The Flag Day Parade is an annual parade in Dedham, Massachusetts that celebrates Flag Day. The parade began in 1967 and quickly became one of Dedham's most beloved traditions. [1]
The parade has occasionally rejected controversial floats. In 1975, the Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously refused to allow an anti-busing float during the nearby Boston desegregation busing crisis. [2] In 1971, after Arthur "Mr. Wake Up America" Stivaletta claimed to be a co-sponsor of the parade, Recreation Director James E. Dunderdale publicly clarified that the Parks and Recreation Department was the only sponsor. [3]
After Proposition 2½ led to the elimination of the Recreation Director position in 1980, Anthony "JuJu" Muccaccio took over the position for a year pro bono. [4] He was then hired full time and began running the parade, an activity he continued even after his retirement in 2010. [4]
In 2017, for the 50th anniversary, the parade was moved from the traditional June 14th to Saturday, June 17, to accommodate the fireworks at Memorial Park that were part of the celebration. [5] [6] The parade was nearly cancelled following the financial crisis of 2007–2008, but a fundraising campaign saved it. [7] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade was canceled in 2020 and 2021. In its place, an unofficial "rolling rally" of cars was held in its place along the same route. [8]
The parade takes the following route: [9]
Year | Name | Notes |
---|---|---|
2009 | Marie-Louise Kehoe | [7] |
2013 | Kevin Hughes | [10] |
2015 | Bob Aldous | [1] |
2023 | Nancy Clement |
The Flag Day Parade is an annual parade in Dedham, Massachusetts that celebrates Flag Day. The parade began in 1967 and quickly became one of Dedham's most beloved traditions. [1]
The parade has occasionally rejected controversial floats. In 1975, the Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously refused to allow an anti-busing float during the nearby Boston desegregation busing crisis. [2] In 1971, after Arthur "Mr. Wake Up America" Stivaletta claimed to be a co-sponsor of the parade, Recreation Director James E. Dunderdale publicly clarified that the Parks and Recreation Department was the only sponsor. [3]
After Proposition 2½ led to the elimination of the Recreation Director position in 1980, Anthony "JuJu" Muccaccio took over the position for a year pro bono. [4] He was then hired full time and began running the parade, an activity he continued even after his retirement in 2010. [4]
In 2017, for the 50th anniversary, the parade was moved from the traditional June 14th to Saturday, June 17, to accommodate the fireworks at Memorial Park that were part of the celebration. [5] [6] The parade was nearly cancelled following the financial crisis of 2007–2008, but a fundraising campaign saved it. [7] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the parade was canceled in 2020 and 2021. In its place, an unofficial "rolling rally" of cars was held in its place along the same route. [8]
The parade takes the following route: [9]
Year | Name | Notes |
---|---|---|
2009 | Marie-Louise Kehoe | [7] |
2013 | Kevin Hughes | [10] |
2015 | Bob Aldous | [1] |
2023 | Nancy Clement |