Burlington Breakfast Rotary Club to Organize 4th of July Parade for Seventh Year

The following is a guest story by Ray Graber of the Burlington Breakfast Rotary Club:

The Burlington Breakfast Rotary Club (BBRC) has announced that they will be organizing the Fourth of July Parade and Celebration on the Common for the seventh consecutive year. The starting point may change this year to a longer route to accommodate additional bands and other participating units as well as an increase in community-inspired floats. Last year, the parade was enjoyed by over 2,500 Burlington residents and friends.

Featured Units

This year's featured unit is the New Hampshire Governor’s Mounted Horse Guards.  “This highly sought after and praised unit is a must see experience,” stated Parade Chairman Kevin McKelvey.  “They bring a special touch of majesty and ceremony to any parade.” Returning this year is the Boston Fireman’s Band and the international award winning Stuart Highlander Pipe Band from nearby Wilmington. 

Float Competition

The 2013 parade will once again feature the ever popular “Float Competition” with special emphasis on local groups and organizations. This year’s theme is “Celebrating American Patriotism”.  Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place.  For the past two years the top prize has gone to the Burlington Historical Society for the originality and creativity expressed in their floats.  Burlington businesses who would like to have a float or their company vehicle entered into the Parade are welcome to do so by contacting Rotarian Diane Bedard at diane.bedard@verizon.net. 

Dog Show

Dog lovers will again have the opportunity to enter their beloved canines in the annual Dog Show competition.  “Everyone thoroughly enjoyed last year’s event, especially the Dog Show,” said BBRC President Christopher Sutherland. “We look forward to another entertaining competition and an event filled celebration on the Town Common for the entire family.”  This year’s Major Sponsor of the Dog Show is Rotarian and local real estate broker, Diane Bedard.    

Sponsorships

Corporate sponsorships for Burlington’s Fourth of July event are available from $250 to $1000 and you can become an official Friend of the Parade for $100.  This year the goal is to have the banners of eight Major Event Sponsors at the $1,000 level prominently displayed on the Town Common gazebo.

Each Major Event sponsor will have a 7 foot by 3 foot banner with their company name displayed on the gazebo the day of the Parade.  Sponsorships at every level are recognized for their generosity with smaller banners on the gazebo, publicity, framed certificates for display at their local businesses, and acknowledgement in the parade-day program.  For the past six years Major Event Sponsors have included Riemer & Braunstein, LLP, RJ Kelly Company, Herb Chambers Motors, and the Town of Burlington.   

Any donation will help us make this year’s event a success. Our theme every year is “Five ($) for the Fourth”.  Donation checks are to be made payable to The Burlington Breakfast Rotary Club and mailed to Ed Flanagan, BBRC Treasurer at 34 Wilmington Road, Burlington, MA 01803.

To become a sponsor or participate in the planning and organizing for this year’s event, please contact BBRC President Chris Sutherland at Christopher.sutheland1@gmail.com, Ray Graber at Ray@GraberAssociates.net or Parade Chair Kevin McKelvey at 781-273-5857. 

Burlington’s Fourth of July Parade and Celebration on the Common allows families to stay local in celebrating the Fourth while delighting in the sights and sounds of a sure to please, old fashion community parade.  Everyone loves a parade!

About the Burlington Breakfast Rotary Club

The BBRC is one of 47 Rotary clubs in District 7930 stretching from Boston to Amesbury and Salem, NH. Rotary International comprises over 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs in 200 countries. This humanitarian organization is one of two having a seat at the United Nations. The motto of Rotary is “Service Above Self” and the organization’s number one goal is the eradication of polio. The BBRC meets every Thursday at 7:30 am at Bickford’s Grille on Cambridge Street in Burlington.