PITTSFIELD - The Pittsfield Parade Committee has announced that the 2008 Fourth of July Parade theme will be "A World of Music." The theme was selected at the annual meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 28.
Committee coordinator Peter Marchetti said, "We decided to go with a theme that would celebrate the wonderful, diverse cultures present here in the Berkshires. We are thinking that various ethnic groups could sponsor a float featuring music from their native country."
Marchetti added, "With both Barrington Stage and Colonial theater offering musical productions this year, it would be a perfect opportunity to create festive floats for this year's parade."
Also at the annual meeting, Vice President Jeffrey Hunt was elected to a two-year term, Marchetti was elected to a one-year term as treasurer and appointed to a one-year term as coordinator. The following were elected to the board of directors for three-year terms: Nancy Battaini, Besty Bean, Colleen Donahue, Lew Markham and Ken Wheeler. Ellie Persip was elected for a two year-term.
Committee President Betsy Bean said, "It is always exciting to get things moving for next year’s parade during the annual meeting. The excitement is already building as we anticipate a warm Fourth of July."
Parade applications are available online and will be mailed in mid-February. The honorary grand marshall will be announced in May or June.
The parade has an historic reputation dating back to 1824, when the procession consisted of Revolutionary War survivors, patriots, politicians and horse-drawn carriages. The parade was held off and on by various citizen groups until 1947, when it was taken over by the Pittsfield Permanent Firemen's Association. Under the firefighters, the parade grew in size and popularity but was discontinued in 1976.
After a 1977 with no parade, a small group of volunteer citizens obtained $2,000 seed money from the city and held their first parade in 1978. Over the years, this independent, nonprofit organization - the Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Committee, Inc. - has grown and with it, the parade has grown in size and popularity. Send donations to Pittsfield Parade Committee Inc., PO Box 1738, Pittsfield MA 01202. Visit www.pittsfieldparade.com for more information.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant
Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building.
"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu.
A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building.
White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.
He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns.
Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot.
A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use.
Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building.
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