Hometown Parade on Deck

Parade information submitted by Janell Cameron.

Beautiful weather and a full line-up promise a fine hometown Fourth of July Parade on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

Starting at Congregation at 55 Atlantic Ave., bands, and Swampscott teams and officials will wend their way to Town Hall where .

The seniors on the Big Blue football team and cheerleaders are anchors of the parade.

All-Stars from boys and girls' sports teams wear uniforms and ride on a decorated float or in a truck.

The three elementary schools have hired a trolley car this year and the kids usually all dress in red, white, and blue.  

Selectmen and representatives of other town groups are in the mix as bands play patriotic songs and catchy tunes.  

"This year we also have a calliope," the parade organizer said.

Townspeople young and old line up their lawn chairs on Humphrey St. to wave and clap and shout as the parade advances to the Strawberry Festival on the Town Hall lawn.   

"The elders at theAssisted Living are usually lined up out front in their wheelchairs and are excited to see all the kids," Cameron said.

The parade is a time for people to see some familiar faces and some new faces.

For some, it may be that the last time they saw each other was last year's parade.  

On the Town Hall lawn people stand shoulder-to-shoulder in their little community by the sea.