Story by Seth Daniels, Revere Journal
For the first time in five years, the Columbus Day Parade will step off from lower Broadway and march the full route – and by all accounts, it will be larger than life
“I think people are going to be quite surprised in the level and quality of the entries in the parade,” said Chamber of Commerce President Bob Upton. “This is not your Father’s Columbus Day Parade. I think people will really enjoy the different elements in the four divisions. We have a significant military presence in this year’s Parade that we believe people will really enjoy. We have bands from several New England states and floats that I think will really be enjoyable. The Chamber has a float at the front of the Parade that is a replica of the Santa Maria ship. Of course, at the close of the Parade, we’ll have Santa Claus coming down Broadway to welcome in the next season.”
Mayor Dan Rizzo and Upton led the charge to bring back the Parade shortly after Rizzo took office two years ago. Last year, on Columbus Day, a packed house attended a festive breakfast at the Beachmont VFW to raise funds for the Parade.
This Sunday, at the Casa Lucia, the same sort of breakfast will transpire.
At 1 p.m on Monday, the Parade will finally come back to life after five years of absence.
Key planners for the effort have been Veterans Agent Nick Bua and Buddy Mangini.
“It’s definitely bigger than anyone will expect,” said Bua. We’re also trying to get more community participation with the youth organizations, such as the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, Pop Warner and others. Parades are for kids and we’re really, really trying to get them all involved.”
The Parade will begin with a promenade of 50 antique cars from Renaissance Lodge of the Boston Sons of Italy.
That will be followed by the four divisions, entries include:
- Dartmouth High School Band
- Wells Fargo Stage Coach
- Cyclone Roller Coaster from Rent-a-Tool
- Veronica Robies Mariachi Band
- Allied Forces World War II Vehicles
- The Shriners Full Parade Contingent sponsored by East Boston Savings Bank
- Clowning for Kids
- Lowell High School Marching Band
- Point of Pines Yacht Club Float
- Revere Moose Float
- Robert Clemente 21 Dancers
- And, if it’s a clear day, the original Batmobile is on tap to fly down Broadway.
The route will run from Beach Street on Broadway, all the way up to Revere Street, where it will turn right and end at St. Anthony’s Church. An official viewing stand will be set up at the Soccorso Club on Revere Street.
