Staff Report
June 27, 2025
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With the city’s signature Independence Day celebration just around the corner, leaders of the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade joined Pittsfield Community Television’s Parade in Preview program to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s festivities.
Host Shawn Serre welcomed Parade Committee President Rebecca Brien, 2025 Grand Marshal Madison Quinn, and veteran parade audio technician John Williams for a lively discussion about this year’s theme, Young At Heart, and what it represents for the community.
“The theme this year celebrates joy, imagination, and the spirit of youth—no matter your age,” Brien said. She noted that this year’s parade includes more than 160 entries, with new floats, high school bands, and local organizations reflecting the playful, colorful energy of the theme. “We wanted something uplifting, something fun—and Young At Heart just resonated.”
The 2025 Grand Marshal, Madison Quinn, was honored for her ongoing work with Strong Little Souls, the nonprofit she founded as a teenager to support children battling cancer. “To be recognized in this way, in front of my hometown, is incredibly special,” Quinn said. “The parade has always been a highlight of the summer for me, and now I get to be part of it in a whole new way.”
Quinn has helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for pediatric cancer patients nationwide and continues to expand her advocacy through outreach and care packages for families in need.
Audio operator John Williams, who has helped bring the parade to viewers at home for more than 20 years, shared a glimpse of what it takes to make the broadcast possible. “It’s a lot of moving parts—microphones, coordination, audio feeds from the announcer stands,” Williams explained. “But it’s worth it to help share this event with the whole community.”
Serre added that PCTV will once again air the parade live on television and online, giving residents near and far a chance to tune in. “Even if you can’t make it downtown, you’ll be able to experience the parade in full,” Serre said. The broadcast will be available beginning at 9:30 AM on Access Pittsfield channel 1301, streaming on PCTV Select 1 on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, iOS and Android devices, the PittsfieldTV Facebook page, and as a simulcast on 89.7 WTBR-FM Pittsfield and 88.1 Lee. Viewers throughout Berkshire county can also view the program on their local community cable channels.
The Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 4, beginning on South Street and continuing north through downtown Pittsfield. Parade organizers encourage spectators to arrive early, wear sunscreen, and bring water to stay cool.
For the full lineup, route map, and viewing details, visit pittsfieldparade.com.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on the June 11 broadcast of PCTV’s “Parade in Preview” program, and was written in part using ChatGPT. To view the entire program, visit: https://pittsfieldtv.org/program/?id=53871
