ABOUT TOWN: Another Spectacular July 4th Celebration in Stoughton

THE PARADE DODGES A STORM: The Stoughton Community Events Committee did it again - ! The day began with a soaking rain on Wednesday, but the skies held out and the parade started at 2:30 p.m. on the 4th of July.

Leading the parade was Stoughton Police Chief Paul Shastany, followed by many of the department's vehicles. The final vehicle was a fire department vehicle driven by Acting Deputy Chief Greg Goldberg.

In between, there was the usual groundswell of politicians walking the parade, including Stoughton's State Senator Brian Joyce (D-Milton), Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, Governor's Council candidate Bart Timilty, David Sheehan from the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office, Town Moderator Howard Hansen; School Committee members Deborah Sovinee, Joyce Husseini, George Dolinsky and Dr. Erdem Ural; Selectmen Robert O'Regan, and John Anzivino. Selectman Cynthia Walsh rode with former Selectman John Kowalczyk (the town's longest-serving selectman since World War II) in his blue Thunderbird.

A number of successful sports teams celebrated championship seasons on floats, including the , (26-0), , STOYAC Cheerleaders, and STOYAC Softball Champions.  

The usual musical acts used every year in the parade - from Canada - notified Parade Chairman Joe Mokrisky they would not be making the trip, due to the threat of thunderstorms. But, Mokrisky was able, at the last minute, to secure three different Boston Windjammers bands to help cover the parade. Music was also provided by rock band 24 South, which features Stoughton's own Steve DiGloria (from the DPW) on drums, and the vocal talents of lovely Lisa Jacobs. Mass Brass Band (on a truck owned by Ralph Sellito of Stoughton) was featured, as was Worcester Light and Sound, Hot Tomales, and an Elvis impersonator.  

Local fitness businesses were well-represented. They included Michael Varner and Maxx Force from Maxx Training Center; Kevin "Gunns" from Elite Fitness & Health in their Boot Camp Hummer; and the gang from the Old Colony YMCA in Stoughton, accompanied by members of a Zumba class at the Y.  

There was an array of very cool cars - antique and modern - with the South Shore Corvette Club, South Shore Antique and Model T Club, and Paul Williams of Lou's Custom Exhaust in Stoughton.  

Stoughton resident and Patch Regional Editor Mike Hardman walked in the parade dressed in a dog suit. His wife, Roseanne Felago, helped him handout candy.

Nancy Urell and the Stoughton Women's Club took part in the parade, in a Cadillac and a PT Cruiser.

What had to be the most outstanding float in the parade was the one from the . Thanks to the efforts of Joe DeVito, Janet Clough, Evelyn Callahan, Charles Wade, and Dwight MacKerron, they had a float with the theme, "We Honor Veterans from All Wars."

Rick and Linda Woodward carried the banner, and the float, driven by DPW employee Rich Jasmin, was filled with volunteers wearing elaborate (and broiling) authentic uniforms representing the many branches of service and wars.

Participants on the float included Malyke Ross (Revolutionary War), David Allen Lambert (Civil War), Benjamin Mallock (World War I), Brenda Lambert (Woman's Army Corps), Daniel Bueil (Air Force), Brendan Gallagher (SeaBees), Joshua Williams (U.S. Army), Mikayla Williams (Nurse Corps), Jack Goldberg (Coast Guard), David Griffin (Modern Army), and Alyssa Dupont (Desert Storm).

MacKerron, the president of the Stoughton Historical Society, told About Town that sections of the trolley tracks were mounted on the front of the float's sign, thanks to the work of Mokrisky, Dennis and Carlene Walsh, and Maria Simas.  

It was my honor to host the Parade again this year, and I want to thank Papa John's Pizza and The Last Shot for providing prizes for the trivia. If you missed it at the parade, you still have a chance to win. Scroll to the end of this article.

Thanks to Jeff Connors of Audio PA Systems in Stoughton for providing sound for the Parade. He did an incredible job, and allowed everyone - even a block away - to hear the announcements.

