July 3rd, 2023 submitted by Mary Ellen Lahiff (volunteer) and Jim Murphy (Chair) Hingham 4th of July Parade Committee
Every year the Town of Hingham 4th of July Committee looks forward to picking a parade theme. We usually spend our January meeting deciding on the theme. The parade theme is often triggered by recent events that may have happened within the town, the world, or something as simple as how everyone feels the night of selection. Still, we eventually and unanimously agree on a parade theme.
This year’s theme is “TOGETHER FOR THE FOURTH.”
Once the committee arrives at a theme, it is presented to the various Hingham Public elementary schools, including the South, Plymouth River, Foster, East as well as St. Paul’s School. Then it’s up to the art teachers to instruct and assist their students with the task at hand to create a button design for the annual theme.
Every year we have a great response from all the schools. This year we had 116 button designs submitted. One might think this is an easy task for the judges, but it often comes down to 10-15 designs initially, and then the remainder of the evening is for all committee members to agree on a winning button, which can sometimes be challenging.
This year’s button design winner is William Donovan from Plymouth River School. William captured this year’s theme quite simply with four friends sitting on the grass overlooking Hingham Harbor, watching the fireworks! William’s graphics were crisp and clear, the theme was clearly presented, his choice of colors was eye catching. His artwork was the clear winner. We presented William with an award in May at the South Shore Country Club, and he will be proudly marching in the parade on Tuesday.
Although there is only one overall winner, we wanted to mention two other noteworthy button designs.
Lila G. – South School
Quinn Litwinowich – Foster School
Button donations help fund the Hingham Fourth of July Parade each year. We are very fortunate to have the continued interest/enthusiasm of our Hingham Elementary Art teachers. We could not do this without their help.
Thank you,
Mary Ellen Lahiff, volunteer / Jim Murphy, Chair, Hingham 4th of July Parade Committee