Fourth of July Parade Marshal Paul Federici, right, alongside his wife, Darlene. Reminder Publishing photos by Sophie Markham
EAST LONGMEADOW — Residents from East Longmeadow and throughout Greater Springfield and northern Connecticut gathered to enjoy East Longmeadow’s annual Fourth of July parade.
This year’s grand marshal was Paul Federici, a former selectman and town councilor who has also served as a member of the parade committee since 2005.
After the parade, the committee announced its award winners.
Fire departments
Best Appearing Pumper: Shaker Pines 2019 Sutphen
Best Appearing Overall Apparatus: Longmeadow Fire Department 2005 F550 Brush Truck
Best Appearing Antique: Hampden Fire Department 1937 Ford
Musical units
Best Marching Unit: The Yankee Doodle Band
Best Color Guard: Windsor Fife and Drum Corps
Best Fife & Drum: Marquis of Granby Fife & Drum
General Overall Effect: Trailer Trash
Most Entertaining Musical Unit: Polish American String Band
People’s Choice Award: 7Roads
Community Spirit Award: Great American Marching Band
Patriotic floats
First place: South Hadley Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
Second place: to Lenox American Saw
Third place: East Longmeadow’s girls lacrosse team
Hometown floats
First place: Alliance Dental Care
Second place: Brew Practitioners, LLC
Third place: Maybury Material Handling Cruise
Open class
First place: Springfield Lodge of Elks 61
Second place: The Chicopee Parade Committee
Third place: The Springfield Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee
The Springfield Colleen Emma Feeley and her court – Madelyn Johnson, Bridget Laviolette, Feeley, and Caitlin Dowd.Mckenna Torres, 4, of East Longmeadow in full 4th of July attireJen and Tom Brown sat alongside Maple Street with a perfect view of the parade.Jessica Neiswender, Katie Heald, Sabina McCarthy enjoying a street side view of the parade.EJ Smith, 3, of East LongmeadowA portable prize cart made their rounds throughout the parade.The East Longmeadow Fire Department.The American Legion Yankee Doodle Band.The East Longmeadow American Legion Post 293.A member of the East Longmeadow American Legion Post 293 riding around on a mini dirt bike.The Westover Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol.Gordon Smith, superintendent of the East Longmeadow Public Schools.The Hampden County Sheriff’s Department.Members of the Hampden County Sheriff Department riding in on horseback throughout the parade.U.S. Rep. Richard E. NealSpringfield Mayor Dominic J. SarnoThe Mandalorion and Grogu (baby yoda) made an exciting appearance alongside the 501st Legion.The East Longmeadow youth softball teamA member of the East Longmeadow youth softball teamThe East Longmeadow youth baseball team travels through the parade in style.The East Longmeadow youth baseball teamMiss Western Massachusetts Meaghan KalbaughMs. Senior Massachusetts Victoria WrightThe East Longmeadow youth cheerleading teamA gentleman hands an American flag to a young parade go-er.Pauline Lamothe, 102, lifelong resident of Springfield, MA who was given ‘Pauline Lamothe Day’ on her 101st birthday, declaring July 23 as her day in the city of SpringfieldTwo young gentlemen toss candy out to parade spectators during the route.A Kelly Fradet Lumber mini mobileThe Windsor and Drum Corps based out of Windsor, ConnecticutAmerican flags surrounded by bubbles floating throughout the parade.The Thunderbirds’ very own Boomer.Two members of the Junior Yellow Jackets Greater Springfield Youth Hockey Association in partnership with American International College.The Marquis of Granby Ancient Fyfe and Drum Corps of Granby, Connecticut
