Photos by Karen Sackowitz
It’s a tradition that’s been going more than half a century–the annual Nod Hill neighborhood 4th of July Parade.
Hosted by a committee of Nod Hill Rd. area residents, the parade and accompanying picnic and celebration is something that takes place every year on July 4, starting at 4 p.m. This year was the first year it took place on July 5. People living on Nod Hill Rd. or streets off of Nod receive an invitation in their mailboxes about a week before, but judging by the work people put into the floats, they start preparing well before.
The parade route varies, but it always starts on a Nod Hill side road; this year’s parade began at Breed’s Hill Pl., and proceeded about a half-mile north on Nod Hill. A panel of judges reviews the floats and give out prizes and awards.
This year the Best In Show Award went to the ship float (pictured in main article image). It was created by neighbors who transformed a minivan into a ship, and featured children in native American and Colonist costumes — plus live chickens! At the judges’ table they read a soliloquy about the Boston Tea Party and then – you guessed it – threw boxes of “tea” off the boat.
Afterward, revelers celebrated with music, lawn games for every age (sack race, egg toss, etc.) and a picnic hosted by a neighborhood family.
