SHELBURNE FALLS — A patriotic spirit reigned over the Iron Bridge Tuesday, as young and old waved American flags in rhythm with those marching in the annual Fourth of July Independence Day parade put on by Cub Scouts Pack 85.
Festivities began with the parade through the town’s center, stepping off at 11:30 a.m., and ended with a chicken barbecue at the Buckland Shelburne Elementary School. The parade featured classic cars, restored tractors, an old fashioned bicycle, floats and dozens of fire engines from surrounding towns. War veterans, brass bands and Pack 8 Scouts riding bicycles were all part of the procession.
“We came for lunch and stumbled on to this awesome parade,” said Janice Pare-Wichern, who was there with husband, Gordon Wichern, and young daughter Eliette.
For some, Tuesday’s parade was a first-time experience. But for many others among the hundreds gathered along Bridge Street in both Buckland and Shelburne Falls, the day’s event was an annual tradition.
“I can’t count them all,” said local resident Donna Shippee, sitting on the Buckland side of the bridge watching her husband of more than 50 years, Korean Veteran John Shippee, march with other veterans — for whom the July Fourth holiday holds particular significance.
“I’m proud to have served this country — and without my predecessors, we wouldn’t have this country,” said retired Master Sgt. and Buckland resident Rick Grant. He said the annual parade “is almost like a reunion” for local veterans.
In total, parade organizers estimated 800 to 1,000 people flooded the town to celebrate Independence Day. And during the chicken barbecue, all 300 tickets sold out before 1 p.m.
Both the crowd and participation in the parade this year was bigger because of Conway’s 250th, said organizer Steve Finck. He said he made it a point to hand out fliers in Conway about the parade. Finck was standing over dozens of sizzling chicken halves, while behind him, a line of people wrapping around the school waited to be served.
Tuesday’s festivities were the result of “about eight to ten months” of planning, Finck said, and a lot of hard work from volunteers who cooked and served food. Among those volunteers was Cub Scout Armando Gonzalez, 8, who rode a scooter in the parade and helped serve food after.
Not far away, children jumped in a bounce house in front of large letters that spelled “proud to be an American.” Elsewhere, the Shelburne Falls Military Band performed on the lawn, where about 50 people were seated in warm sunshine.
“It’s always fun, it’s a great community band, and it’s great we have one,” said local resident Judy Hadley, whose husband, Paul Hadley, played the French Horn.
Throughout the day, local stores received a boost in business because of increased foot traffic. Before the parade, event goers stocked up on water and snacks at McCusker’s Market. After, Mo’s Fudge Factor, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary Friday, was crowded with customers escaping the heat for a sweet treat.
“It was fantastic, and I liked it a lot,” said young Anthony Avioen, eating ice cream and playing checkers in the store’s front window with his mother, Tara Herzig.
“The Fourth is slammed for us,” said Natasha Olanyk, pausing from scooping ice cream. “So far, it’s been our busiest year in town, ever.”
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