For the 68th year, the Hampton Ponds Association will hold its annual Fourth of July Parade. Here is a photo from a past parade.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
WESTFIELD — The Hampton Ponds Association will host its 68th annual Fourth of July parade to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary, featuring decorated floats, clip-clopping horses, a tribute to local veterans and speeches by local officials.
“The theme of this year’s celebration is the country’s 250th birthday,” said Hampton Ponds Association member Rick Epstein about this year’s parade, which takes place rain or shine.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, at Hampton Ponds Plaza, marches down North Road on Route 202 and finishes in the Froggy’s Saloon parking lot.
This year’s parade marshal is Sean Gaffney, who has been the field operations team leader at Hampton Ponds State Park since 2018. He also oversees the Robinson State Park in Feeding Hills and the Chicopee Memorial State Park.
“Sean has been an effective park supervisor and a good friend to the Hampton Ponds community. He is always responsive, helpful and cooperative when issues arise,” said Susan McFarlin, president of the Hampton Ponds Association.
Like a traditional parade, Epstein said there will be fire trucks from the Westfield and Southampton Fire departments, with emergency lights flashing and sirens blaring; cruisers from the Westfield Police Department; local farmers with their tractors; friends and neighbors participating, representatives from the Whip City Animal Sanctuary; and, of course, floats.
Epstein said the association’s float will also feature a 250th-birthday theme.
This year, the parade will have several decorated boats, floats from various organizations and music in the parade performed by Sarah the Fiddler and the Aquatudes. The latter is a surf-rock band from central Connecticut that plays rock ‘n’ roll.
New this year will be a visit by Sam MacMunn, a member of the reenactment group, the Knox Artillery Regiment.
There will also be horses from Westfield’s AJ Stables and big rigs from K&J Tree Service Southampton.
He also encouraged children in the area to decorate their bicycles, tricycles or scooters and participate in the parade.
“We’ll be awarding trophies to the kids who have the best decorated bike or scooter,” Epstein said.
Those who attend can also show their appreciation for local veterans who will march, representing the country and their veteran organizations.
After the parade, there will be a celebration at Froggy’s Saloon and a ceremony to honor veterans with free refreshments and snacks.
During the veterans’ ceremony, Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe and state Sen. John Velis will make remarks. Southampton’s Carol Barcomb will sing “Proud to Be an American.”
The culmination of the celebration will be a scholarship presentation by the Hampton Ponds Association to local high school students.
The recipients of the Hampton Ponds Association Scholarship, a $750 award, are Sophia M. Lentini, a Westfield High School graduate who will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to study biotech engineering; Teagan Chisholm-Godshalk, a Westfield High School graduate who will attend College of the Holy Cross to study pre-med; and Emma M. Tisdell, a Smith Academy graduate who will attend Sacred Heart University to study physical therapy.
The recipient of the Lambert-Pezzini Memorial Scholarship is Maggie G. Leen, a Westfield High School graduate who will attend Clark University to study psychology.
The recipient of the Nelson and Jean Dionne Family Scholarship is Haleigh E. Johnson, a Westfield High School graduate who will attend Bay Path University to study interior design.
The recipient of the Michael P. Peretti Memorial Scholarship is Annabeth G. Lemberg, a Saint Mary’s High School graduate who will attend the University of St. Joseph to study nursing.
“People who want to have a great time should bring a chair and come early for the best place to enjoy the parade. There are plenty of places to pull over on the parade route,” Epstein said.
