So sad.....

I know my family is disappointed to hear about the cancellation this year!
First, the fireworks and now the parade. We still miss the fireworks. We loved watching them from the Christmas Tree Shop parking lot.
It's sad that neither Framingham nor Natick has a parade or fireworks for Independence Day.

Perhaps if some of the "new" townies would get involved so that their children and those of us who were children, our children and their children would be able to see the parade again, and all the activities that went with the 4th, i.e. Dug Pond events, Doll Carriage Parade, the 4th of July Ice Show at the old WSA, now the "William L. Chase Arena, the floats, the bands - what a shame that no one is interested in keeping the 4th Parade alive and its other wonderful and fun events that went with the 4th celebration.
jat0535@comcast.net

First they came for the Fireworks........
Then they came for the Redmen.........
Now they grabbed the Independance Day Parade........
Mark, you and townies are next.

i wonder if enough people volunteered, if the parade could still go on...if so, make a facebook page and call news outlets and see if you can get support/volunteers that way. Im sure alot of folks would step up if they knew what was going on. no one wants this tradition to end. it would be like letting Casey's close down!

One more thing that proves Natick isn't what it used to be.
If the town didn't drive everyone out, maybe there would be people around to keep up the tradition.

Maybe if Natick felt more inclusive where "newbies" and "townies" were both renamed to "Natickites" we could all work together to keep traditions, maybe bring back old traditions or start new ones. There are a lot of good people in Natick. When are we going to stop talking and writing comments and get out to pound the pavement and working together for a better future for Natick.

What an absolute shame. I was born and brought up in this town and missed 2 parades in my life. It has been a tradition for this town and one that I have continued for my child, but it is being stripped away. I volunteered last year and was unable to make first meeting due to work. I asked for minutes of meeting and opened myself for any task that needed to be done. I never heard anything else and shame on me for not pursuing it. I understand there has been a change in leadership for the committee. Again, I am game for keeping this tradition going, but can't do it alone. Why are these large companies in Natick not taking a more active role. Schools, grocery stores, banks, the hospital, to say a few were active participant. It was a friendly competition to see who could have a bigger and brighter display. Well aware of budgets, but it is a once a year event that nurtures this town and brings people together. Town pride is gone! Does a new committee, with a fresh perspective be formed?

My family has been attending the parade since 1962. We started without children and now bring our grand children. We have family that comes from all over the country. I would think that we could keep this going by asking for donations and volunteers in the right places. I know that there are members of my family who would volunteer to help. Please don't take one of the last exciting days that all people can celebrate together away from our children and all town residents. We have a lot of big business in town that should be willing to to help support the parade financially. How about everyone getting together to get this going . Marilyn Porter

OK, Where do we start? Let's save it! I dislike hearing "if this group, or that group would get involved" etc. We are ALL Natick residents so lets do it. I haven't missed one in 23 years at least and living along the route it is special to my family. I will help as much as I can. We NEED to do this. Then we need to get the fireworks back. Must say i am not surprised though. I have been hearing the rumors for years now that the chairman was stepping down and unless someone stepped up it would be cancelled. Sad. If it is cancelled I say we get the town to let everyone walk/jog the parade route together as a show of support for the town.

So where do we start? I have ideas and work for a large employer here in town... namely Metrowest Medical Center. Money, sponsors, ideas needed. Local and State rep support, but also small employers. They need to approach the parade as an advertising venue also.

People from Natick call themselves townies...corniest thing I've ever heard... So glad I moved out of that little wellesley joke.

This is a wonderful community to be a part of. As a relatively new Natick resident with a young family, I would love to contribute to this tradition. Blaming the new people is easy to do but we are the next generation here. I never heard about a call for volunteers, is this actually just an excuse to let it go? Last year was the weakest it had been in years. It sure sounds like everyone here would contribute to keep it going!

On behalf of my husband Bob Donahue. He was a paraplegic who. Loved this town and the people. He worked day and night helping to get the ride for the disabled in metro west. he also was responsible for the curb cuts otherwise so many people were unable to get to see the parade. bobs dreams came reality and now they want to stop the parade. this is wrong!
So many of us will be so saddenned if this happens. parents. grandparents.great grandparents and all the childrenfor all of us this day has become a family tradition. we used to start out at the parade and then off to the field for the kids party with races. pie eating contests followed by the great rex trailer show. after that a quick dip at dug and then home for the family cookout. this would all lead up to the woderful fireworks to end the day
so we lost the fireworks, kids party,and now the parade. we can't let this happen please,if they cancel the parade, that will be forever like everything else. i am also disabled as was bob but i am willing to do anything that i can to keep this family tradition alive.
lost the

This is sad to see

I haven't seen any, yet I guess I'm not sure where I would look?

Why should the parade cost a lot of money? It's about the PEOPLE. I remember growing up in Natick, my friends and I would be in the "Horribles" parade. We would all get dressed up as monsters, cereal boxes, etc. and have a blast! I love the idea of as many people as possible just walking the parade route, singing patriotic songs, pulling wagons full of kids, baby carriages, wheel chairs, etc. Natick is a wonderful town. Janet

First the fireworks, now the parade - PRETTY SAD!!!!

Why don't you guys contact David Linskey????