SOUTHWICK – With a little more than a week to go, the Southwick Civic Fund continues to seek tractors and animals to participate in the 1st Southwick Farm Parade on October 14 to benefit the Polverari/Southwick Animal Shelter.
According to Southwick Civic Fund President Joe Deedy, there are currently three tractors signed up for the parade and several animal owners have expressed interest but none confirmed. Deedy said they are accepting tractors made prior to 1975 and any type of animal from dogs and cats to goats, cows, sheep, ox, and more are invited to participate.
Polverari is seen helping construct the new Southwick Animal Shelter in August of 2013. (WNG File Photo)
To register for the Southwick Farm Parade, people can visit the Southwick Civic Fund website and fill out an entry form. It costs $15 for each tractor or animal that people want to enter. For additional information please call 413-531-0336.
In the past couple of months, Deedy says that he’s received interest from a number of people, but it doesn’t mirror how many have actually signed up.
“It’s just very frustrating to see the lack of participation beforehand,” said Deedy.
Deedy did go on to say that if there is a lack of animals registered for the parade, he will use some furry friends from the Southwick Animal Shelter to march. He will also be signing up his own two pet goats in the parade in order to increase the activity of the event.
“We’re committed, it’s too late now to turn around, things have to start somewhere,” said Deedy.
Southwick Civic Fund President Joe Deedy (left) and Bobby Polverari (right) pose with Deedy’s goats, who will be participating in the farm parade. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
All of the proceeds for the event will go towards the Polverari /Southwick Animal Shelter. About three years ago, Southwick resident Bobby Polverari and his wife, Barbara, built a brand new 2,400 sq. ft. animal shelter with office space and a play area for the pets along with an adoption area and lobby.
The farm parade stems from Polverari approaching Deedy almost five months ago after traveling through Vermont and seeing a sign for a farm parade. Polverari didn’t see why Southwick couldn’t have an event like that of their own.
The parade will start at 2 p.m. on October 14 and leave from Interstate Building Supply. The parade route will go south on Route 10 and 202 ending at the Southwick Town Hall. Following the parade, an awards ceremony will take place at Prifti Park. Judges will be looking at decorations of animals and tractors and will be handing out prizes for the winners.
The Southwick Civic Fund is also asking that people involved in the parade are 18 years or older, and anyone under the age of 18-years-old will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
