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Fourth of July Parade Committee

2008 Event Information 

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.

2007 Report

It is the responsibility and pleasure 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. Many community organizations participate as walking units or floats that they designed. The fundraisers pay for the marching bands as well as the historic civil and 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 held at South Shore Country Club and sale of our buttons with the assistance of the Hingham-Hull Rotary Club. Donations are always welcome.

In keeping with tradition that dates back more than 150 years, the 2007 Hingham Fourth of July Parade was the “best ever” according to many spectators enjoying the parade. The Committee’s own Al Carpenter led the parade for his final appearance as Uncle Sam. The top hat is being passed on to George Ford. Thank you Al for your many years of dedication as “Uncle Sam”.

The members of the parade committee began planning in January. The 2007 parade theme “Preserve the Tradition” included over 13 bands, The Boston Crusaders Senior Drum & Bugle Corp., The Satuit Band, The Roma Band & St. Alfios Band just to name a few! There were 16 floats from local organizations and residents, marching groups representing town youth and high school athletic teams as well as many people’s favorites, the Crow Point Marching Kazoo Band. There were many reenactment groups from the civil and revolutionary wars, antique and classic cars as well as ponies and horses. Participants were cheered on by nearly 10,000 spectators lining the parade route.

In honor of the Hingham Police Department’s 100 year Anniversary, the Grand Marshals were Sam Amonte retired from the Hingham Police Department and Retired Police Chief Bud Campbell. The committee felt that these two gentlemen exemplified the proud tradition of the Hingham Police Department. We want to thank Fred Shaw of Shaw Saab for graciously donating and driving the car that the Grand Marshall rides in every year.

Each year the fifth grade classes from all three elementary schools compete for the best illustration representing the year’s parade theme. For 2007 the winning design was drawn by Sarah O’Connor, of South Elementary School. The winning image is made into our fundraiser button which members of the Hingham/Hull Rotary club help us sell the day of the parade.

The annual Stars and Stripes Golf Tournament was a great success again this year. Many thanks to our major sponsor A.W. Perry, Gold Sponsors Talbot’s & Linden Ponds all well as all of our sponsors, a complete listing is available on our website www.hingham-ma.gov under committees. We are very thankful for the support of ALL of our sponsors and golfers. Their support allows us to hire the bands and marching units that everyone enjoys.

The parade committee greatly appreciates the support given by the residents and the many Town Departments. In particular we would like to thank Lt. Glenn Olsson of the Hingham Police Department for being our liaison, the entire Police and Fire Departments, Joe Stigliani, Superintendent of the DPW and the entire Department of Public Works who work so diligently to make sure everything is set up and cleaned up before and after the parade. Also, Dr. Dorothy Galo, Superintendent of Hingham Public Schools and the 5th grade Art Teachers for doing the button design every year, Aquarian Water Company for providing water to parade participants, the Selectmen and Town Administrator Charlie Cristello for their continued support. The committee would also like to thank Mary Ford, Editor of The Hingham Journal and Carol Britton Myer Reporter for the Hingham Journal for their continued support, and publicity.

If you would like to be a part of the committee or participate in the parade or golf tournament please contact Mary Ann Blackmur 781-749-4452 or mblackmur@comcast.net .