Let Freedom Ring; Hingham Celebrates Independence Day

 After a busy weekend of Independence Day events, Hingham residents continued to celebrate the Fourth of July with crowds lining the streets to watch the annual parade through the streets of the town.

 The theme of the parade was ‘Let Freedom Ring’ and many residents took advantage of the shade offered on the tree-lined route to set up their chairs out of the blazing sunshine.

  Much like the fireworks on Saturday, the Hingham Parade has a well-earned reputation for mixing history with the celebration of community, and with 25 floats, 11 bands, 12 walking units, forty vehicles and over 500 participants, there was plenty to keep the crowds entertained along the 1.6 mile route.

 Starting at the stroke of ten o’clock, the parade was led off by Chief Peraino, with ‘Uncle Sam’ close behind followed by a succession of elected officials, local sports teams, vintage vehicles, historical figures, clowns and marching bands (including the unique sounds of the Crow Point Marching Kazoo Band).

 A steady stream of red, white and blue marched from Pleasant Street onto Middle Street before proceeding down Main Street, and then finishing on North Street at around 11:30 to enthusiastic applause and patriotic flag waving.

 Former Police Chief Mills was the Grand Marshal, waving to the crowds from a convertible Saab, while local children rushed to pick up the candy that was being thrown by the parade participants as they made their way along the designated route.

 Everywhere you looked there were flags and bunting with Hingham residents taking the chance to show off their American pride. As the floats and the bands made their sedate way down Main Street, walking along the newly painted lines in the middle of the road, the crowds continued to cheer and, despite the heat, they showed no signs of moving until they had seen everything that the parade had to offer.

 This annual parade takes a year to plan and the 2011 event seemed to go off without any problems with everyone present enjoying the sights and sounds of a day that deservedly remains the ultimate expression of freedom and celebration. Let Freedom Ring was the theme, and Hingham delivered this in style.