CELEBRATE IN STYLE: OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND FOR REGIONAL REVELRY WITH PARADES, FOOD, MUSIC, AND FIREWORKS
CELEBRATE IN STYLE: OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND FOR REGIONAL REVELRY WITH PARADES, FOOD, MUSIC, AND FIREWORKS
By Kelly-Ann Franklin
Norwich Bulletin
July 1, 2010
From fireworks to parades and barbeques to war re-enactments, this Independence Day weekend in Eastern Connecticut certainly is chock full of activities for the whole family.
Willimantic
Willimantic’s annual Boom Box Parade will step off Sunday from Jillson Square, beginning at noon, marching all the way to Memorial Park. People are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue, carry a flag, and bring their radio to listen to the music on 1400 WILI-AM.
Now in its 25th year, the Boom Box Parade will again feature WILI-AM Program Director and morning host Wayne Norman as grand marshal. And while he won’t reveal his outfit, he does offer a hint of what it might be.
“It will be something timely that relates to a significant local news story of 2010,” Norman said.
The parade with no rules does not require pre-registration so Norman is unsure of how many floats will participate.
“I honestly have no idea who will be coming or what themes/floats will be here,” he said. “And odd as it may sound, I’ve never counted how many ‘floats’ we have gotten. And that term can cover a wide range.”
Beyond the floats, it’s the patriotic music on the radio that gives the Boom Box Parade its purpose. Because of that, any device that squirts water, such as a water gun, is discouraged to prevent damaging people’s radios.
What: 25th annual Boom Box Parade
When: Begins at noon
Where: Willimantic. Begins at Jillson Square and ends at Memorial Park.
Information: Wear some red, white, and blue. Bring your radio to the parade tuned to 1400 WILI-AM
Read the full Norwich Bulletin article at: http://www.norwichbulletin.com/entertainment/x1849213453/Celebrate-in-style-Opportunities-abound-for-regional-revelry-with-parades-food-music-and-fireworks