By GAIL LOWE
WAKEFIELD — The carnival held during April school vacation week raised approximately $8,000 that will help pay expenses for the 2015 Independence Day Parade, said Patrick Sullivan, chairman of the Independence Day Parade Committee.
“Attendance was comparable to last year,” said Sullivan. “There was no rain and we were open every day.”
Sullivan commended everyone involved with the set-up of the carnival, owned and operated by Mark Sanelli of Sanelli Amusements, and residents abutting the grounds of the Galvin Middle School parking lot where the carnival was held. Sullivan thanked Armory Street residents for tolerating additional traffic and parking along the roadway.
“The athletic field at the school remained open,” continued Sullivan. “Everything worked out fine.”
Sullivan also offered a public thanks to Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio, Board of Selectmen, School Committee the Police and Fire departments and all volunteers for the roles they played in the carnival’s success.
Sullivan said a talent showcase featuring Wakefield singers, musicians and dancers will be held Friday, June 12 inside The Savings Bank Theatre at Wakefield Memorial High School. Proceeds from the event also will benefit the Independence Day Parade. The WCAT studio will be on hand to film the show.
The Wakefield Independence Day Parade has long been billed as the largest in Massachusetts and the carnival is one of the most important fundraisers for the parade, typically bringing in about 20 percent of the funds necessary to fund the parade each year and bringing thousands of people inside and outside of Wakefield to the event.
Sullivan is joined by David Sidebottom, vice chairman of the Independence Day Parade Committee, and co-chairs Paul Watts and Steve Gates. Publicity is handled by Rick Robinson.
