Springfield’s annual 4th of July parade is rapidly approaching its 100th anniversary in 2014 and is considered to be one of the longestrunning Fourth of July parades in the nation.
“Lore has it that the 4th of July Parade in the town of Springfield is the second longest consecutively running parade in the U.S., while Bristol, R.I., claims to have the longest,” 4th of July Committee member Maureen Culbert said in an article last year. Culbert is also a member of Historical Society and However, Culbert said, in 1943, in the middle of World War II, the annual celebration in the town of Springfieldwas canceled due to a letter received from the Office of Price Administration, which issued a public policy on all current public demonstrations.
Apparently, driving to attend the celebration would “not be permitted” because of the great need for gasoline and fuel oil along the easternseaboard.
Aside from one other year when the parade was canceled due to a heavy rain, the summer of 1943 would be the only time that the 4th of July celebration in Springfield was canceled.
“In its early days, many things about the parade and celebration were a little different, even though today it has retained its hometown feel,” Culbert said.
The early days of the parade and celebration included fireworks — something the committee hopes to bring back for the 100th anniversary celebration, according to Culbert.
“The event draws people together in the same way as it did in years past, for family and alumni reunions, as well as the various organizations that participate, and the folks attending from surrounding towns and counties,” Culbert said.
Grand Marshals for this year’s parade will be Barbara Weaver and Merle Young,two life-long residents of the town, who have spent so much of their time serving the community together, it only seems fitting that they be honored together, according to Beverly Guilfoyle in a media release from the parade committee.
They have planned several fundraisers for the many clubs and organizations they belong to _ ice cream socials for the Historical Society and Springfield Presbyterian Church, card parties andsandwich socials for the Pitch Club, and selling hot dogs, hamburgers, and pies for the Springfield Presbyterian Church. Even organizations that they do not belong to, such as the Fire Department, have called upon their services to plan fundraisers for them.
The initiative that Barb and Merle seem most proud of was a music scholarship award that they started for Cherry Valley Springfield School students. For years they held a dinner to raise money in order to send children to a music camp at Ithaca College.
For their efforts, they received the Community Service Award from the Cherry Valley Springfield Board of Education for dedication to school and community.
The Springfield parade will be held on Monday, July 4, at 11 a.m. in Springfield Center.
Parking is available at the Community Center located on Route 29A.
The parade is followed by the Cooperstown Community Band, Fritz Henry, and Brooks BBQ at noon. Indoor displays, games for the children, and face painting are among the highlights planned, along with food, and beverages for sale. Safe Child ID by the Sheriff’s Dept., the library’s cake walk, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand by the Order of the Eastern Star will also be on site.
After the parade, the Springfield Historical Society will open its doors for the Civil War Soldiers display that includes history of local soldiers and a ladies’ costume of the era. The society has on display unidentified pictures of people and homes. A third table will be set up to show local homes and places in Springfield and Springfield Center.
A 100-year display board will be up to highlight the upcoming anniversary of theparade. The pictures from 1914 and 1917 show some of the early floats and parade entrants.
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Springfield ready for another parade
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