Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Committee Annual Meeting
Final Push For “Name the Theme Contest” EntriesThe Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Committee is holding their annual meeting November 26, in Pittsfield at Morningside School beginning at 7:00 pm. The Board of Directors will elect officers and approve the budget for the 2009 parade.
The deadline to accept contest entries in the ‘Name the Theme Contest’ is November 25th. 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. 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, with the next meeting scheduled for January 28 at Morningside School on Burbank Street in Pittsfield. Marchetti said, “Anyone interested in volunteering in any capacity should plan to attend the next meeting.”
The parade committee estimated that about 100,000 people from all over the country come out to see the most anticipated event of the summer, Pittsfield's Independence Day celebration, The Grand Marshall for this year’s parade will be announced this spring.
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.
