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Your Hometown Parade
2012 4th of July Parade - Volunteers Needed
The Pittsfield Parade Committee announces the parade planning meetings will be held the third Wednesday of every month at 7pm, at Morningside School on Burbank Street in Pittsfield. Please join us!
Jan. 18
Feb. 15
Mar. 21
April 4, 18
May 2, 11, 30
June 6, 13, 27
July 16 (wrap up meeting)
Every year, the parade committee looks for new ideas and talent that can keep the parade fresh and new. We are looking for new and exciting concepts and groups to participate.
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One of the 10 Best Parade Venues in the Country!
This article appeared in the Berkshire Eagle on Monday June 30, 2008.
As the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade gets ready to step off on Friday, it got a high-profile boost in the pages of USA Today, which listed it among the 10 best parade venues in the country.
"We were thrilled," said Peter M. Marchetti, treasurer and coordinator of this year's parade. "It made us feel great."
In its Friday edition, USA Today asked Steve Schmader, president and CEO of the International Festival and Events Association, to list his favorite 10 parades.
Pittsfield was joined by Washington, D.C., Racine, Wis., Philadelphia, Gatlinburg, Tenn., Balboa Island, Calif., Bristol, R.I., Greeley, Colo., Belton, Texas, and St. Louis.
"Once billed as 'Your Hometown Parade,' " the paper said, "the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade dates back to 1824, when the procession consisted of Revolutionary War veterans and politicians riding in horse-drawn carriages.
Today's modern parade has floats, balloons and marching bands, but still retains the small-town, patriotic flavor of its roots."
USA Today, with a circulation of more than 2.2 million, is the nation's most-read newspaper. The theme of this year's parade is "A World of Music."
There will be 19 marching musical acts, and all 23 floats will play either live or taped music. The six giant helium balloons will likewise have a musical theme, right down to Laa-Laa, the Teletubby.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. Friday and will follow its traditional route, beginning on South Street at the Housatonic Street intersection, proceeding around Park Square, up North Street and ending at Wahconah Park on Wahconah Street.
Here is the link to the orginial story in USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2008-06-26-fourth-of-july-parades_N.htm
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History of Our Parade
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.
In 1977, a small group of volunteer citizens obtained $2,000 in 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.
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