“Event of the Year” to Mark Town’s 350th Anniversary

By Grace Allen

In a year full of celebrations, the town of Wrentham will hold the biggest parade in its history this month. While many events have been planned to mark the town’s 350th anniversary, the parade, scheduled for Saturday, September 16, will be one of the most memorable, say organizers.

“This is definitely not going to be your typical small-town parade,” said Kristen Andreozzi, a member of the 350th Anniversary Committee. 

The parade will kick off at noon from the Rice Complex on Emerald Street, travel down Shears Street, continue onto Franklin Street and take a right on South Street (Rt. 1A). The parade will finish at Randall Road (King Philip Plaza).

 

Residents should consider walking into town if possible, as parking will be at a premium and many roads will be closed. Some spectator parking will be available in a few locations: Rice Field Complex, King Philip High School, the Delaney School, the courthouse, in the new center lot, Rice Field Complex, and at the American Legion. Shuttle buses will run from the Legion.

The rolling parade will last close to two-and-a-half hours,so people are advised to bring lawn chairs and coolers and settle in for a while. The parade will be held rain or shine, and portable toilets will be available along the route.

Local and national bands, military color guards, fife and drum corps, Scouts, local and state police, and fire departments will march. Town and regional organizations will be well represented in the floats, as well as area dance schools. Performers, such as jugglers, puppeteers, and stilt walkers, will also entertain the crowds.

Even the Philadelphia Mummers will be there.

The 350th Anniversary Committee has been planning the parade for close to two years. When Wrentham turned 300, there was also a big parade and hundreds of people came out to watch, although it was pouring rain that day. The town was much smaller fifty years ago, of course, so organizers expect a lot more people to attend this time and they want them to know it will be worth the effort.

Committee Chair Ed Goddard stated, “This will be the largest and most expensive parade in Wrentham’s 350-year history, with more than sixty national, regional, and local groups participating.”

Organizers say the parade is made possible through generous donations from area businesses, residents, and corporate sponsors. Donations are still being accepted and sponsorships are still available to help with parade costs and some of the other upcoming anniversary events this year. Donations of a certain level will be recognized and those donors will also receive tickets to the gala planned for December 2 at Lake Pearl Luciano’s. It is expected that tickets to that event will sell out quickly.

Andreozzi says the town’s residents have enthusiastically participated in all of the year’s celebrations so far, so the anniversary committee expects crowds of people for the parade, too. 

“This will absolutely be memorable, and we do feel it will be the event of the year because it’s for everyone of all ages,” she said. “We think it’s going to be an incredible afternoon. It’s really going to be amazing.”

Cable 8 will livestream the parade for anyone who can’t attend. Check wrentham350.com or the group’s Facebook page for more information about the parade, including any updates, closer to the date.