It takes the Wakefield Independence Day Committee many months to put together the annual July Fourth Parade, and Monday’s parade was no exception. But even for mere spectators, attending the parade involves a good deal of advance planning in order to stake out a prime viewing spot. As early as Sunday afternoon there were so many plastic chairs lining the parade route that, as one local wit observed, it looked like South Boston on the day after a blizzard.

There have been longer Independence Day Parades in past years, but even at just over one hour in length, Monday’s parade was a feast of floats, flags, fire engines, marching bands, color guards, horses, costumes and uniforms.

Missing in action were the elected officials and politicians. Even native son Sen. Scott Brown, who brought his star power to last year’s parade, took a pass this year. Sure, our stalwart selectmen marched, as did State Rep. Donald Wong and Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian. But unlike last year, there was no Continue reading ‘Even Sans Pols, Parade Packs Punch’