LYNNFIELD — The Pillings Pond parade was created with community in mind. The annual tradition has become a staple in Lynnfield on the Fourth of July, as residents gather to watch boats decorated in red, white, and blue sail across the pond.
In fact, it was Lynnfield resident Antonio Sordillo who started the parade just a few years after moving to the town in 2018. It was during the pandemic that he and the other residents started doing celebratory birthday parades where they’d get in their cars and drive by each other’s homes to celebrate. Sordillo, whose home sits right along the pond, then got the idea to do a parade with their boats right on the water.
“All of the neighbors were like, ‘We got to keep doing this!’ It’s kind of fun,” Sordillo recalled.
Next thing he knew, people in town started gathering on Summer Street by Rotary Park to enjoy the view. Today, Sordillo’s own boat has continued to lead the parade, which starts with the national anthem after the participating boats line up, followed by a full lap around the entire pond starting from the east end.
The entire event, which set sail at 11 a.m., is 45 minutes of splendor.
“I love it,” Sordillo said with a smile before explaining the history of the 90-acre pond itself.
He said it is swimmable from the side where his property resides and gets tested regularly. The other side, however, is not, as the shallow waters get warm from the sunlight and build up algae growth and bacteria.
He started the Pillings Pond Foundation two years ago, with the purpose of protecting and preserving the pond, as well as conducting conservation efforts such as monitoring and improving the overall water quality. He actively serves as the foundation’s president.
“We’re working diligently with the town and public officials on grants to try to get the other half of the pond eventually dredged,” Sordillo said.
His goal is to also enhance Rotary Park through more community access, and the foundation is currently working on a capital campaign project to build a large, 40-foot pier so residents can enjoy fishing and launching kayaks. He even envisions that those with boats, like himself, could stop and pick people up to take them for rides around the pond.
“That’s a big thing that I want: to increase the public access so more residents of Lynnfield can enjoy this hidden gem,” he added.
