BERKSHIRE COUNTY, Mass. (NEWS10) - Hundreds of people gathered in Pittsfield Thursday for the annual Fourth of July parade. The celebration was made up of over 150 floats, banners, and fire and police departments that paraded down North Street.
Parade goers lined the street with red, white, and blue, and waved American flags as they cheered on those marching by. Paradegoer Jenni Goldwasser said she and her family look forward to the celebration every year.
"Oh, we never miss this parade, it’s one of the biggest small town Fourth of July parades in the country," Goldwasser said. We just love to come out and see the spirit and see people from all walks of life celebrating together peacefully. “
Since 1801, the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade has taken place. The tradition also commemorates veterans, and those who have served to keep our country free. Longtime parade goers Jeanne Vresnehan and Kathleen McMahon attended the parade this year to share the spirit and admire the work that goes into being in the parade.
"I love the band," Vresnehan said. "The bands really make the parade. I love to see the kids, I used to work at Pittsfield High and the kids in the band are very lively and I love to see the young people participate.”
The parade is one of the biggest local parades and went on for nearly 3 hours.