It was a cold, windy day on Saturday, May 7, when Old Rochester Youth Baseball held its Opening Day Parade. However, President David Arancio assured parents and players that the festivities would continue, rain or shine.

“I was up all night making judgment calls,” Arancio said, “but you guys deserve this opening day.”

For the first time since 2019, Old Rochester Youth Baseball was able to hold the parade and return to activities.

As a 100% self-funded and volunteer-run league, Arancio said that the day was made possible by local businesses and volunteers.

“Without them, we can’t put on great events like this,” he said.

All teams gathered at the Council on Aging bright and early at 8 a.m., all bundled up and ready to march over to the field at Gifford Park.

“As a parent, I know what a joy it is to see your child play for the first time. These are all memories we cherish,” said Arancio.

Families waved and cheered from the sidelines as the teams marched, accompanied by 5th- and 6th-grade percussionists from the Rochester Memorial School band.

Chris Williamson, the RMS band director, said she was “really glad” that they were asked to play. “The kids practiced really hard,” she said.

The opening ceremony included welcoming remarks, the celebration of 12-year-olds in their last year of youth baseball, and the national anthem, sung by Sophia Crippin, a 10-year-old at the Sippican School. After the ceremony, the teams split up and headed out to their first games of the season.

“I just couldn’t believe it when we came around the corner and saw the big flag,” said Williamson, noting how good it feels to have events like this again.