Thank you for all your help with the 2022 inaugural parade!
The DoozyDo Parade could never have gone from a quirky idea to an actual event without the assistance of The Indispensables. So, special thanks to –
Kevin Russell, for his artistic eye, his indefatigable and expert web construction and, with Fiona Russell, for trusting us with their ward, Gertrude the Gargoyle. Kevin “got” the parade immediately and cheerfully put in months of work on the art and website. Ever Forward!
Diane Porcella, Director of Northampton Neighbors, the human Swiss Army knife, combining creative ideas about how to make the parade more inclusive and more fun with a well-stocked rolodex, diplomatic skills, and a willingness to cheerfully plug in pretty much anywhere else needed.
Todd Barron of Applied Mortgage, for his critical early support, sage advice, first-ever financial contribution to the parade (at the Supreme Doozy Donor level), careful transport of Gertrude to and from the parade, and for his buoyant ability to see obstacles as opportunities.
Debin Bruce who put in months of work to make sure that the parade would be not only fun but safe, who led us in the creation of a detailed safety plan, and who contributed in myriad other ways — among them, arranging for drone videography at the start of the parade…and, oh yeah, balloons!
George Kreibel, a Renaissance Man if there ever was one — sculptor and paper-mache wizard, faithful note-taker, gear-head and vehicle organizer, and supervisor of gargoyle transportation safety. Ready with clay, pen, drills and shims wherever necessary!
Thanks also to –
The DoozyDo Parade working group, each of whom, at one time or another, helped to make the parade a reality –
- Leigh Bailey (the First Believer)
- Katharine Baker
- Todd Barron
- Janet Bennett
- Marilyn Carey
- Kendra Dahlquist
- Ken Dym
- Denise Elliott
- Jane Fleishman
- Naomi Gerstel
- Jennifer Gottlieb
- Alicia Guidotti
- Ay Ling Han
- Susan Hawes
- Marcia Holden
- George Kreibel
- Patty Normand
- Diane Porcella
- Donna Salloom
- Suzanne Slater
- Debin Bruce
- Emily Weir
The Board of Northampton Neighbors, for believing in an offbeat project and supporting it all the way
The artists who together produced visual imagery for the parade’s website –
Dan Berger for his wonderfully drawn paraders, and
Dave Russo for the gracious gift of his imaginative Northampton street scenes
Kelsey Flynn, Bill Dwight and Dennis Lee for serving as our Grand-ish Marshals and Masters of Ceremonies
Lt. Alan Borowski, Sgt. Joseph Barszsc and Captain John Cartledge of the Northampton Police Department for help with planning, logistics and security
Vince Jackson, Exec. Dir., Jack Brown and Jessica Thompson of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce for promotional and financial support
Brian Foote and Steve Sanderson of the Northampton Arts Council for assistance in securing Pulaski Park
Tom McCabe for wise counsel, both visionary and specific, for offering to be a creative consultant and for being the first to sign up a team
Nina Kleinberg for bicycle-based event videography and for last-minute tech rescue services
Ruthy Woodring for safely and single-handedly hauling Gertrude the gargoyle from start to finish of the parade
Tracy Harrity, Executive Secretary in the Northampton Public School Central Office, for her kind and enthusiastic help distributing our DoozyDo school flyer to all principals and PTO reps who in turn informed the entire public-school community.
Russell J. McNiff, Sr., Past-President and -Grand Marshal of Holyoke’s St. Patrick Day Parade, for sharing his 50+ years of experience with the big picture and fine details of parade organizing
Mike Flynn, Brenda and Jim Ryan for sharing years of parade experience.
Melissa Dimetres, Events Coordinator for the Northampton Center for the Arts, for giving us a place to gather and step off at the start of the parade
Debra J’Anthony, Executive Director of the Academy of Music, for helping to make a post-parade gathering in Pulaski Park possible
Northampton Neighbors’ Communications Committee for heroic, detailed help with website construction and all aspects of publicity and the Development Committee for support in fundraising for the parade
George Kreibel and Claire Frierson for our astounding gargoyle mascot and much more
Tye Ouillette-Tolles, LPN, EMT, and Sarah Bachrach, PA, for on-scene emergency medical support
Shardoul Parma for helping our Grand-ish Marshals ride in style!
Anna Hoff (The Pride Event), Jennifer Therkelsen (The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts), Sarah Strong and, later, Natalie Ulrich (The Hot Chocolate Run) for generously answering our initial and ongoing questions about how to mount a large event
Paul Shoul for being ready with a camera and an expert eye whenever we needed them
Roger Salloom for contributing his sound equipment so our Grand-ish Marshals can be heard offering commentary on the parade
Noah and Ari Daube-Valois for their help with set-up and photography
Nanci Forrestall, Northampton’s Director of Parking, for helping us secure convenient parking for cars and floats in the Roundhouse Lot
James McDonald and Amy Johnquest for early input into design and gracious permission to use the idea of a friendly gargoyle in our artwork
A heartfelt Thanks to all,
Mark Karpel
“The Grand Fromage”
