Weather Cooperates for Pittsfield 4th of July ParadeBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:19PM / Thursday, July 04, 2024 | |
 Thousands lined North Street on Thursday morning for the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade. |
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."
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