Edgartown Fourth of July Parade Delivers Fun, Floats and Lots of Candy
The Boys & Girls Club float was an homage to Jaws, with a replica of the Orca (and a basketball hoop to boot).
The Boys & Girls Club float was an homage to Jaws, with a replica of the Orca (and a basketball hoop to boot).
Fred B. (Ted) Morgan Jr., longtime parade marshal and World War II veteran, led the way.
Fred B. (Ted) Morgan Jr., longtime parade marshal and World War II veteran, led the way.
Drummers keep the beat.
Drummers keep the beat.
Waiting for the parade to pass Edgartown Town Hall.
Waiting for the parade to pass Edgartown Town Hall.
Ethan Thibodeau waits for the parade to start.
Ethan Thibodeau waits for the parade to start.
The six Island police chiefs march in the parade.
The six Island police chiefs march in the parade.
Camp Jabberwocky wowed with costumes and creativity--and was named Most Original Float.
Camp Jabberwocky wowed with costumes and creativity--and was named Most Original Float.
Drummers with the Colonial Navy of Massachusetts 1775.
Drummers with the Colonial Navy of Massachusetts 1775.
Rising Tide Therapeutic Equestrian Center won best float.
Rising Tide Therapeutic Equestrian Center won best float.
Clifford the Big Red Dog, a tribute to Norman Bridwell.
Clifford the Big Red Dog, a tribute to Norman Bridwell.
Martha's Vineyard Youth Soccer represents.
Martha's Vineyard Youth Soccer represents.
Crowd gathered on North Water street.
Crowd gathered on North Water street.
Marchers traveled by foot, float, and even unicycle.
Marchers traveled by foot, float, and even unicycle.
A high five from Sharky, the MV Sharks' mascot.
A high five from Sharky, the MV Sharks' mascot.
Fireworks over Edgartown Harbor capped off the day.
Fireworks over Edgartown Harbor capped off the day.
The sun finally came out Saturday right as the annual Fourth of July parade got underway, delighting the crowds lining Edgartown streets and bringing relief to parade organizers, who had been carefully watching rainy weather forecasts.
With parade grand marshal Joseph E. Sollitto Jr. and longtime parade leader Fred B. (Ted) Morgan Jr. leading the way, the parade set off prompty at 5 p.m. with plenty of patriotic pomp. As always, the parade was a wide-ranging glimpse of Islanders and Island organizations. Veterans, police and fire officials, and Island selectmen led the way, joined by marchers of all ages (and species, with several alpacas and dogs participating in the action). Grace Episcopal Church had a large lobster roll float, dancers from The Yard performed to delighted crowds, and bands and bagpipes were out in abundance. On the sidelines, children kept their arms outstretched and their eyes peeled for candy tossed from floats.
Martha's Vineyard Youth Soccer players, clad in their purple and black jerseys, were joined on their float by "Giant Sword Guy" Michael Craughwell, the Scottish Society played their bagpipes, and the Rotary Club won a special prize for their float, which featured a replica train from the Cottage City to Katama railroad.