American flags, tri-colored streamers, and a host of other patriotic decorations cover this all-terrain vehicle at a past Hampton Ponds Association Independence Day Parade. (WNG file photo)
WESTFIELD- The 63rd Annual Westfield Community Fourth of July Parade is next Thursday.
The annual event is organized by the Hampton Pond Association (HPA).
HPA Committee Chairperson Pat Haber said many of the people she expects to take part in the parade typically do so every year. The parade will begin at Hampton Ponds Plaza on North Road at 10 a.m. It will end at the Hampton Ponds Association Hall on the corner of Old Stage Road. Haber said that the parade itself will begin with the Westfield Police Department marching contingent.
State Rep. and U.S. Army Mjr. John Velis will be parade marshal. In recent years he would have been marching with the other dignitaries such as Mayor Brian P. Sullivan and state Sen. Donald F. Humason, Jr., but Haber said the committee chose to honor him due to his recent return from a tour of duty.
American Legion Post 124 will display the colors for the parade, and they will also be marching with American Legion Post 454.
The HPA will use their float from the Westfield 350th parade. Other known participants include a detachment of Vietnam Veterans, Marine League Detachment 141, the Third Massachusetts Regiment, the Springfield Kilpies Bagpipe group, the Westfield Fire Department, and city dignitaries, which include Mayor Sullivan, Humason and some members of the City Council.
Beyond that, Haber said, there are a handful of people and groups who typically take part but have not yet confirmed that they will this year. J-Dog Junk Removal, a Westfield business run by a veteran, typically has a float in the parade each year. Other past participants include Harley Davidson Southampton and a series of antique cars, such as those that made an appearance in the 350 parade.
Haber noted that she will not have an exact headcount of who is participating until the morning of the parade. She said that people sometimes just show up to participate.
“It’s just a small community parade,” said Haber, “But it’s growing each year.”
She added that the committee has been in discussions with some local businesses to use the parade as a way of free advertising for themselves. She noted that, for many of the business owners, the Fourth of July is their only day off for a while, and they may not want to spend it in the parade itself.
At the tail end of the parade will be a float listing all of this year’s sponsors. The police department will be closing it out in addition to leading the line.
Following the parade itself, at the Hampton Ponds Association Hall, there will be a ceremony led by Velis. There will be a presentation of the colors and some of the nation’s songs will be sung by Carol LeBrie Barcomb.
Four academic scholarships will be given out this year to students during the ceremony. Some of the dignitaries will then give speeches in recognition of Independence Day and Barb Diroux will lead the audience in a prayer.
This year, Haber said, they are going to be giving out raffle tickets for a gift basket that will be given out during the ceremony.
