Community Pride on Display at Fourth of July Parade
July 7, 2025
• The annual tradition once again brought in many spectators while fostering a greater sense of town pride.
With barely a cloud in the sky, the early July morning was hot. Yet, hundreds of Needham residents set up lawn chairs roadside while sporting patriotic wear and waving mini American flags for Needham’s annual Fourth of July parade.
Starting at Greene’s Field, the parade began at 9 a.m., following the YMCA 4th of July 5K. The blaring sirens of the fire trucks and ambulances at the front of the parade signaled to the many young families, teens, couples and anyone else in attendance that the excitement was on its way.
Not far behind the firetrucks was a line of convertibles, with former Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick leading the line as the parade’s grand marshal. Fitzpatrick retired after 35 years in public service in Needham.
The Needham Exchange Club, who organizes the parade, honored Fitzpatrick the position of grand marshal as a final thank-you. She called it “a once-in-a-lifetime” recognition.
She rode in the car with her daughter Molly and grandson Teddy, waving and smiling at everyone, and she said she was especially excited to see many familiar faces watching the parade.
“I hope people keep this parade going. It’s a sense of community that people love about Needham and that’s why they live here,” she said. “And the 4th of July really brings that out and makes them feel happy about their town.”
Other officials participated in the festivities, including Tamisha Civil from the Governor’s Council, state Sen. Becca Rausch, state Rep. Josh Tarsky and members of the Needham Select Board.
Tarsky, a first-term legislator, had never participated in the parade before Friday and looked forward to seeing the people he represents.
“I thought it was a great event with great turnout,” Tarsky said. “It was really an honor to be a part of it and see so many engaged citizens.”
The parade is organized by the Needham Exchange Club every year as well as supported by individual donations and a variety of town businesses. The club is additionally in charge of organizing the fireworks display at Needham High School the night before the parade, which was slightly delayed due to rain.
Cathy Lunetta attends the parade every single year. Her husband, Rick Lunetta, served as a former president of the Exchange Club. She noted how the parade is a great community event.
“People get all dressed up, and the kids get all excited,” she said.
Next in the parade was a truck carrying veterans, and not too far behind were many young kids riding in a parade of bikes. The League of Women Voters, theatre troupes and musical groups marched in between the parade floats.
Colonial-era reenactors also walked amongst modern-day folk, firing loud muskets that, at times, startled attendees. Their traditional garb served as a reminder of the soldiers who fought for America’s independence.
Many families with young kids came out to watch the parade as well, including the Sabey family. Their 3 and 6-year-olds enjoy the loud and bright trucks roaring by, and the elder Sabeys mingled with friends.
Since moving to Needham six years ago, the parade has become a semi-annual tradition for them, father Greg Sabey said.
“Needham Fourth of July, they always do a great job,” he said. “The parade is always a winner. There’s a great sense of community.”
The parade concluded right in front of the library, where the floats dispersed down Highland Avenue and residents went about their holiday plans. The consensus among locals seemed to be that they will be roadside bright and early this time next year.
Molly Krupat is a rising senior at Needham High School. She has previously written for The Hilltopper and NewspapHER, both out of NHS, as well as the Needham Observer.
