Pittsfield Parade Theme Is 'On the Move'
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The theme, "On the Move," was selected from community submissions solicited by the Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Committee for its "Name The Theme" contest.
"On the Move" was suggested by Naomi K. Rauff of Dalton.
"Pittsfield is most certainly on the move in every area of its life," said Rauff. "Business development, leadership, going-green, a possible merging of the two high schools, the downtown, Berkshire Museum, theaters, galleries, you name it, even a new parade route around Park Square."
The all-volunteer members of the board and Parade Committee said the idea to let the community help decide the theme is something they had wanted to do for some time.
"As the winner of the theme contest, Rauff will have her choice of either receiving four seats on the reviewing stand or appearing as honored guests riding in the parade," treasurer and coordinator Peter Marchetti said.
The committee normally meets the fourth Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at Morningside School on Burbank Street, but this month's meeting will be Feb. 18.
Volunteers are needed to put on the parade; anyone interested in helping out is encouraged to attend the meeting.
"People tend to think this is a one-day event that comes and goes effortlessly," said Marchetti. "What they don't realize is how hard our volunteers work on a year round basis to help it run smoothly."
He said the staff of approximately 15 could use more helpers from the community. "We meet monthly and we hope that more people will take an interest in helping us bring this historic event to the city."
The parade dates back to 1824, when the procession consisted of Revolutionary War veterans, 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. It grew in size and popularity but was discontinued in 1976.
After a year with no parade, a small group of volunteers obtained $2,000 seed money from the city and held its first parade in 1978. The independent, nonprofit Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Committee Inc. has grown in size as has the parade.
The parade relies on volunteers and contributions. Send donations to Pittsfield Parade Committee Inc., P.O. Box 1738, Pittsfield MA 01202.
