Town Government &
  Services:

Committees Home Page

Fourth of July Parade Committee

Event Information 

Contact Us

Committees: Fourth of July Parade Committee

Fourth of July Parade Committee

It is the responsibility of the July 4th Parade Committee to plan ,organize and raise funds for the annual Independence Day Parade , as well as the Band Concert by The Satuit Band at the Harbor.  The floats, marchers, and bands are provided by different organizations.  The fundraisers pay for the marching bands as well as the historic civil & revolutionary war marching units that everyone enjoys during the parade. Since the beginning of the nineties, the committee has raised the funds necessary to hire the bands, the reenactment marching units and the band concert.  The major fundraisers are the golf tournament and sale of our buttons, Donations are always welcome.

2010 Report

Theme - Happy 375th Birthday Hingham
Grand Marshal - Tom O'Donnell
Button Winners - 1st Place Felicia Bornstein, Plymouth River School
Runners Up - Lucy Collins, Foster School & Gillian Mehigan, East School

Planning for the birthday celebration began in August 2009 honoring the request of the 375th Committee to dedicate the parade to Hingham's 375th Anniversary!

The Parade Committee had many special surprises this year, including one that arrived under the cover of darkness. At the request and cost of the Parade Committee, late one June evening the DPW painted the center line along the parade route from the beginning on Middle Street to downtown's Main Street red, white and blue. Residents were extremely surprised and delighted upon discovering this patriotic display. The Townspeople were abuzz with enthusiasm and anticipation of the 4th of July events to come. Smiles of joy on the young and old alike abounded.

Due to the 4th falling on a Sunday this year, the starting time was shifted close to noon, rather than the traditional 10AM kickoff. Because of the heat and midday start, we alerted the record >1,000 participants to hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate some more. Thank you to Aquarion for providing water during the event. Nearly 25 floats were crafted for the parade and the Bare Cove Fire Museum brought out their best! Rather than a few pieces of equipment, they brought so many that we had to line them up on Pond Street, and they nearly filled the street!

Due to the sheer size of the set up, we were both grateful and thankful that one of our parade partners, South Shore Country Club, has a fleet of golf carts – we needed them! Many floats were staged at Haley Field, where if you happened by early, you may have seen a mini-concert performed by The Normal Band, as they entertained fellow floats waiting for their alignment and moment to be released onto Rt. 228. The raucous pre-parade atmosphere at Haley Field really captured the feeling of the day.

Bob Fournier was spectacular in his role as Hingham's own Town Crier announcing the newly signed Declaration of Independence throughout the parade route, while standing on a replica of the Old Massachusetts State House Balcony where the first public reading in Massachusetts took place. Thanks to Paul & Lynn Bonanno for the design and Glenn Olsson for the construction of the float.

Both Uncle Sam and our own Paul Revere were also at the front of the parade, continuing the all American feeling we tried to capture. Thanks to Pleasant Meadow Farms for the horses and Mr. Morgan for his great rendition; he was accompanied by many family members, including his grandsons (Matt an James DeMenna) flanking him on horseback.

Our Grand Marshal, the esteemed Tom O'Donnell, was once again transported in a Saab provided by Fred Shaw of Shaw Saab – Thanks Fred! Ginny Gray showed off our button winners in her special baby blue Saab convertible. Way to go Ginny!

Special performers this year travelled all the way from Philadelphia, PA - the world famous Ferko String Band. They are regular participants in the Philadelphia Mummers Parade as well as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Their elaborate sequined costumes and outstanding music entertained all. The Hallamore Clydesdales from Lakeville, MA were breathtaking as they pranced along the parade route to the awe of the thousands of spectators.

Many of our favorite bands returned such as: The Boston Crusaders Senior Drum & Bugle Corp., The Satuit Band, The Roma Band, and St. Alfios Band. The Shriner Clowns once again entertained us all along the parade route with their amusing antics and crazy cars. Marching groups representing town youth and high school athletic teams, militia and military groups, old time baseball players, as well as everyone's favorite, the Crow Point Marching Kazoo Band!

The Sr. Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corp and the The 7th Regiment Drum & Bugle Corp from CT once again had us tapping our toes and marching to the beat as we enjoyed the melodic sounds of the horns and the beat of the percussionists.

The Cohasset Selectmen marched along side the Hingham Selectman in honor of their long ago history as being part of Hingham.

The Sponsor Billboard Float was made possible by Jack Dean of Color Max Graphics; Ross Rosano, R.W.Rosano Corp of Cohasset, provided the truck; Mike DeNatle of Scituate and president of All American Sports Group, LLC Canton, MA provided the turf for the float; and the beautiful flowers and shrubs donated by Williams Landscaping in Cohasset.

Due to the importance of this year's commemorative event, the Committee realized that extra special performers would increase the cost of the parade significantly. Through the numerous fundraising efforts throughout the year, the businesses and residents of Hingham really came through with flying colors! We were able to raise nearly $45,000, which is the approximate cost spent on this year's magnificent event! Fundraising efforts this year included, proceeds from annual button sales with thanks to the Hingham/Hull Rotary for their dedication to selling the buttons on parade day. The annual direct mail requests to local business resulted in many corporate sponsors, including AW Perry, once again was our lead sponsor – a big thanks!!

New fundraising events this year included a night of Cocktails and Silent/Live Auction at Tosca; our first direct mail request to Hingham's residents was included in the Hingham Light June billing, which also provided key information for other town activities around the 4th. Over 200 residents responded, and many gave more than the requested $10 donation. A huge thank you to the staff at Hingham Light, and a big thanks to those generous residents!

We've already started raising money for the 2011 event with a fall golf tournament at South Shore Country Club this past October. The amazing folks at the SSCC pulled off a great tournament, while bringing back an old tradition – the South Shore Four Ball! Nearly 100 participants came out on as morning that made it feel closer to The Old Course, St. Andrews rather than South Shore Country Club! Look for that to be an annual success.

It is the responsibility of the Fourth of July Parade Committee to plan, organize and raise funds for the annual Independence Day Parade, as well as the Band Concert by The Satuit Band at the Harbor. The floats, marchers, and bands are provided by different organizations. Since the beginning of the nineties, the committee has raised the funds necessary to hire the bands, the reenactment marching units and the band concert. New fundraising ideas are developed annually, and please donate when you get a chance – or even send in a random check; we like those surprises.

The small group listed below does a wonderful job and whose hard work is enjoyed by more than 20,000 people each year, and we are always looking for assistance.

If you would like to be a part of the committee or participate in the parade or golf tournament please contact Mary Ann Blackmur 781-603-7864 or mblackmur@comcast.net .