Bysiewicz Celebrates Parade's Return

By Michelle Warren, The Chronicle

July 2, 2021

Many folks have been itching for some fun after being cooped up for more than a year during the pandemic.

With the state having one of the highest vaccination rates in the country, the decision was made to allow large in-person events again.

For those in the Windham area, that means the return of the Boom Box Parade, which will start at noon Sunday on Main Street.

“We’re thrilled to be here to celebrate the reopening of Connecticut,” Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said during a press conference at Jillson Square Wednesday morning.

State Rep. Susan Johnson, D-Willimantic, state Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Mansfield, Windham Mayor Tom DeVivo, Windham Town Council President Dawn Niles, Windham Town Council member Rose Reyes, Willimantic Deputy Fire Chief Ron Palmer, Willimantic Police Chief Paul Hussey and Windham Chamber CEO/President Diane Nadeau also attended the press conference, as well as others.

Bysiewicz said, last summer, all of the Fourth of July parades and fireworks in the state were canceled because of the pandemic.

The Boom Box Parade was held virtually and was called a “Zoom Box Parade.”

Community members are thrilled to have the parade in-person again this year.

“This is a great event,” said WILI morning show host Wayne Norman, who serves as the parade’s grand marshal.

Anyone is welcome to participate in the parade, with no pre-registration required.

Participants will meet at the staging area at Jillson Square at 10 a.m.

Bysiewicz said she and Gov. Ned Lamont are planning to march in the parade.

Speaking about the pandemic, she said Connecticut is doing well compared to other states. However, Bysiewicz asked attendees to exercise caution at the parade, which she referred to as a “grassroots celebration.”

According to the state data portal, data.ct.gov, as of Wednesday night, 61.65 percent of residents had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 55.51 percent of residents were fully vaccinated.

Flexer urged people to get vaccinated, noting children under 12 cannot be vaccinated. She said those who are unvaccinated and attend the parade are putting children at risk.

“This parade is really a highlight for children,” Flexer said.

Willimantic resident Kathy Clark, who died in 2003, had the idea for the parade in 1986 when there wasn’t a marching band available for the Memorial Day parade.

There wasn’t enough time to have such a parade for Memorial Day that year, so the town held the parade for the Fourth of July instead.

“I think it’s going to be a great day on Sunday here in Romantic Willimantic,” Norman said. Marchers and parade attendees are asked to bring a boom box or radio and tune in to WILI, which will play patriotic tunes, at 1400 AM or 95.3 FM.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,’” said DeVivo, who marches in the parade every year.

Bysiewicz said it is important to celebrate “one of the area’s most anticipated” Fourth of July events, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate “all of the great things that are happening in town.”

Naming some examples, she referred to the housing demand in Windham and several “beautiful building projects.”

Follow Michelle Warren on Twitter - @mwarrentc.

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