June 20, 2024 By Carol Britton Meyer
This year’s traditional Fourth of July parade — with its “We love our parade” theme — will be bigger and better than ever, featuring many favorite performers from past years along with some new ones — all sure to be crowd-pleasers.
Red, white, and blue lines are painted on the part of the roadway that constitutes the parade route, adding a festive touch.
Thousands of spectators of all ages line the parade route from Hingham Centre to the downtown area each year, many dressed in red, white, and blue clothing, wearing parade buttons, and waving American flags.
While there will not be any fireworks this year, nor a pancake breakfast on Hingham Centre Common, lots of fun is in store between the parade and get-togethers along the parade route and afterwards in residents’ backyards.
This will be lifelong Hingham resident George Ford’s 17th — and final — year walking the parade route as Uncle Sam. “I will miss it dearly, but I will always watch the parade!” he told the Hingham Anchor. (See related story to come.)
The Hingham parade represents Americana at its best, with friends and family members from near and far gathering to enjoy this popular annual event.
Grand marshal, featured performers
This year’s parade will feature Grand Marshal Scott McMillan, colorful floats, marching bands, the Seventh Regiment from Connecticut, Clydesdale horses from Duxbury, the National Lancers — the Commonwealth’s ceremonial cavalry squadron and a unit in the Massachusetts Organized Militia — on horseback, a number of fife and drum corps, Stompers Western band, a Mariachi band, and new this year — a high school band from Buffalo, Minnesota, that contacted the parade committee asking to be part of this year’s event during their trip east this summer. Ford in his role as Uncle Sam arranges for the performers.
The Hingham Recreation Road Race will preface the parade, which will step out from Hingham High School promptly at 10 a.m.
The parade will march rain or shine, but in case of a storm, the Hingham Police Department may call it off. There is no rain date.
Parade costs are covered by sponsorships, the 50 Flag Campaign, parade button sales, registration fees, and donations. No tax money is used to help fund the event.
This year’s button design contest winner is Gabriella Nardello of St. Paul School.
The cost of this year’s parade includes $48,000 to pay the performers, plus police details and other costs.
Visit https://www.hingham-ma.gov/678/Fourth-of-July for more information about the parade, parade route, detours and parking restrictions, sponsorships, or to make a donation and https://www.hinghamanchor.com/50-flags-campaign-in-its-14th-year-to-support-the-4th-of-july-parade/ to learn more about the 50 flags campaign, which raises funds for the parade.
Go to https://www.hinghamanchor.com/sign-up-for-the-hingham-fourth-of-july-road-race/ for road race details.