While America celebrates its 236th anniversary this Fourth of July, many families across the country will gather with their friends and neighbors to host their annual barbeque in anticipation of fireworks lighting up the night sky. However, for most Wakefield residents, the annual Fourth of July parade will be the main focus of the day.
?Many people in Wakefield schedule their barbeques around the parade; they don?t miss it,? said Cindy Schatz, chairman of business appeals for the Wakefield Independence Day Committee.
The parade, which is Massachusetts?s largest Fourth of July parade, the second largest in New England and the eighth largest in the country, was first organized more than 60 years ago and has since become a source of immense pride in Wakefield. With an expected crowd of 60,000 people lining the streets, the event draws people back year after year.
As chairman of business appeals for the committee, Schatz?s main goal is to raise the estimated $55,000 it takes to put on the parade each year.
?The carnival at the Galvin each spring brings in some money, but it all depends on the number of tickets sold and if it rains or is cold, we don?t earn as much,? Schatz said.
Due to the uncertainty of parade funds coming from the carnival, Schatz and the committee turn to businesses and residents to help with funds.
?We have the ?Give 5 for the 4th,? where we ask individuals to donate $5 with the idea that, if every individual in town donated $5, we could pay for the parade just through these donations,? Schatz said.
The Committee also aims to get local businesses to donate money and in turn, their business?s name is displayed on a banner carried along the entire 1.9 miles of the parade.
?A lot of the businesses that donate are those with owners who are longtime residents and have a special connection to Wakefield and the parade,? Schatz said.
Christopher J. Barrett Realtors is just one of these longtime donor businesses.
?All my children grew up in Wakefield, and we have always enjoyed the parade and want to make sure that it continues,? said Marilyn J. Barrett, the owner of Barrett Realtors. ?It?s a really fun day with the parade, the fireworks and the downtown is just chockfull of activities.?
Having donated for the past four years, Breton Electric will again be supporting the parade this year.
?Steve and I grew up in Wakefield and we love the parade; it?s wonderful for the town and we want to give back to the community since so much of the community sees the parade,? Wendy Dennis said, referring to herself and her husband, who own Breton Electric.
?We?ve always enjoyed the marching bands and now that we live behind the Civic Center, where the bands perform, we can enjoy them from the comforts of home,? she said.
These bands include drum corps groups made up of 18-to-23-year-olds who travel all over the country to compete throughout the summer. The bands stop and perform at the Americal Civic Center and are given reviews from judges.
?We bring in five or so each year and they are all spectacular,? Schatz said of the bands.
So far, there will be 10 floats in the parade this year, made by groups such as the Girl Scouts, the Beebe Library and the Wakefield Repertory Theatre. The floats are judged and prizes are given to the winners.
?Floats may reflect the theme of this year?s parade, ?Celebrate America? or they can come up with their own idea,? Schatz said.
Parade onlookers can also look forward to the appearance of antique vehicles, active military groups, high school bands, clowns, 4-H groups, parade horses and Wakefield sports teams.
The parade will begin at 5 p.m., starting on North Avenue, in front of the Lakeside Office Park, and continue to Main Street, ending at the Americal Civic Center.
As in years past, chairs will surely line the street this 4th of July, as people claim their spots on the parade route. With the support of 700 individuals and families and more than 70 businesses, the parade committee will once again be able to carry on Wakefield?s tradition, which would surely make the likes of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock proud.
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