Are We There Yet?: Fun on the Fourth

Get thee to a parade!

So it might rain a little. Who cares? It's Independence Day and it's un-American not to watch a parade. Your choices in the Berkshires: Pittsfield's amazing extravaganza at 10 a.m., a longer parade that marches up South Street, Bank Row, Park Place, North Street and Wahconah Street, or Williamstown's lovely little local affair at 11 a.m. on Southworth, Main and Spring streets (followed by the free community barbecue on the grounds of the Clark Art Institute, reopening Friday with a whole new look). 

Then there's the fun at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, featuring music, a community barbecue and the annual Reading of the Declaration of Independence by Company members and community guests. And, of course, baseball games will be played, followed by fireworks, in both Pittsfield and North Adams. And there will be still more fireworks in Williamstown to celebrate the reopening of the Clark and over Stockbridge Bowl in conjunction with James Taylor's (sold-out) show at Tanglewood.

Wherever you go, remember to drive safely.

For the rest of the weekend, continue the patriotic theme at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge on Saturday, July 5. The day begins at 11 a.m. with an apple pie bake-off, created by Berkshire bakeries and judged by Rockwell models; enjoy your own sample of pie, while supplies last. At noon, meet Massachusetts State Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli, who will talk about posing as a young “astronaut“ for Rockwell in 1969, and view the original space suit he wore for the session. 

And on Sunday, July 6, check out the return of "Summer Sundays in Williamstown," which offers art, activities and fun for the young and young at heart from 5 to 8 p.m. along Spring Street. Beginning at dusk, Images Cinema will present its free Family Flicks Under the Stars on the Morgan Lawn; this week's show is "A Hard Day's Night." And because of Thursday's storm, Mass MoCA's screening of "Apollo 13" at the Harriman-West Airport behind Stop & Shop in North Adams will instead be held Sunday at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $14 per car or $7 adults and $3 kids 16 and under. Gates, grills and bar open at 7 p.m.; no coolers are allowed.

Thursday's rain also postponed my hands-down most favorite summer event in the Berkshires: the Firefly Hike at Sheep Hill in Williamstown. The good news is I can mention it here and invite you to join me in this magical event, which (weather permitting) will be held at 8 p.m. next Thursday, July 10. The event includes the twilight hike across the meadows where fireflies will light the night, followed by s'mores around a campfire. Dear Mother Nature, please don't rain next Thursday!

Rebecca Dravis is the community editor at iBerkshires. She can be reached at rdravis@iberkshires.com.