image description — Thousands lined North Street on Thursday morning for the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade.

Weather Cooperates for Pittsfield 4th of July Parade

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:19PM / Thursday, July 04, 2024Print Story | Email Story

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.

"We had, again, chairs set out first thing this morning at 6 a.m. and people are just excited to see the parade," she said.

William "Bill" Sturgeon was "overwhelmed and filled with gratitude" as the grand marshal of the parade. The WTBR radio personality, community volunteer, and veteran stressed the importance of remembering those who never returned from war.

"This has been overwhelming both to my wife and I'm so filled with gratitude and honor but I can't forget the ones who will be forever 19," he said.

"I'm an old man they never got that privilege."

Sturgeon, who was named 2024 Irish Person of the Year by the Irish American Club of Berkshire County, rode in a yellow Thunderbird convertible with his wife, Rose.

"I think that my husband is terrific and so deserving of this honor. He does a lot of community," she said.

"We've been together a lot of years and he's always driven to help people and to be kind to everyone, especially the community, the elderly, the handicapped, veterans, he's always there."

Tags: 4th of July, parade,

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:30AM / Thursday, August 06, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back over 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

"I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference," committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

"The city could have use for that difference over the next three years."

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has been vocally in favor of the independent audit for years, said the city doesn't have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, "We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional, and a looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is."

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have equitable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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