Jingle bells, holiday lights and other Christmas embellishments will adorn floats, antique vehicles, fire trucks and more as the Medway Christmas Parade reaches its 25th year on Saturday, November 25th, at 5:30 p.m. The parade begins at Medway Middle School on Holliston Street, proceeding around the corner to Main Street, up to Choate Park.
“You’re talking about a wonderful Medway tradition, and that’s what I want this to be about,” says Parrella, who chairs the Medway Christmas Parade Committee. “We’re not a religious group, but Christmas is a national holiday. We want to offer everyone good health, prosperity and peace, regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion. It doesn’t matter. That’s what we’re about, and that’s what it should be all year, but we want to emphasize it in the Christmas season.”
As with previous years, Parrella says, “we are going to have a large contingent fire apparatus – -- and awards are given for various types of fire apparatus,” says Parrella. Last year, we had 40 fire trucks in our parade.” Parrella says the fire truck parade has become an event in itself among the firefighting crowd, with towns far and wide taking part.
“The farthest was from Maine; and we had one from Providence, some from Rhode Island, western Mass. with a couple of antique trucks. We’ve had them from all over the area, and there’s a collation at the fire station for those who are participating. All the trucks are given awards, such as ‘oldest,’ and ‘best-lit,’ and ‘farthest.’ Even the city of Boston sent a truck last year. Michael Boynton, town administrator, he’s a fire department buff and coordinates whole thing with the Medway Fire Association,” says Parrella.
“Also in the parade, we have a number of floats donated by Mickey Rojee and family, and Santa Claus is going to have one of those floats, always the last float,” says Parrella. “We also invite residents to participate with antique cars, trucks, antique commercial vehicles. Different organizations and groups do that sometimes. They meet at the Medway Middle School at 5 p.m., and they should try to notify us if they can.”
Santa, of course, will arrive via Medway Fire Department escort to Choate Park, where the tree lighting and presentation of Grand Marshalls and a special 25th anniversary commemorative plaque listing past Grand Marshalls will be followed by Visits with Santa at the Thayer House.
The 2017 Christmas Parade Grand Marshalls include :
Medway Police officers Dave McRoberts, Donald “Punky “ Grimes, Richard Simard and William Boultonhouse, as well as Fred Sybley, of the Medway DPS. Medway’s oldest resident, Doris Wilbur, has also been asked to ride along in the parade.
“Last year, we had a new tree installed,” says Parrella. “The tree was donated by the Robert Marzilli Company.” The Medway Christmas Parade Committee works to put up decorations and lights, with help from Medway Fire, he says.
Santa will visit with local children at the Thayer House, where parents can take their own photos.
“Pictures with Santa are no charge,” says Parrella, although concession costs will help fund the costs of the Christmas Parade.
Parrella once again notes that the Medway Christmas Parade is 100% privately funded by individuals and businesses. He cannot say enough about several major sponsors, especially, he says, Charles River Bank, who have kept the Medway Christmas Parade alive all these years. “We have to raise over $11,000, and at least half goes to the fireworks display as part of the ending ceremonies,” says Parrella, referring to the fireworks lit over Choate Pond provided by American Thunder Fireworks, who, Parrella says, have provided fireworks for the event “since day one.”
In addition to major business sponsors, the town-wide yard sale saw 78 yard sales this year, and with maps sold, the event raised over $1,300 that served as a good kickoff to Medway Christmas Parade fundraising.
Parrella says he would love to see more individuals chip in to keep the parade happening. The Medway Christmas Parade committee will have cash canisters located around town, including at Anne’s Market and Town Hall, and donations are graciously accepted. There’s also a link online at www.townofmedway.org. You can also mail a donation to the Medway Christmas Parade at:
Medway Christmas Parade Committee
c/o 36 Alder Street
Medway, MA 02053