The Bay State Band played Yankee Doodle and God Bless America. Born in the USA blasted from the Rotary Club’s float speakers. The Martha’s Vineyard Scottish Society had bagpipes, the Peace Society marched, the girls’ tennis float boasted a State Champions sign. Camp Jabberwocky kids sang their anthems. World War II veteran Fred B. Morgan Jr. led the whole parade, this year from a golf cart.
Edgartown’s annual Fourth of July Parade welcomed the entire Martha's Vineyard community Monday on a beautiful summer afternoon.
Main street was alive with people, color and festivities to mark the national holiday.
On the sidewalks, boys and girls held out hands for flying candy. American flags of all sizes waved high and proud. Everyone wore red, white, or blue and many people wore all three.
Before the parade, floats lined up at the Edgartown School. With selectman Arthur Smadbeck as judge, Martha’s Vineyard Youth Hockey won Most Patriotic, Camp Jabberwocky won Best Float, Girls Tennis captured the Special Award, and the MV Hurricanes were named Most Original.
The route started at the Edgartown School and continued down Main Street before turning onto Pease’s Point Way. Along the way, Sara Piazza and her traditional Irish music group greeted passing vehicles. Ms. Piazza’s home, known as the Allison Boylston Piazza House, hosted live Irish music during the parade for the sixth consecutive year.
Vehicles rounding The Harbor View passed through a charcoal aroma spewing from the hotel’s outdoor barbecue. Sack races, face painting and arts and crafts booths entertained a sea of kids while adults enjoyed the hotel’s live band inside.
“We have generations of families that come this week for the parade,” said Harbor View general manager Andrew Bartlett. He applauded the parade for its timeless tradition.
“It brings everyone into town,” he said.
Children decorating sidewalks dropped their chalk once the parade turned onto North Water street, scrambling over one another, trying their best to collect as much candy possible. From their Alice in Wonderland float, Camp Jabberwocky campers tossed the treats into the crowd.
“They’re very proud of their work,” said Johannah Romero (JoJo) de Slavy, now in her 27th year at the camp.
“All the teacups were painted by a combination of counselors and campers which is exciting,” she said.
Turning up Main street, the parade passed by Father Michael Nagle and Good Shepherd Parish’s lobster roll food sale. Chilmark Chocolates donated more than $700 worth of chocolate to help the parish raise money for their youth programs.
Joseph E. Sollitto Jr. was parade grand marshal, while Kristy Rose was in charge of logistics. For that, Mr. Sollitto was grateful.
“She’s the sergeant major,” he said of Ms. Rose.
Ms. Rose called the bands, booked ferry rides and hotel rooms, and made sure the fireworks guys were accounted for. Directing floats was her own personal grand finale and she dressed the part, complete with a patriotic sun umbrella and giant flowers in her hair.
Fireworks at dusk will be the last hurrah of this Fourth of July.
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