AMERICAN THUNDER and the West Side Social Club’s 4th of July Committee gave us a great end to Independence Day 2024. Carin Macnamara captured the pyrotechnics above the newly refurbished Bandstand on the Lower Common. (Photograph courtsey of Carin Macnamara/Advanced Imaging ©2024)
WAKEFIELD — The town celebrated Independence Day in style yesterday, with kids’ showcases, races, an impressive parade, music, plenty of food and a nighttime pyrotechnics spectacular over Lake Quannapowitt.
Vets’ Field was packed with people for the nighttime fireworks display. Just a few hours before, thousands lined the route of the town’s 77th Fourth of July parade as generations came together for a common celebration of America’s 248th birthday.
The Wakefield Independence Day Committee hosted the parade. Cheryl Dalton was the grand marshal, ushered along from Quannapowitt Parkway to the Americal Civic Center in a convertible. There was plenty to see and hear, from the majestic clydesdales from Hobby Knoll Stables and classic Corvettes to jugglers, string bands and much, much more.
The Fourth of July in Wakefield is always crammed with activities, thanks to the West Side Social Club’s 4th of July Committee and the Wakefield Independence Day Committee.
The WSSC got things off early, with a 7:30 a.m. Fishing Derby at Lake Quannapowitt, followed by a parade of pets and decorated tricycles, bicycles, scooters, carts and doll carriages. The theme for the children’s events this year was “D Day: The 80th Anniversary of Peace, Liberty and Reconciliation.”
After the parades, at about noon, the West Side’s 4th of July Committee put on the always-entertaining Diaper Derby and Running Races.
At the head of the lake, participants gathered for the start of the annual Canoe Race.
There was a break in the public festivities until people began grabbing their spots to watch the 77th Fourth of July Parade.
The parade began at 5 p.m., traveling down North Avenue, turning left to Church Street, right onto Common Street, and straight through to Main Street. The parade concluded at the Galvin Middle School.
At about 7 p.m., the West Side Social Club’s 4th of July Committee was back with a 7 p.m. concert on the Lower Common by the Buckley Brothers Band.
At about 9:15 p.m. the WSSC’s 4th of July Committee remembered the late Michael Nasella, this year’s honoree.
At about 9:30 p.m. the 4th of July Committee put on the annual fireworks spectacular above the lake, capping a great day with a great display.
The fireworks lasted about a half hour, with the crew from fireworks supplier American Thunder drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
