WILLIAMSBURG — Groups of spectators lined the two-mile stretch of Route 9 from Haydenville to Williamsburg center on Sunday, eager to watch the much-anticipated parade celebrating the town’s 250th anniversary.
The parade was the culmination of a weekend full of activities.
“We wanted two big bookend events,” parade co-chair Apostol Hoda said just before the start of the parade. “The fireworks started the weekend off on Friday, we had a festival in town on Saturday, and we are ending the weekend with a great parade that is going to be a long and exciting show.”
More than 40 contingents marched and performed in the parade, including bands such as the Expandable Brass Band, the Holyoke Caledonian Pipe Band, the Florence Community Band, Mountain River Taiko drummers, and the Shriners Highland Band.
Stilt walkers towered over spectators as they danced their way down the parade route, and jugglers showed off their skills to the appreciative crowds. Many admired several shiny classic cars while others were amazed by the “Hatfield Hellion,” a crazy vehicle that bounced, spun and wheelied its way through the parade sometimes creating a plume of colorful smoke in its wake.
“It is great to have a parade come right by your house,” said Holly Shadrick, who was enjoying the event with her husband, Chris Shadrick, and their son Colton.
Some children along the parade route were delighted by the number of firetrucks from multiple surrounding towns, and vigorously encouraged them to sound their horns and sirens. Others scrambled for candy tossed by Police Chief Denise Wickland, and waved and shouted to their friends who were blowing bubbles on a float from the Anne T. Dunphy School.
Political dignitaries included state Sen. Adam Hinds and state Reps. Lindsay Sabadosa, Natalie Blais and Paul Mark.
Many local businesses, farms, service groups, and town organizations participated in the parade as well as city and town officials, including the Williamsburg Select Board, Conway Select Board, and Northampton Mayor Gina L. Sciarra
“This is a glorious day for the town,” Select Board member Denise Banister said. “I am so happy with the turnout, and the weather has really cooperated.”
Parade Marshal Linwood Clark, whose family roots run deep in Williamsburg, works at the transfer station and is known to almost all in town.
Clark rode in a white carriage owned by Clayhill Farm in Chesterfield.
Resident Chuck Edwards was enjoying the parade with his daughter Karen Zononi and her children Alli, 6 and Ryan, 9. Edwards said he was thrilled to be at the event having attended the town’s 200th anniversary celebration.
“I was selling strawberries at the last parade we had 50 years ago,” he said. “It is nice to still be around to see this one!”
Charles Addison of Amherst said that he had friends in Williamsburg and had been making a weekend of the 250th with them.
“I heard the voice of the parade announcer, and it was so familiar because it is very distinct and professional,” he said, referring to Dennis Lee, a now retired radio personality who worked at WHMP in Northampton for over 23 years.
Lee shared the announcer’s platform with Larry West, who is president of the Williamsburg Lions Club, on the Executive Committee of the Williamsburg Grange, president of the Williamsburg High School Alumni Association, and on the boards of the Historical Society and the Senior Center.
“This whole weekend has been great,” West said. “I have seen friends I haven’t seen in years.”
Jason Harder of Florence said he owns several properties in Williamsburg.
“Williamsburg is just a beautiful, friendly community,” Harder said. “I have gotten to know more people here in town than in my own neighborhood because this really is small town America,”
According to Hoda, the parade was scheduled for last year, but due to COVID-19 it was postponed.
“People are coming out of their homes after a long COVID hibernation, and they are super excited for the parade,” Hoda said.
Resident Collin Black serves on the Recreation Committee and the Hampshire Regional and Anne T. Dunphy school committees.
“This was really well done, a lot of work went into it, and I am really appreciative of the volunteers,” he said.
Black said he was moved by the number of contingents in the parade.
“I love seeing all of these people being proud of their town and of what they do,” he said. “It just fills you up.”