DANCE STUDIO OF WAKEFIELD perform a routine in front of the parade reviewing stand.
Published in the July 5, 2019 edition.
WAKEFIELD — What a day!
PARADE GRAND MARSHALS Maria and Jimmy Assimakopolous arrive at the reviewing stand in a horse-drawn carriage. The owners of Brothers Deli and Restaurant are longtime parade sponsors. (Mark Sardella Photo)
The 2019 version of Wakefield’s Independence Day celebration was held in perfect summer weather yesterday and bore witness to much patriotic creativity in the morning, great pomp and circumstance during the late afternoon parade, another awesome performance by the Buckley Brothers Band before sundown and once it got dark, an impressive fireworks display over Lake Quannapowitt from the people of Atlas Pyrotechnic.
Made possible because of the year-long efforts of the West Side Social Club’s Fourth of July Committee and the Wakefield Independence Day Committee, the festivities began just after sunrise and ran until about 10:15 last night, a full day of America’s birthday enjoyment.
Taking a break from backyard barbecues, generations lined the parade route and marveled at the talents of the marching bands, float makers, dancers and superheroes, among many others.
Town fire apparatus led off the parade with sirens blaring after actually going to a call at the Lakeside Office Park around 5 p.m., which delayed the start by about nine minutes. Grand marshals Jimmy and Maria Assimakopolous, owners of Brothers Restaurant and stalwart parade backers for years, rode in a magical carriage near the front of the line of march. Not far behind was the mighty Hercules, ridden by retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gerald Scott.
The parade’s Division 1 included Wakefield Police,veterans, the 215th Army Band and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Honor Guard, Colonel Bailey’s 2nd Massachusetts Regiment, the Middlesex County Volunteers Fife and Drum, local Cub Scout Pack 722, the New Magnolia Jazz Band, 74th Highland Regiment and the Lynn English High School Jr. ROTC Drill Team
The second division included military vehicles, the New Liberty Jazz Band, the 5th Massachusetts Battery, the Spirit of America Fife and Drums, Kings Own 4th Regiment of Foot, Benkadi Drum & Dance, a float sponsored by Designer Lawn Sprinkler, superheroes like Batman, Captain America and Green Arrow, and antique cars.
Division 3 included Captain Jack Sparrow and the Rogues Armada, the Polish American String Band, the Little League Minors’ champ Jay Hawks, various clowns, Little League floats, jugglers, the Merrimack Valley Concert Band and the Connecticut Hurricanes.
Prior to the parade, the West Side Social Club’s judged contests and races ruled the morning. This year’s theme for decorating the entries in the pet, tricycle, bicycle, scooter, cart and doll carriage parades was “American Heroes – 75th Anniversary of D-Day.”
The children’s events began with the Fishing Derby. A spokesperson said, “Seeing the children’s creativity is simply wonderful. The children do an amazing job, decorating their bikes, scooters, carts, sometimes making it difficult for the judges to choose the top three. We are looking forward to seeing families participate in the WSSC tradition that has been going on for decades!”
Around 6:30 p.m., the annual “Concert on the Common” featured the very talented Buckley Brothers Band, performing an array of favorites to enjoy before the grand finale fireworks extravaganza.
Atlas Pyrotechnic lit up the July Fourth sky over the Lake with a display that lasted a good while and kept fireworks enthusiasts glancing upwards for the next big boom and flash.
When the show was over, it brought to an end another fun-filled Independence Day celebration that organizers keep improving on each year.
