Published by The Boston Globe
Independence Day is right around the corner, but last-minute preparations are still underway for the Needham Fourth of July celebrations, set to take place on July 4 and 5 this year at Memorial Park.
This year’s community donations are ahead of the numbers for this time last year, but the event’s sponsor, the Needham Exchange Club, is still fundraising.
“We hope it’s a sign the economy is getting better. We’re cautiously optimistic,” said Cindy Chasten, a tri-chair of the celebration. “It’s a longstanding tradition in Needham, so local businesses and individuals are very supportive.”
The whole celebration, including fireworks, parades, equipment and police detail, costs $90,000 and is funded mostly by donations and partly by food sales, Chasten said.
The two-day festival includes familiar and favorite events, such as a performance by “Boston’s Best Oldies Band” The Reminisants before the fireworks on Sunday night and the Grande Parade on Monday. New in the lineup is a DJ early Sunday evening as a shout out to the 'tween crowd. There will also be pony rides and balloon animals for the little ones.
“We always get a huge crowd for the fireworks,” Chasten said. “The musicals groups always remark how spirited the crowd is.”
Food and entertainment will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, and fireworks are set to blast off at 9.
Monday morning, the children’s parade at Greene’s Field kicks off at 8:30 a.m., followed at 9 a.m. by a flag raising in the Town Common and the Grand Parade in Memorial Park.
Securing floats has been more difficult over the years because the commitment requires a lot of time, Chasten said. Some neighborhood groups, however, return to the parade every year with a float, such as the St. Joseph’s Summer Theater Group students and a group of clowns.
Speaking of circus antics, all local and state politicians have been invited to ride through the parade in convertibles, but campaigning is forbidden. Instead, politicians will promote patriotic themes, like the Needham Republican Town Committee’s float entitled “Voters Celebrate Democracy.”
State Rep. Lida Harkins of Needham, who is not seeking re-election, will ride in her own car as a thank you for her 22 years of service.
Minutemen will march and fire celebratory shots, though at a distance from the Massachusetts National Lancers “so they don’t spook the horses,” Chasten said.
Other floats include the “Book Cart Drill Team” from the Needham Free Public Library, the “Baha Car” from Olin College, “Opera on the Go!” from Longwood Opera and a float celebrating Needham’s 299th birthday.
Aside from patriotic events, the celebration will also include the annual 5K road race starting at Carter Memorial Church at 8:45 a.m., performances by The Centre Streeters and country and bluegrass band Gazebo, food, a craft fair, children’s contests on the football field, a swim meet at Rosemary Pool and the Needham Little League All-Star Game.
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