PETERSHAM – The upcoming Fourth of July parade will include retiring Petersham Fire Chief Dana Robinson as grand marshal.

Robinson is retiring after more than three decades as fire chief. Following the parade, a ceremony honoring him will be held at the gazebo on Town Common. Several other residents will receive citations. The National Anthem will be sung by Karen Hagar. The parade begins at 10 a.m. in the center of town.

“Last year was the first time we’d had the parade in a couple of years due to COVID, so we were calling that a ‘bridge year’ just to get us back on our feet,” said parade organizer Susan Dougherty. “This year, I think, we’re adding some more steam. The big difference this year is because the grand marshal is Dana Robinson, who’s the retiring fire chief, there’s going to be a big fire department presence.”

Dougherty said units will be coming from several neighboring fire departments, with Robinson riding in Petersham’s antique fire engine, right behind the color guard.

“So, this year we’re putting all the fire trucks right up front,” Dougherty said. “Becky Legare, who’s on the fire department, she says there will be anywhere from 10 to 15 fire trucks. It’s going to be huge; and when they all get going with their sirens it’s going to be loud.”

Dougherty said about 115 people participated in last year’s parade, but this year, with all the firefighters that will be taking part, it could be even more. She added that special consideration is being given to the parade’s equine contingent.

“In the past, we put the horses in the front and the motorcycles and the fire trucks in the back. This year, because of the grand marshal situation, we’re going to reverse that,” she said. “So, it’ll be fire trucks, then we’ve got motorcycles and ATVs. Behind that will be the cars, the floats, antique cars; we’ve got at least one 1926 Model T coming in. Behind that there will be people walking, and then at the end we’ll have all of the horses.”

Dougherty said the New England Equestrian Center of Athol would be adding 10-15 horses to the parade. However, despite best efforts, there will be no musical portion.

“I was looking at a bagpiper who just did not want to compete with fire trucks,” she said. “I totally get it.”

The parade will follow a circuitous route, starting at the flag pole at the center of town and continuing along West, Hardwick, and Spring streets, a short distance on Route 32, and back to the center of town. This will be the 26th year that Petersham has held a July Fourth parade since it was revived in 1997 by resident Beth Cummings, several years after the tradition had ceased.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.

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