Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans

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Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
Philadelphia’s Aqua String Band brings colorful costumes to the parade route.

By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer

Marlborough – Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, the city of Marlborough honored its World War II veterans Sept. 2 as grand marshals of the 68th Labor Day Parade. Several WWII veterans rode in convertibles along the 1.7-mile parade route. Area veterans of other war eras walked or rode in an Old Town Trolley.

Continuing a longtime tradition, the Marlborough High School (MHS) Marching Panther Band was the first of several units to bring music to the parade route. The Marlborough Historical Society’s float promoted downtown’s newly-installed Museum in the Streets. Parade spectators got the chance to welcome back to the city the Marlborough Shamrocks semi-professional football team.

Among the parade’s returning favorites were multiple units of the Aleppo Shriners Clowns and the eight-horse Hallamore Clydesdales hitch.

The holiday festivities began prior to the parade with the Marlborough Lions Club’s 38th annual Labor Day Bed Race on Main Street. A record high number of 34 teams pushed beds to the finish line. Teams of four consisted of local middle and high school athletes.

This year’s winning team sponsored by the Marlborough Fire Department consisted of MHS hockey players Kyle Carroll, William Fantasia, Matt Farrell and Jeremy LaCroix. They won a $100 gift card from Main Street Café toward that morning’s breakfast. Race proceeds help the Lions Club’s ongoing charitable causes including eyeglasses for those in need of assistance.

photos/Ed Karvoski Jr.

Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
World War II veteran Greg Mitrakas Sr. rides in a convertible as a grand marshal.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
(l to r) World War II veterans Connie Ludoerco, Gilbert Zucker and Lester Gediman ride in a convertible as grand marshals.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
(l to r) Dick Martino rides in a convertible with World War II veterans and grand marshals: his father Nunzio Martino and Arthur Marsan.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
The Marlborough High School Marching Panther Band percussionists pass the Walker Building.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
Marlborough Historical Society’s float promotes downtown’s newly-installed Museum in the Streets.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
The Civil Air Patrol color guard leads the Marlborough-based Minute Man Squadron.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
Marlborough High School music department students display their float’s Judges’ Trophy.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
The Marlborough Junior Woman’s Club’s banner proclaims, “It’s a volunteer thing.”
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
Dee Jordan high-fives Marlborough Shamrocks football player Chris Ortiz on the sidelines.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
The Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum marches past the Doughboy Monument.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
The Hallamore Clydesdales horses hitch travels along Main Street.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
The Bed Race winning team sponsored by the Marlborough Fire Department consists of Marlborough High School hockey players (l to r) William Fantasia, Matt Farrell, Kyle Carroll and Jeremy LaCroix.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
The Bed Race second-place team sponsored by Attorney William Brewin consists of Hudson High School field hockey players (l to r) Allie Davis, Maddie Kiley, Lydia Beatty and Abby Nezuch.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School football teammates race a bed sponsored by Main Street Bank.
Marlborough’s 68th Labor Day Parade salutes WWII veterans
Advanced Math and Science Academy track teammates race a bed sponsored by St. Mary’s Credit Union.

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