LYNN — The city’s Fourth of July procession has brought families and friends in the area together for more than six decades.
Though the torch of lead organizer has passed through different hands for many years, Michele Brewster — in her sixth year as lead organizer — doesn’t plan on stepping away from the preparation of the parade for her “favorite holiday” anytime soon.
“It’s all about the kids,” Brewster said. “I love seeing the families and the kids come together and have a great time.”
According to Brewster, each year an average of 200 people show up to the parade, which usually lasts from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This year, the parade will start on Lynnfield Street before going down Great Wood Street to the entrance of the Lynn Woods Reservation. It will finish at the girls softball fields at Wyoma Little League Field, where there will be activities including pony rides, egg tosses, and face painting.
Due to concerns about the weather, with rain forecasted for much of Monday and Tuesday, Brewster opted to reschedule the parade for July 9.
“I’m really sorry about the change with the date,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “I want us all to be able to have the parade and festivities and be safe.”
The planning process for the parade began around three months ago and involved rallying the city’s entire community — from dedicated volunteers and residents providing donations, to city officials, such as School Committee member Lorraine Gately and City Councilor-at-Large Brian Field, showing their support.
According to Field, the City Council has “always supported local residents and volunteers.”
“I personally enjoy participating in parades as an elected official because I feel it keeps traditions going, and maybe it will inspire some of the younger generation to get involved with public service someday,” Field said. “My hope is that these traditions help build a greater pride in our community in a safe and memorable way.”
Brewster’s daughter Nicole Brewster said she appreciates the support of local elected officials.
“They always come down to the fields, say a little speech to the kids and to the parents and the community,” Nicole Brewster said. “They’re very supportive, giving donations and that sort of thing.”
As a grandmother of five children, Michele Brewster values the preparation for the parade as a chance to create quality memories with her family. Ever since moving to the neighborhood 22 years ago, Michele Brewster; her husband, Glen Brewster; and her daughters, Daniele Cunha and Nicole Brewster, have found different ways to participate in the parade.
“Now, even my grandchildren are involved in it and they do help me out with collecting money around the neighborhood and letting [residents] know about the event,” Michele Brewster said.
Cunha is glad to bring her kids into a tradition that she fondly remembers taking part in as a child.
“Lynn is a big city, so I think it’s rewarding when you can get a lot of people in the community together to do something for the kids that day,” she said.
Brewster worked closely with community members Patty Lauria, Lisa Derby, Edi Amenta, Kathy Tartarini, Shawna Hemingway, Donna Brown, and Lisa Trahant to bring the event to life this year.
“It takes a great group of neighborhood families to do this event, and the Lynn Woods neighborhood is fantastic,” Michele Brewster said.
