Weather Cooperates for Pittsfield 4th of July Parade

The parade had floats, bands and fire engines. See more photos here.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The downtown corridor was alive with red, white, and blue as thousands gathered to watch the Fourth of July parade.

Mayor Peter Marchetti pointed to the pleasant Thursday morning weather — overcast with bouts of sunshine and in the 70s. The 2024 parade, themed "Red, White, Blue and YOU," featured more than 160 units.

"It is a really nice day in Pittsfield and the weather looks like it's going to cooperate and we're ready for a parade," he said before the 10 a.m. kickoff.

It is a bittersweet day for Marchetti, as he will be stepping down as parade leader after more than two decades, but he plans to be involved in some capacity. He thanked the people of Berkshire County for their longtime support of this event.

"It's been a long part of tradition of being here on the morning of the fourth and being the guy in charge but I know through our succession planning, we will be in great shape for next year," Marchetti said.

"I don't think they'll totally get rid of me but I won't be the guy in charge anymore."

Marchetti is handing the reins over to Rebecca Brien, the managing director of Downtown Pittsfield Inc. She described the parade preparations as "controlled chaos," having arrived on site at 5 a.m.

Striking Out Cancer in Berkshires Holds Sunday Party Before June 27 Games

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
10:53AM / Monday, June 15, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Striking out Cancer in the Berkshires has been bringing smiles for half a decade.

 

This year, it also is bringing Smiley.

 

A day of community baseball and softball games that act as a fund-raiser for the Jimmy Fund is the brainchild of Joe DiCicco, who has expanded the event’s footprint over the years and seen a steady growth in money raised as a result.

 

This year’s games are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on June 27 on Buddy Pellerin Field at Clapp Park.

 

But the festivities begin this Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Sideline Saloon on Fenn Street, where DiCicco invites families to come down, free of charge, to take photos with a Boston Red Sox World Series Trophy and meet Boston mascot Wally the Green Monster and Smiley, the mascot of the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.

 

“It’s just a little way to give back to the community to start the week,” DiCicco said. “Last year, we had the trophy for the first time, and they want to bring it back, so that’s a good thing. Wally is different, and so is Smiley.”

 

What has not changed is DiCicco’s dedication to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund, inspired by Einar Gustafson, a child who beat cancer with the help of Dr. Sidney Farber in 1948 and shared his story with the world under the name Jimmy to protect his anonymity.