by David Flint
The Berlin Fourth of July Parade, being the only one in the County, normally attracts a good-sized crowd. This year was no exception, in fact the number of spectators appeared to be a good bit greater than usual. Jane Fitzgerald has done yeoman service chairing the Parade Committee for many years. This year the Parade Committee was pleased and proud to recognize her “many jobs well done” and appoint “Aunt Jane” as Grand Marshal of the Parade.
Jane was pleased that the longer Parade route this year and the parking arrangements – at all the churches on Main Street and the Bank of America as well as at the Fire House – worked out well. The longer 1.7 mile route meant holding up traffic on Route 22 for one hour and required some advance negotiations with NYSDOT. They stipulated that signs be placed on the highway two weeks in advance and then additional signs be put up the day of the Parade down in Stephentown and up in Petersburgh warning motorists. Jane praised Dave Thierault for the excellent job he did with the signs. And so far, she said, the Committee had received no complaints about the traffic holdup.
Fitzgerald praised also all the volunteers and the Parade Committee members: Carol Alderman, Pat Andrews, Jean Barber, Stoney Bierwirth, Sue Greenberg, Bruce Hewitt, Sharon Klein, Al Maus, Luella Osterhout, Joe Shupe and Dave Thierault.
Fire companies marching this year were Speigletown, Petersburgh, Center Brunswick, Eagle Mills, Grafton, Melrose, Stephentown and West Sand Lake. The Berlin Fire Company was busy providing control and logistical support.
The bands included the Berlin Central School Marching Band, the Capital Region Celtic Pipe Band, the Red Caps and the Hill Hollow Band.
The Theme of the Parade this year was “States On Parade.”
Grand Prize
The “Maine” float by Shirley Oswald and Company
Theme Prizes
First Prize – “Twin Towers” by Broken Wheel Campground
Second Prize – “Rhode Island” by Paul Brundige
Funniest
First Prize – “Hawaii” by the Hilltop Gang
Second Prize – “Alaska” by Walter Walters
Prettiest
First Prize – “Niagara Falls” by Duane Goodermote and Kyle Jansen
Second Prize – “Texas” by Kim Lingener
Marching Groups
First Prize – Grafton VFW
Second Prize – Taconic Valley American Legion Post 937
Horseback Riders
First Prize – Matt and Brandon DeShane
Second Prize – Sara Feathers
Bicycles
First Prize – Louis Katz
Costumed Walkers
First Prize – AIROC Court #42
Boats
First Prize – Walter and Betty Doty
Farm Equipment
First Prize – John Blowers, Jr. – 1931 Farmall
Second Prize – Uriah Burhans – Oliver Tractor & Baler
Third Prize – Uriah Burhans – Ferguson Tractor & Spreader
Trucks
First Prize – Bill Hammersmith – International Fire Truck
Second Prize – Bob Anders – 2000 Peterbuilt
Third Prize – George Dahl – ‘56 Chevy Pickup
Automobiles Antique
First Prize – Don Paulson’s 1930 Chevy
Second Prize – Butch Vonhaggin’s 1931 Ford
Third Prize – Doug Goodermote’s Model T Ford
Automobiles Classic/Modified
First Prize – Bob Mittnight’s ‘63 Imperial
Second Prize – Terry Sykes’ ‘70 Plymouth ‘Cuda
Third Prize – Ray Darling’s ‘57 Chevy BelAir
Fire Companies
Best Appearing – Speigletown District Volunteer Fire Company
Most In Line – Petersburgh Fire Department
The Parade Committee would like to thank and recognize those who helped make the 2011 Parade a success:
The Berlin Town Board for its endorsement; Parade judges who had the difficult task of determining this year’s winners; Bill Osterhout, Jr., Kent Goodermote and Charlie Osterhout for parade line-up; Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Dept for traffic control; Berlin Fire Dept. for refreshments for parade participants, traffic control and use of parking lot; John Kellar and Dave Shuhart for providing a vehicle and driving our Grand Marshal and Rensselaer County Dairy Princess; Pam Gerstel for ensuring we had the all important porta potty available at the school; community churches and Bank of America for use of their parking lots; Raggedy Ann & Andy and their helpers, Ana Rizzo, Chelsea and Shania Bierwirth for their special support with distribution of balloons and flags on behalf of the Parade Committee.
We appreciate the businesses and groups who have supported the Parade with their generous donations and the individual contributors who faithfully send us $100, $50, $20 and ten dollars each year.
