As the rain fell, floats, civic organizations, firetrucks, marching bands, antique automobiles and even costumed Lady Liberty lined up at the Berlin Elementary School. As the skies cleared, the parade stepped off at 11 am sharp, led by local Taconic Valley American Legion Post #937. Honorary grand marshals were Berlin residents, Bill and Elizabeth Reynolds, who for many years have
dedicated their time and talents to the local community. Long before the parade marched by, the lawn chairs were already in place in anticipation of this annual hometown tradition. It seemed everyone, young and young at heart, came out to celebrate our country’s independence.
This year’s theme was “The Four Seasons”. Prize winners were:
Floats: Grand Prize – Four Seasons – Jansen/Goodermote families
Theme Prize – 1st: Winter Fun With Frosty – Shirley Oswald; 2nd: Four Seasons Restaurant – Broken Wheel Campers
Funniest – 1st: Fantastic Fall – Kim Lingener; 2nd: Fall, Winter, Spring – Petersburgh Senior Citizens
Prettiest – 1st: Four Seasons Event – Berlin Senior Citizens; 2nd: Fall Harvest – Brownie Troop 1180
Marching Groups: 1st: Boy Scout Troop #222
Horseback Riders: 1st: Deshane Family; 2nd: Sarah Feathers On “Pepe Tequila”
Costumed Walkers: 1st: Liberty For All Seasons” – Jodi Smith Anderson
Farm Equipment: 1st: Oliver 550 – Uriah Burhans
Trucks: 1st: Eagle Energy; 2nd: Eagle Energy; 3rd: Brian O’Donovan
Automobiles (Antique): 1st: 1931 Ford – Doug Goodermote; 2nd: 1915 Ford – Doug Goodermote; 3rd: 1928 Ford – Paul Brundige
Automobiles (Classic/Modified): 1st: 1934 Ford – David Goodermote; 2nd: 1934 Ford – Ed Seagroatt; 3rd: 1970 Cadillac Ambulance – Dan Harris
Boats: 1st: Fishing Boat – Bill Sweeney
Fire Companies: Best Appearing – Berlin Vol. Fire Dept; Most In Line – Petersburgh Vol. Fire Dept.
The Parade provided an annual event offering small town charm and hometown pride, bringing families and community together in spirited celebration. As the Parade came to an end, Hill Hollow Band provided entertainment outside the Berlin Firehouse while Parade participants and viewers enjoyed some social time. A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the Parade a memorable event: the judges who have the difficult task of picking prize winners, parade line-up volunteers (couldn’t be done without you), those who provided cars for the Grand Marshal and Dairy Princess; Berlin Vol. Fire Dept. for their hospitality in providing complimentary refreshments to the participants. Thank you all for your dedication to this great, time-honored tradition. Thank you to all the participants (you are the best!) And spectators, too; and to the individuals and businesses whose donations make this event possible.
A special thank you to the 2009 Parade Committee for a job well done: Pat Andrews, Jean Barber, Stoney Bierwirth, Jane Fitzgerald, Sue Greenberg, Bruce Hewitt, Sharon Klein, Eliza Lamphere, Al Maus, Luella Osterhout, Norma Shaw and Joe Shupe.
Events such as the July Fourth Parade make a person proud to be a part of the community that we call home. To continue this tradition in 2010 and beyond, the Parade Committee needs your support. If you enjoyed the celebration, please send your contribution to: Berlin 4th Of July Parade Committee, P.O. Box 152, Berlin, NY, 12022. The Committee will begin plans for the 2010 parade in October. If you are interested in volunteering your time or for more information, please call Jane Fitzgerald at 658-2624. See you in 2010!
July Fourth Grand Marshals
Mr. and Mrs. William Reynolds of Echo Park, Berlin, served as the Grand Marshals in the July 4 Parade in Berlin this year. Known as Bill and Elizabeth to friends and neighbors, the couple will celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary on November 22 this year. Bill retired in 1981 from W. J. Cowee after 35 years of service where he had worked his way up to Plant Manager. He also served on the Berlin Central School Board for several years. Bill was a very important member of the Berlin Bicentennial Committee from 2004-2006. While Elizabeth was busy being a homemaker, she also hooked rugs, belonged to the Home Bureau and has become a talented folk art painter As a result of her painting. Bill started making wooden items for the craft trade for 18 years after his retirement from Cowee. The couple has been very active in the Methodist Church including the Pairs and Spares, and both were Charter Members of the Taconic Valley Historical Society in which they held various offices. For many years their efforts created many floats for our annual parade and many displays and slide programs for various Town celebrations. We salute them for their many years of service to the community.