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‘Today’ show features ‘charming, magical’ Main Street in Stockbridge
The Berkshires community was featured on the show's "Merriest Main Street" segment.
One of the most festive Main Streets in America is in Massachusetts, according to the “Today” show, which gave America a first-hand look of the famous street on Friday morning.
NBC10 Boston’s Priscilla Casper led the coverage for a “Today” show series called “Merriest Main Street,” her “Today” show debut, she posted on Instagram.
“We love shining a light on towns that are full of the holiday spirit,” said “Today” host Carson Daly. “We are kicking things off today in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.”
Casper stood before the historic Red Lion Inn, surrounded by local residents.
“Talk about being in a Hallmark movie,” Casper said. “The only thing we’re missing is the snow.”
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Casper pointed out that the “charming, magical town” is featured in Norman Rockwell’s famous 1967 painting “Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas (Home for Christmas).” The town will reenact the painting on Sunday during its 35th annual Main Street at Christmas celebration.
Main Street in Stockbridge has come to symbolize Christmas in America, Casper said.
“I think because Rockwell lived and worked right here, right around the corner for the last 25 years of his life,” Margit Hotchkiss, the Norman Rockwell Museum’s chief marketing officer, told Casper. “He was inspired by this beautiful town, its small-town America charm and the lovely buildings we see behind us — the Red Lion Inn and the library and the banks. It’s just magical.”
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Kate Maguire, the Berkshire Theatre Group’s CEO and artistic director, called Stockbridge’s Main Street “a winter wonderland.”
“This is the heartbeat of the Berkshires: Stockbridge,” Maguire told Casper.
“A Christmas Carol” opens Friday night at Berkshire Theatre Group’s Unicorn Theatre, Maguire said, and there are plenty of other holiday attractions. She noted the nearby Winter Lights at Naumkeag and holiday tours at Chesterwood. And, of course, there’s the Norman Rockwell Museum, which she called “majestic and wonderful.”
During the “Today” show, Santa and Mrs. Claus waved from a red vintage car parked before the Red Lion Inn with a Christmas tree strapped to its roof — a nod to Rockwell’s painting. Casper did a local news segment from the front seat of the car before the “Today” show aired.
“Thanks to you and all of our friends at NBC10 Boston for helping out,” Daly said to Casper after the “Today” show segment. “That was cool. That was one of our better ones there.”
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