Town marches into millennium with grand 'Parade 2000'
Published on September 13th, 2000
STONEHAM , MA - There is a definite buzz in the air and, yes, stars painted on the street.
If you travel down Main Street this week, you might just imagine the sight - the twinkle in a child's eyes as he salutes and waves to passers-by; men and women who share a common history, marching in unison in impressive uniforms; an occasional escaped balloon flying high and growing smaller as it lifts off toward the sky, and crowds of families, friends, neighbors and acquaintances enjoying each others' company.
Parade 2000 is almost here.
Rain or shine, the parade is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 17. It will kick-off from Redstone Shopping Center at 1 p.m., travel the length of Main Street, and end at Friendly's near Spot Pond.
Parade 2000 is preceded by the annual Town Day celebration on Saturday, Sept. 16.
Get your shopping done early this weekend. The Redstone Shopping Center parking lot will close at 10 a.m. on Sunday to accommodate parade participants and staging. Most businesses will remain open, however, to meet the needs of spectators and those on foot.
Stoneham Police will close down Main Street at North Street at 10 a.m., with detours set up at the route 128/28 junction as well as the route 93/28 junction. The rest of Main Street to South Street will be closed around noon.
Posted parking restrictions will be strictly enforced on side streets to assure emergency vehicle access throughout town. Stoneham's Fire and Police departments request that the public respect existing parking regulations by keeping fire hydrants clear and parking 20 feet from intersections.
Those within walking distance of Main Street are encouraged to leave their cars at home. Residents should try to fit their visitors' cars in driveways, as well, in an effort to free up on-street parking for parade spectators.
Other areas that will accommodate spectator parking include the town's public school parking lots, playground parking lots and the Senior Center.
Parade spectators will have access to bathroom facilities at Town Hall, the Public Library, the MDC pool and at portable facilities stationed at Redstone.
The Parade Committee has asked that no one carry political signs in the parade.
The Parade Committee would like to acknowledge the generosity of the Metropolitan District Commission. Under the direction of Commissioner David Balfour, and without the expertise of Michael Testa, Dominic D'Ambrosio and Bill Morrissey, in particular, coordination of such an event might never have been possible.
In addition, S.R. Weiner and Associates, Inc., the company which manages the Redstone Shopping Center, as well as all the merchants in Redstone, must be recognized for their cooperation and generosity to the town in lending the use of their parking lot to get the parade rolling.
Many businesses have donated generously to the parade effort. In addition, proceeds from the sale of Millennium Celebration tee-shirts, sweat-shirts, buttons and raffle tickets have helped to defray the cost of putting on a show of this magnitude. The public can still help out; on Town Day, all the above will be on sale at the Parade 2000 booths.
The grand raffle will be drawn by the end of Town Day with first prize of $1,000 going to the lucky ticket holder. Six other monetary prizes are up for grabs as well. The parade committee is also planning a 50/50 raffle for Town Day and a 16" boys Huffy bicycle will be raffled off.
Currently, Parade 2000 Committee member Fred Kranefuss is putting the finishing touches on a replica of a Stoneham "10-footer," the type of shoe house that was abundant in Stoneham a generation ago. The house will be on display on Saturday at Town Day, ride a float down Main Street on Sunday, and will go to a lucky raffle ticket holder next week. Tickets for the 10-footer will be available at Town Day with the drawing scheduled for the Sept. 26 televised Board of Selectmen meeting.
The Parade 2000 Committee extends its appreciation to all who have supported the effort thus far to make the coming weekend one filled with community spirit and good fun.
A special request has been submitted to Mother Nature for good weather. But rain or shine, community spirit is not something that can be easily dampened. Come out and enjoy, a good time will be had by all. It's in the stars.
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