Pittsfield's Historic 4th of July Parade to Return

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After a two-year hiatus, the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade will return with a fitting theme: "Back With a Bang."

The Parade Committee wants to make sure this event is extra special to thank the community for its ongoing support.

Consultant Ray Pulver from Upbeat Parade Productions will help to recruit more music groups, entertainment groups, and local or nation personalities will be added to the agenda. Pulver ran the parade more than 20 years ago.

Committee President Peter Marchetti said they would like to hire the Mummers' string band from Philadelphia.

Marchetti said musical units and celebrities of varying degrees were always a part of the show but have dwindled over the years. To come "Back With a Bang," the committee would like to amp up those aspects.

From the late 1970s to 2020, Pittsfield — and beyond — residents lined North Street on Independence Day to enjoy floats, marching bands, large balloons, and other parade hallmarks.

The event fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. With the promise of vaccinations, planners were hopeful that the parade would happen for 2021 but, in May, Mayor Linda Tyer determined that it couldn't be safely held because of the virus.

Marchetti said planning has commenced because there are no current restrictions that prevent the parade from happening.

According to the Pittsfield Parade website, the parade dates back to the early 1800s and, in 1947, the Pittsfield Permanent Fireman's Association took it over and ran it until 1976.

In 1978, a group of volunteers held their first parade with seed money from the City of Pittsfield and grew to be the committee that runs the show today.

Funds can be sent to Pittsfield Parade Committee, Inc, PO Box 1738, Pittsfield, MA 01202, or donations can be made through PayPal on its website. 

The committee is seeking new members to assist with parade planning and will also be launching a new website.

New volunteers are always welcome to the meetings held the third Wednesday of each month except December at the Polish Falcons on Belair Ave at 7 pm.  
 
The proposed 2022 meeting dates are 2/16/2022, 3/16/2022, 4/13/2022, 4/27/22, 5/11/2022, 5/18/2022, 6/1/2022, 6/8/2022, 6/15/2022, 6/29/2022.

Float and Vehicle Safety Workshops will be held in March, April, and May 2022.   

 

Pittsfield ZBA Member Recognized for 40 Years of Service

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:23PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Albert Ingegni III tells the council about how his father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died at age 94 in 2020, enjoyed his many years serving the city and told Ingegni to do the same. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's not every day that a citizen is recognized for decades of service to a local board — except for Tuesday.

Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.

"It's not every day that you get to stand before the City Council in honor of a Pittsfield citizen who has dedicated 40 years of his life serving on a board or commission," he said.

"As we say that, I know that there are many people that want to serve on boards and commissions and this office will take any resume that there is and evaluate each person but tonight, we're here to honor Albert Ingegni."

The honoree is currently chair of the ZBA, which handles applicants who are appealing a decision or asking for a variance.

Ingegni said he was thinking on the ride over about his late father-in-law, former Mayor Remo Del Gallo, who told him to "enjoy every moment of it because it goes really quickly."

"He was right," he said. "Thank you all."

The council accepted $18,000 from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and a  $310,060 from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All program.