MARLBOROUGH – Community members showed up in droves for the 2023 Marlborough Labor Day Parade.
The 71st annual parade started at approximately noon with the Marlborough High School Marching Band’s rendition of the National Anthem. After the performance at the corner of Pleasant Street and Lincoln Street, the parade traveled 1.7 miles through the heart of the city, ending at the intersection of Route 85 and Maple Street.
“This is a tradition that has to stay alive,” Parade Director Melanie Whapham told the Community Advocate. “I’m hoping this is my last year, but I’ll always be behind the scenes working, planning and organizing. You don’t realize how strong the community is until you have people come out and really be present for this and participate. People from all across the state and beyond. It’s really amazing.”
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With hundreds of participants, dozens of vehicles, elaborate floats, plenty of political candidates, and countless different marching bands and musical performances, the parade lasted nearly two hours. Whapham said she spent “countless hours” organizing the festivities.
The US Navy USS Constitution Honor Guard, Worcester Red Sox, Quaker City String Band (who traveled from Philadelphia to perform in the parade), UMass Lowell Marching Band, Colonial Pipers, and Marlboro Shamrocks were among the organizations to march in the parade.
Parade Grand Marshal Barbara LaGrenade was prominently featured. LaGrenade, who serves as the director of the Marlborough Community Cupboard, waved at community members from her colorfully decorated float.
