SOUTHWICK – A unique event will be strolling down the streets of Southwick for the first time this fall. The 1st Annual Southwick Farm Parade will take place on October 14.
The parade will consist of family pets, farm animals, and tractors that were made before 1975. Any types of animals from dogs and cats are invited to be in the spectacle, along with goats, cows, sheep, ox, and more.
The parade will begin at 2pm from Interstate Building Supply and head south along Route 10 and 202 ending at the Southwick Town Hall. Following the parade, an awards ceremony will take place at Prifti Park, which is located just behind town hall. Judges will be looking at decorations of animals and tractors and will be handing out prizes for the winners.
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)
This first ever parade stems from Southwick resident Bobby Polverari approaching Moolicious Farms Owner and Southwick Civic Fund President Joe Deedy, a few 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.
Agreeing to help Polverari with the parade, Deedy informed Polverari that the Southwick Civic Fund will handle the registration for the event. The Southwick Civic Fund has posted the event on their Facebook page and there has been a lot of interest on social media.
“Everybody’s excited, so we’ll see what happens,” said Polverari. “If we can pull this off, it’s going to be the greatest thing.”
Polverari added that if the event is sustainable enough, he’d hope to have it included in Southwick’s 250th Anniversary Celebrations in 2020.
In order to register for the Southwick Farm Parade, people can visit the Southwick Civic Fund website. It costs $15 for each animal that people want to enter.
All of the proceeds for the event will go towards the Southwick Animal Shelter. About three years ago, Polverari and his wife, Barbara, built a brand new 2,400 sq. ft. animal shelter with office space, a play area for the pets, along with an adoption area and lobby.
“It’s important to sign up ahead of time,” said Polverari, who needs to know exactly how many small and large animals will be taking part in the parade.
The Farm Parade is open to all ages but anyone under the age of 18-years-old will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Deedy and Polverari noted that they are looking for sponsors for the parade. Since Route 10 and 202 is a state road, it’s required that police are hired for the event.
“We’re always looking for sponsors, we have to pay for some of the police that are involved,” said Deedy. “Whatever money we can raise, it all goes back to the shelter.”
