GREENFIELD — Families have been staking claim to self-assigned spots on the roadside with foldable chairs or blankets for decades or, in some cases, the first time, to watch the annual Franklin County Fair parade.
For many of the attendees, the parade is a tradition — a time to get together with family and community.
For Greenfield resident Emily Peirce, watching the parade, which proceeded from Greenfield Middle School to the fairgrounds on Wisdom Way Thursday, meant reviving a family tradition with her 11-month-old daughter.
“We moved back to Greenfield to be closer to family,” she said. “I haven’t seen the parade since I was 10 years old. It’s a great place to see friends, see the same floats from when I was a kid — and new things, too. It’s just fun.”
The parade kicked off the 171st fair with horns, songs and shouts from the hundreds of people lining the streets of the parade route. That crowd included South Deerfield resident Pat Vielmetti, who attended to spend time with her granddaughter.
“This is my granddaughter’s second parade. I love seeing her watch the parade,” Vielmetti said. “That’s the best part to me. I also like seeing the Davenport trucks because my nephew is driving one of them.”
Gina Roy and her son, Orion Lindermann, 4, of Greenfield, said they walked to the parade from their home. Orion said his favorite part was the fire trucks.
“We come to the parade every year,” Roy said. “It’s great just seeing everyone in town come together.”
Greenfield residents Karen and Bob Davis attend every year, too.
“We’re townies,” Karen Davis said. “My granddaughter was in the parade and got to see her perform. I like to see the floats and the honor guard. I’m a veteran, so I appreciate that. It’s good to see the Shriners here, too. They do an awesome job.”
Marchers included a variety of nonprofits, agricultural organizations, local businesses and marching bands.
Greenfield High School cheerleaders, sophomore Samantha Murray and senior Captain Hennessey Perez, said they march in the parade to support the Green Wave.
“This is my first year marching in the parade,” Murray said. “I love seeing all of the little girls along the parade route. They like seeing us.”
“I love seeing the community come out and to support the Green Wave,” added Perez, who participated in the parade for the second year. “We get to dance, show pride and get recognized.”
Leyden resident Linda Baker marched with the Relay For Life float.
“We do the relay every year, and we want to teach people about it and cancer,” she said. “But I like the parade because I love the atmosphere, the floats. It’s a lot of fun. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun.”
Sunderland resident Steven Helgerson cruised in his light blue 1968 Oldsmobile 442 for the second year.
“I brought the car here last year and I was asked to come back again, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to see people I haven’t seen for a while,” Helgerson said. “And I get to show off the car.”
Human Services: First place — Charlene Manor; second place — Poet’s Seat Health Care; third place — Baystate Franklin Medical Center.
Performing Arts: First place — North County Line Dancers; second place — Skeleton Crew Theatre; third place — Arena Civic Theatre.
Open: First place — Relay For Life Dick’s Angels; second place — Greenfield Savings Bank; third place — Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory.
Agricultural: First place — Pandora Pony Pals; second place — Lafave Plumbing.
Antique: First place — Peter LaPlante; second place — Lamore Lumber; third place — Larry Parker.
Band: First place — Franklin County Technical School; second place — Pioneer Valley Regional School.
The four-day fair will continue through Sunday. Visit fcas.com for a full schedule of events.
Reach Melina Bourdeau at mbourdeau@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263.