SOUTHWICK- The Southwick 250 Committee is seeking volunteers to participate and assist in the Southwick 250th Anniversary parade that takes place Oct. 16.
The 250th Committee is seeking volunteers to help with the logistics of the parade. Those who are interested are asked to contact Southwick 250th Committee Chair Jim Putnam for more details. Participants must fill out the parade entry form and the participation agreement.
The Southwick 250th Anniversary parade, and most of the related celebrations, were originally supposed to take place in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic derailed those plans, and the committee ultimately decided to delay the celebrations by one year.
The Southwick 250th celebration float arrives at Southwick Regional High School for the Salute to Southwick Drive-By NOv. 7, 2020. (MARC ST. ONGE/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
“We are excited to be able to finally have the parade safely to top off our town’s 250th birthday celebration,” said Putnam. “Although it’s actually the 251st, since we had to wait a year, townspeople have been asking when it was going to happen, and some have already signed up. All are welcome to participate, enjoy the music, the animals and so much more. As it will be held outside, people will be able to social distance if they wish.”
The parade will feature farm animals, the Southwick 250 Trolley, local bands, civic groups, businesses, and groups from neighboring communities.
Parade participants will gather at the staging area at Hudson Drive for 1 p.m. on Oct. 16, from which they will drive west on Route 10 towards Town Hall.
Though the 250th celebrations were largely cancelled in 2020 because of the pandemic, Southwick still found a way to celebrate in a somewhat limited way. On Nov. 7, 2020, the actual date of the 250th anniversary, a vehicle procession took place through Southwick, resembling a scaled down version of the Grand Parade.
