Wakefield's July 4th Parade: Even More Floats

Wakefield's annual celebration of Independence Day, already one of the largest events in the region, is shaping up to be even bigger than usual. 

Instead of the usual 10-12 floats, this year there are 18 registered floats, according to the Wakefield Independence Day Committee, which organizes the parade each year. 

"We will probably send out two at a time," said organizer Cindy Schatz. "The goal is to keep the parade moving, with as few gaps and pauses as possible."

All 18 floats are competing for some nice pocket change: $600 for first place, $300 for second place, and $150 for third place. 

The parade begins at 5 p.m. The staging area is on Quannapowittt Parkway, just  before the intersection of North Ave. The parade starts at North Ave., in front of Lakeside  Office Park and continues to Church St., then takes a right on Common St. and continues to  Main St. The end of the parade is just before North Ave., by the Americal Civic Center.

The 2012 Parade: "Celebrate America"
This year's Grand Marshal is Colonel Stephen Zarbo, a Wakefield native who has completed two tours of duty with the  Second and 25th Infantry Divisions and the Combat  Maneuver Training Center in Hohenfels, Germany.  For the past 27 years, he has worked for the  Department of Defense, with 21 as an active duty  soldier.

 Zarbo  graduated from Wakefield Memorial High School in  May 1982 and attended Framingham State College.  He enlisted in the Army Reserve during his  sophomore year. After a year in the Army Reserve, Zarbo enrolled at  Worcester Polytech, went into the R.O.T.C.  program, and was commissioned as a Military  Intelligence Officer in 1986. After his 1987  graduation, Zarbo went into the active Army as a  Tactical Intelligence officer.

The 2012 parade will also feature local candidates for elections, both Mrs. Massachusetts and Miss Massachusetts Preteen will be in attendance, an antique car show, active military personnel, and several live bands. 

The mammoth parade that costs upwards of $55k each year is put on every year by Wakefield's Independence Day Committee, and is financed entirely by donations. To donate to next year's parade, click here. 

The First Division of the Parade is sponsored by Dutton Family Care Associates.   The Second Division is sponsored by Mark Fanelli’s Traveling Amusement Park.

The Drum and Bugle corps are underwritten by the Major Sponsors: Brother’s Restaurant, Caporale’s Wine and Spirits, Market Basket, Northrup Associates Realtors, Shaw’s, Wakefield Co-operative Bank.

The appearance of the other, out-of-area bands, is subsidized by the Unit Sponsors:  Breton Electric, Artichokes Restaurant & Bar, Christopher J. Barrett Realtors, Crystal Community Club, Designer Lawn Sprinkler Service, Giant Glass, Golden Rule Lodge A.F. & A.M., Mel & Sons Oil Sales, Mun Su Sa Buddhist Temple, Russell Disposal,  The Savings Bank.

Many other businesses and organizations have also contributed towards the cost of the Parade with donations, along with hundreds of Wakefield residents. 

See the list below for the full list of organizations and sponsors. For a full list of the other . 

Line of March

• Wakefield Fire Department
• All other Municipal Fire Departments
• Antique Fire Trucks
• Wakefield Police Color Guard

First Division – Sponsored by Dutton Family Care Associates

• Grand Marshal – Colonel Steven Zarba,  Army National Guard
• Wakefield Board of Selectmen
• Colonel Bailey’s 2^nd Massachusetts Regiment
• Floats #1 and #2
• West Side Social Club Doll Carriage Winners
• Clan MacPherson bag pipe band
• Lynn English High School Junior  ROTC
• Miss Massachusetts, of the USA Ambassador Jr. Preteen (age 7-9) pageant
• Mrs. Massachusetts
• Floats #3 and #4
• Wakefield  Sports Champs
• Tony Barrie Band
• Ponderaia Ranch Parade Horses
• Floats #5 and #6
• Antique Cars and Trucks
• Wakefield Scouts (marching))
• Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps
• Floats # 7 and #8
• Dick Bayrd Family in Native American Dress
• All Active Military
• Fralinger String Band (Mummers band from Philadelphia)
• Floats # 9 and #10
• Baltimore City Police Band (Maryland)

SECOND DIVISION - Sponsored by Mark Fanelli’s Traveling Amusement Park

• The Wakefield American Legion Honor Guard
• Marine Corps League of Essex County
• The Waltham American Legion Band
• Antique Military Vehicles
• Floats #11 and # 12
• Colts Drum & Bugle corps
• Hurdy Gurdy Man
• Clowns of America
• Floats #13 and # 14
• Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps (DCI World Class (formerly Division I), from San Antonio Texas)
• Floats #15 and #16
• Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps (from South Carolina)
• Floats # 17 and #18
• The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps