PITTSFIELD
The annual Fourth of July Parade marched through steadily warming temperatures, but it stepped in energetic fashion through downtown without incident.
"It was just a good day," Pittsfield Police Chief Michael Wynn said, as a Lady Liberty inflatable ushered the last of the parade past Park Square at 11:48 a.m.
"The weather cooperated, the people cooperated," the chief said.
He said only one incident was reported to police during the two-hour parade -- resulting in three people being taken into custody on Madison Avenue for disorderly conduct.
The temperature was 79 degrees when the parade stepped off at 10 a.m. at West Housatonic and South streets, marching down North Street toward Wahconah Park. A
Returning from the Air Force, Technical Sgt. Shane Willis waves to the crowd from the Here at Home Committee float on Thursday during Pittsfield?s Fourth of July Parade. (Ben Garver / Berkshire Eagle Staff)
crowd, estimated by police at roughly the size of last year's 60,000, lined the route along South, North and Wahconah streets, many in folding chairs or on blankets, three or more rows deep.Others watched from numerous windows in buildings along the route.
"I think it went extremely well," said Parade Committee President Peter Marchetti, who has now worked on the committee through 12 parades. "From an organizational standpoint, it was probably the best one we've had."
Skies were mostly sunny throughout with no hint of rain, despite the recent steamy weather pattern over the Northeast and a heat wave forecast for the next few days. More direct sunshine beat down on the west side of North Street and on participants in the
150-unit parade, but there was only one heat-related medical emergency reported at the very end of the march, Wynn said. That person was transported by ambulance to the hospital.The annual Independence Day Run prior to the parade went off without reports of heat casualties.
Police were out in force around downtown, along with ambulance personnel and firefighters, with vehicles and mobile command centers. As a precaution in light of the Boston Marathon bombings in April, authorities
Brodi Rosier is fashionably patriotic for the Fourth of July Parade in Pittsfield. (Ben Garver / Berkshire Eagle Staff)
had asked people to keep to a minimum any carry-in items.In addition, police asked that the large cardboard trash containers that normally are set along the sidewalks during the parade be removed. That necessitated some cleanup work afterward.
In the sunshine, spectators continually applauded and sometimes cheered -- especially for military or veterans groups marching. Gov. Deval Patrick was greeted by some cheering as he posed near Park Square for news photographers with a group of state lawmakers, city councilors and other officials.
Elsewhere, kids blew soap bubbles that floated on the breeze over the crowd, and the familiar smells of popcorn and food cooking in North Street eateries wafted past.
Sunglasses,
Grand marshal Mary K. O?Brien waves to the crowd during Pittsfield?s Fourth of July Parade. (Ben Garver / Berkshire Eagle Staff)
baseball caps and sun hats were common, along with, no doubt, sunscreen."Yankee Doodle" played by fife and drum units and other patriotic music seemed to strike an emotional chord with many, judging from expressions in the crowd. Two women wiped away tears watching a group from Soldier On march past.
Asked what her favorite part of the parade was, Melissa Gattuso of Adams said she liked the Uncle Sam Chorus. However, for her 18-month-old son, Connor, she said, it had to be the inflatable figures from "Sesame Street."
Lee native Brian Consolati said it would be "watching my daughter [Cate] walk through in about three minutes with the ?Peter Pan' cast." The play will be shown at the Colonial Theatre.
The parade theme was "America the Beautiful -- Land That I Love." Mary K. O'Brien, former Middle District register of deeds, was the grand marshal, and the honorary grand marshal was the late Mike Joyce, a driving force behind the Oldies But Goodies Gang, which often performed during the parade. He died in December.
Marchetti said the Bucket Brigade raised $3,390 during the parade, and that will be matched by Berkshire Money Management. The fundraising total for the event now is just below $70,000, he said.
To reach Jim Therrien:
jtherrien@berkshireeagle.com,
or (413) 496-6247
On Twitter: @BE_therrien Fourth of July Parade Awards
Music
1st -- Berkshire Highlanders
2nd -- Moodus Drum and Fife
3rd -- Columbia and District Pipe Band
Antique Vehicle
1st -- Tom Vagnini, 1926 Packard Phaeton
2nd -- Edna Utvinger, 1930 Coca-Cola truck
3rd -- Dick Goodno, 1967 Chevelle
Fire Department
1st -- Pittsfield
2nd -- Lanesboro
3rd -- Dalton
Color Guard
1st -- Patriot Ground
Floats -- Grand Prize
1st -- Capeless Cub Scouts Pack 5
Best Theme
1st -- RSVP
Best Nonprofit
Philmont Fire Company
Grand Marshal Award
Callahan Vietnam Veterans Chapter 65
Best Veterans
Here at Home Committee
Best First Time Entry
Berkshire Rowing and Sculling Society
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