
> telling people for years there is no reason the Fall Foliage Parade  
> can't be (and shouldn't be) North Adams' own mardi-gras when it  
> comes to extravagant floats/decorations.  We've got so many  
> talented artists here yet that's not typically reflected in the  
> parade floats.
>
> All of those organizations I listed are so focused on the goals/ 
> objectives of their own organizational needs that without a  
> "manager" helping with some of the high level tasks it's just too  
> much to ask.  Personally, I'd like to see the BCRC take on some of  
> these responsibilities and act as the driving force behind this and  
> other community activities/events.
>
>
>
> Veronica Bosley wrote:
>> I agree that although it would be nice to have someone like Megan  
>> working
>> for the art in North Adams or North County in general, but I am  
>> unsure of
>> the feasibility of this and think that if we as an arts community  
>> organize
>> around certain causes/projects we could also become very successful.
>>
>> I think that a great way to invlove the local commuity is by  
>> trying to tap
>> in to some of the long standing traditions here and carve out a  
>> space for
>> artists. One idea I had (although not being an artist I don't know  
>> exactly
>> how tihs idea will be received) was for artists to become more  
>> involved
>> with the Fall Foliage Parade by working with corporate sponsors to  
>> make
>> floats, design posters, ads, etc. surrounding this event.
>> As a native of the Berkshires I know that the parade has been a long
>> standing tradition that nearly everyone in the community attends.  
>> I also
>> know that the parade used to be a lot more fun and full of life,  
>> mostly
>> because there were more organizations around to promote it and  
>> make floats
>> for it. If the arts community could work together or maybe with local
>> businesses I think we could make direct positive contact with the
>> community through involvement with this event.
>>
>> I understand artists wanting to be able to do their own kind of  
>> artwork
>> only, but this would be a great way to market artists and get the
>> community interested and in support of area artists so that  
>> everyone can
>> ultimately "do their own thing".
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
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