Wyben parade revelers celebrate the Fourth of July during the community’s annual parade last year.
Reminder Publishing file photo
WESTFIELD — The Wyben Parade Committee has announced that “Farming for America” will be the theme of its 74th Annual Fourth of July parade and that the committee is adding a new event on the nation’s birthday — a family kickball game.
“Because we have a lot of new and young families, we decided to add a new event for them,” said Sue Crane, who is a member of the community’s parade committee, adding that the community, through a social media site poll, supported adding kickball as part of the day’s activities.
“We figure it’s a fun game that kids and adults could take advantage of,” she said.
The game will “kick off” at 9 a.m. at the Hartley ballfield on Montgomery Road, and the committee is hoping for great turnout, Crane said.
When the committee was bouncing around ideas for this year’s parade theme, they decided, at the suggestion of Liz Provo, it would be “Farming in America.”
“The committee asked the Wyben community for ideas for a theme and this seemed to resonate with residents and committee members,” she said.
Crane said part of the reason for the farming theme was the success of the Lighted Tractor Christmas parade — “it exceeded our expectation” — and the role agriculture has in shaping the community since it was founded in 1669.
With a focus on farming, the committee is asking all those involved in agriculture to be a part of the parade, which lines up at 4:30 p.m. and steps off at 5 p.m. at the corner of North and Montgomery roads in the rural northwestern corner of Westfield.
“Their presence reminds us how vital farmers are to all of us … it remains a backbone of our community,” she said. “We’re asking for those with any type of antique vehicle, tractor, or farm implement be part of the parade.”
She also asked the community to participate with patriotic themed cars, trucks, quads, bicycles or wagons.
“This will add a spark to the parade,” she said.
And for even more of a spark, the parade committee is asking for those who have farm animals to participate.
“We’re really hoping farmers can bring mules, donkeys, goats, pigs and horses … anything that can walk or be pulled on a trailer,” Crane said.
The grand marshals of the parade will be Brian and Kathy Hartley. Their family has lived at Montgomery and West road for five generations, running the former Wyben Orchards and sharing homegrown produce. They continue to serve Wyben through events and community support, Crane said.
Marching and performing in the parade will be the Westfield High and Middle School bands playing patriotic-themed music.
And there will also be a special performance by Wyben’s own Ed Bentley, who will be singing and playing guitar.
“Having music reminds us that music helps bring people together,” Crane said.
There will be trucks from the Westfield Fire Department and equipment and cruisers from the Westfield Police Department will participate in the parade, she said.
“We’ll also have city officials marching in the parade showing love for our city and country,” she said.
“The committee hopes to see large crowds helping us celebrate farmers across the region,” she said.
Harry and Anne Rock will broadcast the parade for WCPC, Westfield’s cable television channel.
“The committee appreciates them ensuring the parade is viewed by all those interested and documenting for future generations to enjoy,” Crane said.
Members of the Wyben Parade Committee are Bob Allen, Jim Bemis, Greg Bolduc, Crystal Bryant, Carlee Collins, Sue and Tim Crane, Brian and Kathy Hartley, Deb Hayden, Ryan Karolides and Dan Puza.
For more information, visit facebook.com/wybenassociation and send a direct message.
