The parade grand marshal || Cam Tracy A truck in the parade || Cam Tracy Softball’s truck || Cam Tracy The Swampscott Tides hit the parade || Cam Tracy Mascots were in the parade || Cam Tracy The Swampscott Yacht Club || Cam Tracy Save the Glover had a boat || Cam Tracy Swampcsott Youth Soccer || Cam Tracy Orange Crush Women’s Flag Football || Cam Tracy Swampscott lacrosse || Cam Tracy Swampscott girls and boys basketball || Cam Tracy Big Blue football celebrating its seniors || Cam Tracy A patriotic boat || Cam Tracy Resident paraded down Humphrey Street || Cam Tracy They were in costumes || Cam Tracy
This is a contribution from a Swampscott High School student, as part of the Swampscott Tides Big Blue Student News selection.
Story by Cam Tracy
Swampscott’s Recreational Department held its annual Fourth of July parade on Sunday, in conjunction with the town’s Strawberry Festival, drawing residents of all ages for an afternoon of celebration.
The mile-long parade, organized by Janell Cameron, began at the Swampscott Middle School. From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., participants gathered in the school’s parking lot to decorate trucks and wagons, put on costumes and prepare for the parade.
At 4:30, sports teams, community organizations, local businesses and a group representing the Swampscott Tides made their way down Humphrey Street toward Town Hall where the Strawberry Festival was underway. Along the route, participants greeted spectators and tossed candy to children lining the streets.
Cameron acted as the parade’s grand marshal. Riding in a red convertible at the front of the procession, she led the parade to the Town Hall Lawn.
“I have been doing this for the past 20 years all by myself, and at 71 years old, it’s time to pass it on to some youngster,” Cameron told the Swampscott Tides. “I hope that we can find someone good to take it over. I know recreation does a lot of work in our town, and I’m sure they’ll be there to step in, but I’m going to be sad not to do it but it’s been a lot of fun.”
The afternoon was largely uneventful, although there was a brief disturbance near Town Hall involving a parade participant dressed as Spider-Man. According to witnesses, the individual began shouting before they were surrounded by fellow participants dressed as Mickey Mouse and Uncle Sam.
The Swampscott Police Department told the Swampscott Tides that “it was just a disturbance, and it was quelled quite quickly.”
Despite the isolated incident, the parade was still a hit, as families lined the parade route, children collected candy and residents gathered at Town Hall to celebrate the holiday.
