The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

A Successful Berlin July Fourth Parade

By

submitted by the Parade Committee

With a crowd as big as ever, hundreds of people lined the parade route despite the threatening weather. The parade brought families, friends and communities together to celebrate our nation’s birthday in spirited hometown tradition. The morning rain subsided before the 11 am start and held off for pretty much the duration of the parade. The only July 4th parade in Rensselaer County was led by local American Legion Taconic Valley Post #937 with Color Guard. They were followed by Grand Marshal, Dianne Mosher with her husband Bruce, driven by John Kellar in his 1950 Jeepster. [private]Also featured were local and neighboring fire companies, veterans organizations, scout troops, church and civic groups, costumed walkers, antique and classic cars, farm equipment and equestrian groups along with bands, numerous floats and Rensselaer County Dairy Princess Abbie Tarbox, driven by Tim Whitman in his 1974 Cadillac El Dorado. Bands included the Berlin Central School Marching Band, the Red Caps, Squeeze Play Accordion Band and Hill Hollow Band. Volunteer clowns and helpers distributed American flags and bubbles to kids and “kids at heart” ahead of the parade. This year’s theme, “Imagine This!” did not disappoint. Participants put together a brilliant variety of imaginative and creative entries.

The float “World Peace” by the Flood family of Walloomsac won first prize for the Prettiest float in the Berlin July Fourth Parade. (Bea Peterson photo)
The float “World Peace” by the Flood family of Walloomsac won first prize for the Prettiest float in the Berlin July Fourth Parade. (Bea Peterson photo)
Grand Prize ($125) winner of the Berlin “Imagine This” 4th of July parade was the huge float “Margaritaville Always 5:00” by the Goodermote & Jansen Families. (Bea Peterson photo)
Grand Prize ($125) winner of the Berlin “Imagine This” 4th of July parade was the huge float “Margaritaville Always 5:00” by the Goodermote & Jansen Families. (Bea Peterson photo)

 

Float Prize Winners

Grand Prize ($125) – “Margaritaville Always 5:00” by the Goodermote and Jansen Families

Theme Prizes – 1st Prize ($100) – “If Money Could Grow on Trees” by the Maxon Family

2nd Prize ($75) – “Everyone’s a Star” by Campers at Broken Wheel

Funniest – 1st Prize ($75 – “If Pigs Could Fly” by the Oswald Family

2nd Prize ($50) – “Red Neck Olympics” by Campers at Aqua Vista

Prettiest – 1st Prize ($75) – “World Peace” by the Flood Family

2nd Prize ($50) – “Pegasus” by the Cantering Cowpokes

Marching Group Prizes

1st Prize Ribbon – Parade Committee “Helpers”

2nd Prize Ribbon – Boy Scout Troop 222

3rd Prize Ribbon – Girl Scout Troop 1317

Costumed Walkers

1st Prize Ribbon – Taconic Valley Historical Society

Horseback Riders

1st Prize Ribbon – Boots & Bridles 4-H

2nd Prize Ribbon – Beach Bums – Dawn Feathers

Automobiles Antique

1st Prize Ribbon – Don Paulson’s 1930 Chevrolet

2nd Prize Ribbon – Walt Walters’ 1939 Chevrolet Sedan

Dianne Mosher, accompanied by her husband Bruce Mosher, was the Grand Marshal of the Berlin 4th of July Parade. John Kellar’s 1950 Jeepster took the third place ribbon in the Antique Automobile category. (Bea Peterson photo)
Dianne Mosher, accompanied by her husband Bruce Mosher, was the Grand Marshal of the Berlin 4th of July Parade. John Kellar’s 1950 Jeepster took the third place ribbon in the Antique Automobile category. (Bea Peterson photo)

3rd Prize Ribbon – John Kellar’s 1950 Jeepster

Automobiles Classic/Modified

1st Prize Ribbon – Tim Whitman’s 1974 Cadillac El Dorado

2nd Prize Ribbon – Slim Wheatley’s 1986 Zimmer Coupe

3rd Prize Ribbon – Murray Saunder’s 1946 Chevrolet Panel Truck

Farm Equipment

1st Prize Ribbon – James Wagner’s 1956 Case Tractor

2nd Prize Ribbon – Jackson Burhan’s 1953 John Deere Tractor

Fire Companies

Best Appearing – Brunswick, NY

Most In Line – Petersburgh, NY

The Parade Committee would like to thank those who helped make the 2014 Parade a success: Bill Osterhout, Jr., Charlie Osterhout and Cindy Skrandis for parade line-up; John Kellar and Tim Whitman for providing a vehicle and driving the grand marshal and dairy princess; Berlin Fire Company for opening their doors and providing beverages to parade participants, assistance with traffic control and use of their parking lot; Hill Hollow Band for further entertainment following the parade; the community churches for use of their parking lots; Taconic Valley Soccer Club for availability of the port-a-potty at the school; Parade Committee “helpers” – Sally Smith, Cathy Russell, Elizabeth Michaels, Blaine Michaels, Ana Rizzo and Doug Palmer for distribution of flags and bubbles and the parade judges for their challenging task of judging the many great parade entries. Thanks also to Cyril Grant, Berlin School District Building & Grounds Superintendent, and to the Berlin Free Town Library for meeting space.

The Committee appreciates the ongoing support of the numerous participants and spectators along with the many generous donations received. The parade would not be possible without you. Donations are accepted year-round and can be mailed to the Berlin July 4th Parade Committee, P.O. Box 66, Berlin, NY, 12022. Should you have any questions, please call Jean, 658-3010, or Carol, 658-3936.

Berlin 2014 July 4th Parade Committee:

Carol Alderman

Pat Andrews

Jean Barber

Bruce Hewitt

Rob Jaeger

Al Maus

Anne Maxon

Luella Osterhout

Joe Shupe

Cindy Skrandis

David Theriault[/private]