Help Determine the Theme of the Pittsfield 4th of July Parade
Parade Theme Winner Determined During Annual Meeting November 26thThe Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Committee announced plans to hold a parade theme contest for the 2009 parade.
The all-volunteer Board and Parade Committee said the idea to let the community help decide the theme, is something they have wanted to do for some time. Parade committee treasurer/coordinator, Peter Marchetti said, “The parade has been known as Our Home Town parade for years. By letting our community choose the theme we can proudly showcase that home town feeling.”
Marchetti said, “We will be evaluating parade theme ideas at our annual meeting on November 26th. The winner of the theme contest will have their choice of either receiving 4 seats on the reviewing stand or appearing as honored guests riding in the parade.”
Contestants may enter online at pittsfieldparade.com or pick up entry forms at City Hall in Pittsfield. The deadline for entry is November 25. Recent themes include: Celebrate America, At Home in the Berkshires, Moments To Remember, and A World of Music.
The parade committee meets the fourth Wednesday of every month beginning in January 2009. The annual meeting will be held November 26, 2008 at 7:00 pm, at Morningside School on Burbank Street in Pittsfield.
The Pittsfield 4th of July 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 firemen, the parade grew in size and popularity but was discontinued in 1976.
After a bleak 1977 with no parade, a small group of volunteer citizens obtained $2,000 seed money from the City of Pittsfield and held their first parade in 1978. Over the years, this independent, non-profit organization -- the Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Committee, Inc. -- has grown in size, spirit, and determination, and with it, the parade has grown in size, quality, and popularity. Please send donations to Pittsfield Parade Committee Inc, PO Box 1738, Pittsfield MA 01202 Visit the website at www.pittsfieldparade.com.
