The Flag Day Parade is an annual parade in Dedham, Massachusetts that celebrates Flag Day. The parade began in 1967 and quickly became one of Dedham's most beloved traditions.[1]
The parade has occasionally rejected controversial floats. In 1975, the Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously refused to allow an anti-busing float during the nearby Boston desegregation busing crisis.[2] In 1971, after Arthur "Mr. Wake Up America" Stivaletta claimed to be a co-sponsor of the parade, Recreation Director James E. Dunderdale publicly clarified that the Parks and Recreation Department was the only sponsor.[3]
After Proposition 2½ led to the elimination of the Recreation Director position in 1980, Anthony "JuJu" Muccaccio took over the position for a year pro bono.[4] He was then hired full time and began running the parade, an activity he continued even after his retirement in 2010.[4]
In 2017, for the 50th anniversary, the parade was moved from the traditional June 14th to Saturday, June 17, to accommodate the fireworks at Memorial Park that were part of the celebration.[5][6] The parade was nearly cancelled following the financial crisis of 2007–2008, but a fundraising campaign saved it.[7] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade was canceled in 2020 and 2021. In its place, an unofficial "rolling rally" of cars was held in its place along the same route.[8]
Route
editThe parade takes the following route:[9]
- Starts on East Street at Dedham Middle School,
- Proceeds down East street and left onto High Street,
- Follows High Street into Dedham Square past the Community Theater,
- Turns right onto Washington Street,
- Turns right onto Harris Street,
- Proceeds down High Street to East Dedham,
- Turns right on Milton Street,
- Turns right onto Walnut Street,
- Turns left onto Oakdale Avenue,
- Turns right onto Sanderson Avenue,
- Turns right onto Mt. Vernon Street,
- Turns left onto Whiting Avenue
- Parade ends at Memorial Park.
Grand marshals
edit| Year | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Marie-Louise Kehoe | [7] |
| 2013 | Kevin Hughes | [10] |
| 2015 | Bob Aldous | [1] |
| 2023 | Nancy Clement | |
| 2024 | Dennis Teehan, Sr. | [11] |
References
edit- ^ a b Heald, Hana Janjigian (June 12, 2015). "Dedham's 48th Annual Flag Day Parade Set for Sunday". The Dedham Times. p. 1.
- ^ "Dedham says no antibusing float". The Boston Globe. June 11, 1975. p. 48. Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Blake, Andrew (June 15, 1971). "Flag Day Parade organizer furls a would-be sponsor's banner". The Boston Globe. p. 19. Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Seltz, Joanna (October 28, 2010). "Dedham Rec retiree staying busy". The Boston Globe. p. P4. Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Martin, E.F. (November 18, 2016). "Fireworks to Celebrate the Flag in June". The Dedham Times.
- ^ Bowen, Max (June 20, 2017). "Dedham Flag Day parade". The Dedham Transcript. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ a b Bolton, Michelle Morgan (June 7, 2009). "Rallying Around Flag Day". The Boston Globe. p. SO2. Retrieved October 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "NEW! Dedham "Flag Day Rolling Rally!" June 27, 2021". DedhamTV. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ "Dedham to celebrate Flag Day with parade". The Dedham Transcript. June 10, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ "Kevin Hughes". Legacy.com. November 13, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
- ^ "A lifetime of dedication and service; reflections from Dedham's Dennis Teehan Sr". The Dedham Times. Vol. 32, no. 24. June 14, 2024. p. 1.