Just as it has for the past 55 years, Natick will celebrate the Fourth of July with a parade through town Monday, beginning at 9 a.m.

The parade route will begin at the plaza at the intersection of routes 9 and 27 and continue down 27 to the intersection of Route 135, ending just past St. Patrick's Church.

This year, the children's parade, which has been on family night in past years, will lead the pack starting at the railroad bridge at the intersection of Route 27 and North Avenue.

Jo-Ann Becker, a volunteer in town and on the Friends of the Fourth committee who died last year, will be the Grand Marshal in Memoriam.

Click here to see the full list of bands marching in the parade.

The July 4 festivities are sponsored by the Friends of the Fourth, a nonprofit group that begins to plan for the day around six months in advance. The organization does not receive funding from the town and relies solely on donations. Donation jars can be found at Liberty's Ice Cream, Bacon Street Farm, Natick Pizza and Natick Wine and Spirits.

The group is looking for more volunteers for next year, otherwise the 56-year parade tradition may come to an end. See the full article here.