The Marlborough High School Tri-M Music Honor Society’s float wins the Judge’s Trophy.
Marlborough – The unofficial end-of-summer weekend culminated Sept. 5 with longtime holiday traditions marking milestones including the 65th annual Marlborough Labor Day Parade.
With this year’s theme of “Marlborough – Where Tradition and Economic Vitality Meet,” the parade featured a number of bands, floats and marchers representing nonprofit organizations. Joining local and other state elected officials were Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. The 1.7-mile parade route also served as the campaign trail for some political candidates.
Honored as grand marshal was lifelong city resident Walter Bonin, a board member of the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation since its inception 10 years ago. Bonin also served 11 years on the City Council, seven as president.
Meanwhile, residents and visitors satisfied their appetites at Union Common. There, the First Church in Marlborough, Congregational, offered its 25th annual Labor Day Barbecue. Once again, the barbecue featured parish youth serving fresh-squeezed lemonade.
Some parade spectators claimed prime viewing spots by arriving early for the Marlborough Lions Club’s 35th annual Labor Day Bed Race. This year, 20 teams of four runners sponsored by businesses and a nonprofit organization pushed hospital beds east to City Hall, where they applied linen. After continuing further east and making a U-turn, they raced back to City Hall and removed the linen. The club raised $4,000, which will help with its ongoing charitable causes including eyeglasses for those in need of assistance.
Photos/Ed Karvoski Jr.
Andrew Ayala, 4, meets Smitty of the Aleppo Shrine Clowns on the parade sidelines.An arch on the Greater Marlborough Projects Inc. float proclaims, “In our fifth decade helping people help themselves,” which won the Marlborough Trophy for best expression of parade theme.Four-time cancer survivor Vikki Crowley (standing, left) and Team Vikki ride on a float that won the Grand Marshal’s Trophy for best overall. Their theme this year was “Gone, but not forgotten.”Members of the Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum Companie play military music of early America.Julianna Durant and Jennifer Silver, both 10, high five the mascot of the Marlborough Lions Club, whose Eyemobile rode in the parade.A trio performs on the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce float promoting Oktoberfest to be held Saturday, Oct. 1, the second of a three-day Heritage Weekend.The Civil Air Patrol color guard leads the Lt. Col. Frank Pocher Minute Man Squadron.Parade-goers of all ages give donations to volunteers with the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 82. Proceeds go to hospitalized disabled veterans.Walter Bonin and his wife, Joanne, ride in a convertible as he’s honored as grand marshal.The Marlborough High School Marching Panther Band, under the direction of Gary Piazza, brings music to the parade route.Racing toward first-place victory is the team sponsored by L&S Insurance consisting of Marlborough High boys cross country runners (l to r) Brian Oram, Yossef Naim, Matt Pearl and Austin Wise.Placing second is the team sponsored by Horseshoe Pub & Restaurant in Hudson consisting of Marlborough High boys cross country runners (l to r) Jeremy Barnes, Michael Alonzi, Matt Pearl and Owen Crisafulli.The team sponsored by Marlboro Market – consisting of Marlborough High girls cross country runners (l to r) Madison Hediger, Barbara Battisa, Christiana Kearnes and Olivia Rainville – complete applying bed linen midway on the route then continue the course.
