Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, Wakefield, Mass.

Title

4th of July Parade 1953

Description

"Thousands of spectators watched the 4th of July Parade along the route that started at the West Side Social Club headquarters and ended at the Common. It was said to be the 'largest crowd ever.' In the center of the photo is a new 1953 Chevrolet which was awarded to a lucky winner after the fireworks. It was preceded by an old Chevy with a sign 'This Is Not It' which was said to have delighted the crowd. A panel of three judged the floats, and the top prize winner of $75 was the American Legion with its circus wagon, complete with two 'wild' animals, performers, clowns, balloons and circus music. Its theme was 'The American Way of Life.' Winning second prize of $50 was the Wakefield V.F.W. Post with its theme, 'Where is Your Son?' which was said to strike a 'poignant note to the heart' of those parents whose sons were fighting in the Korean War, were prisoners of war at the time, or who had lost their lives. Third and fourth place winners of $35 and $25 respectively, were the Red Men, with their depiction of an Indian Village 'World Need Smoke Peace Pipe,' and the Crystal Community Club, with its theme of how healthy play for children is one of the freedoms of living in the United States. Surrounding the Statue of Liberty were the members of the club's Little League team. The festivities began on July 3rd with a doll carriage parade at 7 p.m. followed by a block dance and concert featuring Colman's Orchestra from 8-11 p.m., a firefighter pole slide and hose race at 8:15, a bonfire and firefighting exhibition at 10:15, conculding with the aerial act and fireworks spray. On July 4th, the pet show, races, novelty events and free ice cream were held from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. The WSSC and WBZ-TV program began at 11:30 a.m. and the parade was kicked off with a 21-48 gun salute by a 155MM Howitzer at 2 p.m. The afternoon activites included a yacht race, aerial acts, drill exhibitions by Most Precious Blood and Norman Prince Post VFW, flyovers by a USAF plane and civilian air patrol aircraft, and a fireworks display." -- Text from calendar by Jayne M. D'Onofrio.

Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 2003

Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.

Contributor

Institution: Lucius Beebe Memorial Library

Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (Wakefield, Mass.)

D'Onofrio, Jayne M.

Coverage

Massachusetts--Middlesex (county)--Wakefield

Date

07-04-1953

Format

image/jpeg

Publisher

[Wakefield, Mass.] : Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department

Subject

Fourth of July celebrations

Parades

Type

still image

Photographs

Original Format

1 picture : b&w

Extent

24x32 cm.