SEVERAL MARCHING BANDS will take part in tomorrow’s return of the Wakefield Independence Day Parade, which steps off from Quannapowitt Parkway at 4:30 p.m.
Published in the July 3, 2015 edition
WAKEFIELD — The town’s traditional celebration of America’s birthday promises to be something special tomorrow, marked in part by the return of Wakefield’s Independence Day Parade.
The parade — organized by the Wakefield Independence Day Committee — steps off at 4:30 p.m. from Quannapowitt Parkway, heads south down North Avenue to Church Street, where the procession turns toward the Lower and Veterans Memorial commons. The procession then goes south on Common Street to Main Street, traveling through the Square to the reviewing stand set up in front of the Americal Civic Center. The parade ends at the Galvin Middle School, named in honor of John Rogers Galvin, a four-star Army general from Wakefield.
Before and after the parade, the West Side Social Club’s Fourth of July Committee will sponsor a fishing contest, children’s parades, races, concerts and, of course, fireworks above Lake Quannapowitt.
Prizes and trophies are awarded at the end of each West Side Social Club event.
On a schedule of events from the West Side, the fireworks are set to begin at 9:30 p.m. But it has been our experience that they could start anytime after 9, so be early.
The West Side Social Club will also man a concession stand on the Common for a good portion of the day. Proceeds from concessions go toward paying for the various events put on by the club’s Fourth of July Committee.
In 2015, the West Side events are being put on in the memory of Past President Dan Curran, who passed away last November, and club member Fred Martin, who passed away in June 2013.
The theme for this year’s children’s events is “Gold Star Family — We Honor Your Fallen.”
Following is the schedule of WSSC activities:
• 7 a.m.: Registration for Fishing Derby at Lower Common.
• 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.: Children’s Fishing Derby for those ages 2 to 14. Children under 12 must be must be accompanied by an adult.
• 8 a.m.: Registration for Pet Show at the Veterans Memorial Common
• 8:30 a.m.: Pet Parade at the Veterans Memorial Common
• 8:30 a.m.: Registration for Cart, Tricycle and Scooter Parade at the Veterans Memorial Common
• 9 a.m.: Cart, Tricycle and Scooter Parade at the Veterans Memorial Common
• 9:30 a.m.: Registration for Bicycle Parade at the Veterans Memorial Common
• 10 a.m.: Bicycle Parade at the Veterans Memorial Common
• 10:30 a.m.: Registration for Doll Carriage Parade at the Veterans Memorial Common
• 11 a.m.: Doll Carriage Parade at the Veterans Memorial Common
• 12 noon: Diaper Derby, a crawling race, on the Lower Common followed by children’s races for toddlers through 12 year olds and adult races
• 1 p.m.: Canoe and kayak races starting at the head of Lake Quannapowitt to the Lower Common. Those under 18 must be must be accompanied an adult
• 7 p.m.: Rick Larrimore The Ultimate Tribute to Rod Steward at the Bandstand
• 9 p.m. Natalie Joly ~ Patriotic Songs
Some words will spoken about this year’s West Side Social Club Fourth of July Committee honorees: late Past President Dan Curran and his friend, the late Fred Martin.
• 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks, in the memory of Dan Curran and Fred Martin.
Please note that the event ends immediately after fireworks display.
After a two year absence, the Wakefield Independence Day Parade returns tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.
Following is the line of march: Wakefield Fire Department; other municipal fire departments; antique fire apparatus; Wakefield Department of Public Works
DIVISION ONE
WIDC Banner
Board of Selectmen
Grand Marshal Bill Chetwynd
Wakefield Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Honor Guard
Kevin Barry Pipes and Drums
Fifth Massachusetts Regiment
West Side Social Club Float
Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps – Nashua, N.H.
Representatives Donald Wong and Paul Brodeur
Float #2
Connecticut Hurricanes Drum and Bugle Corps – Seymour, Conn.
Wakefield Youth Lacrosse
Dick Bayrd Native American
Cadets Sr. Drum and Bugle Corps – Allentown, Pa.
DIVISION TWO
Float #3
Military Vehicles and Antique Cars
Hawthorne Cabelleros Drum and Bugle Corps – Hawthorne, N.J;
Collings Foundation Armored Military Vehicles
DeMolay
Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps – Mount Holly, N.J.
Float #4
Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps – Casper, Wyo.
Float #5
New Liberty Jazz Band
Reading Community Band
Clowns of America
DIVISION THREE
Tony Barrie Band – Saugus
Natalie Joly
Float #6
Prime Time Brass – New York
Magic Man
Float #7
Baltimore City Police Marching Revels – Baltimore, Md.
Float #8
DIVISION FOUR
Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps – Fort Mills, S.C.
Aleppo Shriners – Wilmington
Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps – Allentown, Pa.
Float #9
Lake City High School Marching Band – Lake City, Minn.
Float #10
Spirit Of America Marching Band – Orleans
