Letter: Why to Bring Back the Carnival

The following was submitted by Sean Boyle. It has been edited only for format. 

As I have introduced the carnival idea to the Charlestown community, I have come across countless supporters who constantly encourage us to keep moving forward. But as expected, I have bumped into many obstacles, such as finding a location. These next few accounts were written by fellow members and dear friends who are part of the Townie Association, then later cohesively fabricated into one piece by Jen Buckley. Hopefully, their words can convince the entire neighborhood of Charlestown to help make this dream into a reality.

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The following was composed by members of the Townie Association, weaved together and edited by Jen Buckley: 

“Bring the carnival back,” This may be one of the slogans you’re seeing campaign’s for via Facebook, Twitter, or even heard of through word of mouth. Some may remember a time when there was a carnival in the town, and others may only live the experience through the older generation’s memories. To many of the younger generation, the carnival making a return is meaningful for multiple reasons, but also, a town pride booster for the annual Bunker Hill Day Parade.

After all, as children growing up in Charlestown, many of us remember waking up bright and early eager for the Parade to begin. Many may also recall a time when the streets were brimming with people of all generations. Although, many may still come out to enjoy the parade, the audience has grown smaller from our found childhood memories. Our community could use an actual town pride week booster to ensure the continued existence of the parade.

Naturally, there is almost a feeling of unfairness and some form of jealousy coming from the younger generation. Everything we know and everything we believe in transpires from the older generations, being our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Listening to stories of a time when the carnival had existed and all their wonderful, life long memories, we want to have the same sort of memories we can pass down to our children and grandchildren.

Therefore, let’s make this about the town again and bring the carnival back. Moreover, all our lives we have been told by parents, educators, and respectful community leaders at meetings, “If you want something, go out there and fight for it, don’t let anything stop you”. With all do respect, that’s all we’re trying to do. Believe in our town again, feel the closeness, and build life long memories together. Please help us bring the carnival back! 

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Continuation by Sean Boyle:

My generation of Townies grew up with the after affects of forced busing; when an entire neighborhood was torn apart and an entire generation of Townie culture was lost. My generation of Townies was raised where the one square mile town of ours was gentrified right before our very own eyes. Year after year, more and more of our friends left and continue to move out of the town, things and traditions started and continue to disappear.

Although we are still very tight-knit, I truly believe that reincorporating the carnival to the Parade Week festivities would help us stay connected. Memories of the old Charlestown would magically come alive, while new memories will be instilled in our lives. It would reunite old friends by bringing back Townies to the town, (not just the older generation, but our generation as well). It would give all those Townies who don’t live here a reason to come back and stay longer than Parade Day. It would increase advertisement and spectatorship for the parade. This carnival would be a call, to all Townies, where ever you may be, to come home to the town you love so well.

As I hear stories of Parade Week’s pasts, I feel as it has almost lost its momentum. That the jamboree isn’t quite as strong as it was - but it’s still there, and it hasn’t lost its touch just yet. It’s time to resurrect the revelry once more. In matter of fact, the idea of bringing back the carnival has already boosted pride in the 17^th of June, as older generations of Townies come up to me daily sharing their memories of Parade Week and how significant the carnival was to their childhood.

In recent years, I have witnessed a lack of interest in Parade Week, and sadly even Parade Day. A carnival would be an enjoyable and cheerful way to enhance the excitement for Charlestown’s most beloved day, Parade Day. Resurrecting the carnival would not only unite the entire Charlestown neighborhood, but reconnect old relationships, assimilate those who are not familiar with Parade Week, boost community morale, pride, and local economy and most of all, revive the spirit of the old Charlestown. Charlestown’s charm will shine like no other.

The Townie Association would also donate the proceeds from the carnival to the parade, planning this carnival is our way of giving back to the community. The parade needs our help, so this is how we want to lend a hand. We are trying to do something positive for where we live. What better way to keep the tradition alive than reviving reminisces of Charlestown’s past while building memories for the future.

I hope that older Townies see this opportunity as passing the torch down to the next generation of Townies. This is vital in order to keep our traditions alive. I also hope that the entire neighborhood of Charlestown will rally around this idea, help us find a location, and support us in bringing back the carnival. I hope the people of/from this town, and its leaders hear the youth of Charlestown’s cry and become involved in reviving the carnival. This is something that the youth of Charlestown (both teenagers and young adults) passionately want and are dedicated to successfully accomplishing for the June 2013 Parade Week. We need the entire town to support us: neighbors, organizations, and businesses alike. Let’s do this Charlestown, and demonstrate, yet again, what type of community Charlestown really is: “United we stand, together our goal.” Let’s bring the carnival back!

There are several ways you can help:

1. "Like" and “share” the Bring Back the Carnival’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/townieassociation

2. Follow us on Twitter: @Ctowncarnival

3. Come to our public meetings (TBA)

4. Sign the petition. (please DO NOT donate after you sign it, the donations go towards the website, not the carnival) www.ipetitions.com/petition/towniecarnival/

 5. Or, share your ideas, comments, concerns, suggestions by emailing us at townie.association@gmail.com