Rockport: Firemen's Parade attracts thousands

ROCKPORT — From champions, community leaders and local business floats to clowns, miniature ponies and a lawn chair drill team — Rockport's Fourth of July parade featured something for everyone.

Almost as if on cue, the clouds parted in the sky over Rockport yesterday allowing sunshine to blanket the thousands of Independence Day revelers who crammed every porch and balcony along the mile-long Firemen's Association Parade route to cheer on their favorite bands, floats and costumed marchers.

While completing last-minute tasks at the start of the parade route on Jerden's Lane, Firemen's Association Vice President Jack Hennessey said the community's support this year was just "awesome."

"I want to thank all the people and businesses in town who donated to the Rockport Firemen's Association," Hennessey said. "We had a better year this year than in many years past. With the economy how it is this year, we really appreciate it. It's an awesome thing."

For the 45th consecutive year, recently retired Rockport High School guidance counselor George Ramsden III led the Firemen's Marching Clown Band dressed in a long red shirt and patriotic boxer shorts. Ramsden's trusty plunger received a makeover this year and featured shimmering gold tassels.

The parade route was laced with American flags and red, white and blue banners. Children pleaded for the float riders to toss candy to them, while some parents placed their youngsters atop their shoulders so the little ones could get a better view.

One group of children who enjoyed a different view of the parade this year were the White Sox, Rockport's Little League champions for the third consecutive year.

When Sox second baseman Andrew Wayrynen isn't on a parade float he said he most enjoys the people who dress up as gorillas, while teammate and pitcher Cam Doyle-Elwell said he always looks for the people throwing out the most candy.

Rockport's Minor A and Babe Ruth teams, both named the Pirates, also were champs this season and tossed candy to the crowd while perched on their own floats.

The parade also included musical acts, such as the Rockport Middle School Band, the Volume II Steel Drum Band and the Crann Tara Pipes & Drums of Boston, as well as state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, and a number of neighborhood and nonprofit groups. Anti-war groups and Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama supporters also joined in on the fun.

For nearly a decade, Sonja and Kevin Merz watched the parade from the sidelines, often covering their children's ears when the fire horns blew. But this year, the Rockport couple decided to join in on the fun, too.

The family spent three weekends building a pirate ship float, a ship on which their three children — Daniel, 4; Edward, 2; and Evelyn, 6 — could portray their favorite scenes from "Peter Pan" for the parade.

"They love 'Peter Pan'; Daniel wears the Peter costume nonstop, so the theme was kind of already picked," Kevin said.

"We watch the parade every year, but have never been in it," said Sonja. "The Steel Drum Band is always a favorite of ours."

Christine Robertson and her daughter, Nadia Robertson, 9, both of Rockport, try never to miss the parade.

"We love the steel drummers, they're always put last in the Gloucester and Rockport parades because everyone hangs around and waits for them," Christine said. "They always get people moving and dancing. We've come to dance behind them."

After the parade, the Firemen's Association sold food and beverages at the American Legion Bandstand, where the Legion Band entertained folks with patriotic tunes as they awaited the traditional Rockport Fourth of July finale — the lighting of the bonfire.

This year, the 28-foot tall wooden structure — the largest in recent memory — topped with a shed donated by Bob Murray, was constructed using between 1,200 and 1,400 wooden pallets.

Photos

George Ramsden III of Rockport, pretends to use his plunger as a trumpet while leading the Firemens Marching Clown Band during the annual Fourth of July Parade held in Rockport yesterday. Staff photo