We’d been reaching out to the Natick Friends of the 4th in recent weeks to see if a parade might be in the offing this summer, and didn’t take the lack of response or dead email links as good signs. Indeed, the group has now broken its silence on social media and confirmed there will be no parade in 2023.
This makes four straight years without the parade.
“After a lot of thought, community polling, and discussion, the Board of Directors of the Friends of the 4th will not be fundraising or organizing a parade or other activities in 2023. We encourage everyone to attend any 4th of July event that another committee or group organizes to celebrate the holiday,” according to the Friends of the 4th.
The group conducted a survey in November to gauge community interest in July 4th events. We inquired about the results, but didn’t hear back.
Natick will be holding a parade on May 29, Memorial Day.
Nearby, Wellesley holds its Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend events this weekend, May 20-21, including the 54th Wellesley Veterans’ Parade on Sunday, followed by a big picnic, carnival, and fireworks at Hunnewell Field.
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A refreshing respite from an otherwise constant stream of saluting the flag in the 01760.
Thank goodness! I only get one holiday between Memorial Day and Labor Day and it was always so aggravating not to be able to relax on my day off–had to put up with half an hour of sirens blaring, and the bands would always take a break in front of my house and all I’d hear is boom, boom, boom from the beating drums, loud enough to loosen the putty in my windows. Glad I can relax without all that aggravation!