It was also nice to see Joyce, Jonathan and George Parsons, the wife, son and brother respectively of the late , who was involved in the 4th of July events for three decades.  Bob was the one who asked me to host the Parade a number of years ago. His presence was greatly missed.   

Parade Chairman Mokrisky thought it was one of the best parades the Town has had. Here's are the list of volunteers who stepped up big time to make the two day event happen: Joe Mokrisky, Parade & Committee Chairman; Bob Desmond, Vice Chairman Stoughton Events Committee; Dennis Donoghue; Kevin Stetson, Fireworks Chairman; Brian, Carlene and Dennis Walsh.

Mokrisky wanted to send special thanks to: Police Chief Paul Shastany, Police Executive Officer Lt. Robert Devine, Fire Chief Mark Dolloff, Stoughton Auxiliary Police, and John Batchelder and the DPW.

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CONCERT & FIREWORKS DRAW THOUSANDS:  A record crowd gathered all around the Town of Stoughton for the Ronnie Lewis & the Expedition concert, and the on Tuesday, July 3.

Thousands of people gathered at the High School, the West School, Shaw's Plaza, and other locations all around town to watch the fireworks.

Traffic was held up for a LONG time by the sheer number of people. For instance, at Shaw's Supermarket, every space in the large lot was filled, including at the neighboring Webster Bank, and the side lot at Shaw's. And, cars were parked alongside other cars. No one was able to shop. But, they certainly got a good view of the 35 minute display.

A special red white and blue firework was shot out in dedication to the late Bob Parsons, in dedication to his nearly 30 years on the July 4th Committee, and his decades as Chair of the event. That was followed by Lewis' rendition of "America the Beautiful", and then a great fireworks display.

There was also a Carnival at the O'Donnell Middle School parking lot that was jammed full. I enjoyed a healthy Fried Oreo there. Doesn't get much better than that!

And, Stoughton's flew made its public debut, flying from a Stoughton Fire Department ladder truck ().

It was the fruit of the efforts of Stoughton Patch writer Christine Iacobucci, and her daughter, Bella.

Kevin Stetson deserves much credit for chairing the concert/fireworks. The entire Stoughton Community Events Committee deserves a Shout Out for this one: Chairman Joe Mokrisky and Vice Chair Bob Desmond, and members Heidee Anastos, Denis Donaghue, Heather Genereux, Suzie Gross, Lynne McCormack, Paula Myers, Nancy Patterson, Maria Simas, Kevin and Fran Stetson, Laurice Rubel, Carlene and Dennis Walsh.  

The Stoughton Community Events Committee has hosted events that include the Easter Egg Hunt, Children’s 4th of July Field Day, 4th of July Fireworks, 4th of July Parade, Touch-A-Truck, Haunted Hayride and the Christmas Parade. As enjoyable as these events are, they take volunteers to make them happen.

Many committee members have worked hard over the last couple years to bring these events to reality but they need your help!

There are approximately 27,000 people living in the Town of Stoughton. The members of the Community Events Committee hope there are a few of you reading this who would like to have fun working with their fellow residents to ‘Make a Difference in Stoughton.’

For information about volunteer opportunities, contact Joe Mokrisky, chairman, at 781-344-8887 or Bob Desmond, vice chairman at 781-344-8835. 

The Halloween Haunted Hayride is next.  Volunteer: Be a part of the Solution, rather than the Problem!

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JULY 4TH TRIVIA: Because trivia at the Parade was cut short, we're going to let a few lucky Patch readers win a gift certificate for Papa John's or a free pizza at The Last Shot.   

Here are three questions.  Anyone who gets ALL three correct, will be put in the drawing.  Make sure you include your name and address, as we will mail the certificates to winners:  

1.  Where in Massachusetts is a house built entirely of newspapers?

2.  What was America's first planned industrial city?

3.  In 1634, what Boston location became the first public park in America?  

Send your answers, with name, phone and address to: pmpco@aol.com.

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