Chief Marshal McDermott to lead Westport 4th parade

Four-mile celebration starts at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 4

Posted 6/26/17

If it’s not too much to ask of Mother Nature, a day just like last July 4 would be mighty nice, say organizers of Westport’s annual Fourth of July Parade.

The Parade steps off Tuesday at 10 …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Chief Marshal McDermott to lead Westport 4th parade

Four-mile celebration starts at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 4

Posted

If it’s not too much to ask of Mother Nature, a day just like last July 4 would be mighty nice, say organizers of Westport’s annual Fourth of July Parade.

The Parade steps off Tuesday at 10 a.m. sharp from the corner of Hix Bridge Road and Main Road for the four mile drive north to the high school.

Last year brought sunshine, temperatures in the low 80s and low humidity, a far cry from the deluges of a few years earlier.

“Let’s hope,” said parade committee chairman David Palmer now in his fifth year as parade organizer.

Parade chief marshal honors this year go to Jack McDermott who is recently retired from a 42-year stint as a town tax assessor.

“Forty-two years — that’s impressive,” Mr. Palmer said. “This is the town’s chance to give a little thank you for what must sometimes seem like a thankless job.”

Mr. McDermott will ride in a convertible driven by colleague Steve Medeiros.

The assignment of asking the chief marshal candidate was given to his daughter Ann — he’s not one to seek out the limelight but accepted graciously.

Depending on the weather, last year’s chief marshal, Eddie ‘Fast Eddie’ Beaulieu may also make another parade appearance. The longtime owner of Beaulieu’s Garage in Westport recently turned 101.

Volunteers welcome

With several members of the parade organizing committee now retired, Mr. Palmer said the committee could use some new volunteers.

Some are needed to assist in getting things organized at the start — “they’ll be paired up with a veteran to see how it’s done,” Mr. Palmer said.

And others are needed to drive the parade route on golf carts to serve as parade monitors. That entails making sure the parade flows smoothly, that there are no unnecessary stops, and that spectators and parade participants are following the safety rules.

“Safety is our foremost priority,” Mr. Palmer said. “And please, no stopping.”

New traffic pattern

The only blemish on last year’s parade came right at the start when an ambulance needed to respond to a medical emergency at the corner of Kirby and Main roads. Because parade vehicles were lined up along both sides of Hix Bridge Road (where the fire station is located) as usual, “they had a tough time getting through — there was five minutes of turmoil for all involved,” Mr. Palmer said, adding that there has been a need to get emergency vehicles through there during three of the past four parades.

To ease that congestion and keep Hix Bridge Road wide open, antique cars and trucks will line up this year in Beech Grove Cemetery, only venturing out onto Hix Bridge Road when it is their turn to roll. Other vehicles will line up along the grassy edge of the south side of Hix Bridge Road.

Otherwise the parade route remains the same — a straight shot up Main Road.

“Again we stress that this is a driving parade, not a walking parade,” Mr. Palmer said. “Four miles is too far to walk, especially in hot weather.”

Those who do choose to march in some places must be accompanied by a vehicle that they can quickly board.

Heat can be a challenge, and Mr. Palmer still remembers the thunder, lightning and downpours that hit a few years ago. The parade had to beat a fast retreat to shelter at the high school.

Same rules

The committee requests that spectators and participants abide by common sense rules.

Among these are no Silly String, and no water guns or water balloons, even if it is hot (a girl on a vehicle was injured a few years ago when she was hit in the eye by a water balloon).

Also, “no politics please — this is a parade to celebrate our nation’s independence,” and “absolutely no motorcycles.”

Participants are also urged to bring drinking water. The committee has some of its own that it hands out when needed, “but we always run out.”

For more on the parade, visit the parade website at www.westportmajuly4parade.com.

There is also a Facebook page. Offers of help or pressing questions can be directed to Mr. Palmer at davefixit7@hotmail.com or by calling 636-2180.

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.