By Julia Beauregard
Hometown Weekly Editor
Patriotism was abound in Needham Town Common last Tuesday for the annual July 4th parade, hosted by the Needham Exchange Club.
Community members of all ages lined up and down the sidewalks within the packed town common, toting red, white, and blue attire. While the weather was less than favorable, the light rain and overcast sky didn’t stop the abundance of guests from attending this town favorite event.
At 9am, the North End Marching Band played The Star Spangled Banner in honor of the birth of our nation. The flag flew up high as they performed for the crowd, bringing brightness to this dreary day.
Shortly thereafter, the parade began with a throng of firetrucks, both modern and antique, with sirens blaring, commanding the attention of all of the onlookers. The fire trucks were followed by police cruisers and police motorcycles, who smiled and waved to the various families flooding the town common.
Local dignitaries were well represented at the parade, including Grand Marshal and Selectman, Dan Matthews, Congressman Jake Auchincloss, State Auditor Diana Dizoglio, State Representative Denise Garlick, and State Senator Rebecca Rausch. Others being driven in the parade include Select Board members Cathy Dowd, Heidi Frail, and Kevin Keane, who waved American flags, while tossing candy to the younger members of the crowd, Exchange Club President Matthew Borrelli, and Exchange Club Scholarship Henry Dirk.
The League of Women Voters soon followed after, encouraging everyone to exercise their right to vote; a wonderful reminder of the power we have in our great nation on the day of its birth.
Waves of bands flowed throughout the parade, bringing the joy of musical entertainment and a variety of tunes throughout the morning. Performances included The North End Marching Band, The New Liberty Jazz Band, The Needham Euphonium Ensemble, among other talented groups.
For Needham High School volleyball, the Fourth of July parade doubled as a celebration of their recent state championship. The boys toted their championship banner and trophy, as they paraded through town common. The Needham Soccer Club and Majors Baseball showed off their banners as well.
Other groups represented included The Rotary Club, who proudly sponsored their upcoming Needham Carnival, beginning July 20th, The Freemasons, The Boy Scouts, and Needham Student Theater, though there were far more floats and scores more marchers than could be mentioned.
Despite the poor weather conditions, it was plain to see everyone was having a wonderful time, which brought its own ray of sunshine to Independence Day. All Needhamites alike didn’t let this weather rain on their parade.
