Parade blends themes of patriotism, community spirit
From left, Ryleigh Ouellette, 6, Axton Arsenault, 5, and Ariana Arsenault, 7, decked out in red white and blue as they waited for the parade. Photos by Sandy Quadros Bowles 
From left, Lucas Dargon, 7, mom Mickey Dargon and Benji Dargon, 6, of Wareham.
Sparky the fire dog waves from atop the Marion Firefighters Association vehicle. 
Cameron Mastin, left, and Tylan Allen from Alabama, visiting sailors from the soon to be commissioned submarine Massachusetts, marched as part of their visit to town.
Suzanne Carlson of Rochester with Buddy the Boston terrier.
The Portuguese American Band and the Marion Concert Band provided the music.
Wareham residents from left, Laurie, Lilly and John Kelsch, who is originally from Marion, enjoyed the parade.
Tractors were among the vehicles in the parade.
Not all the parade vehicles had four wheels, as these young bicyclists proved.
Eoghan McDonagh celebrated his sixth birthday on July 4 alongside his mother Kate Rose of New Bedford.
From left, Lisa Morais, Madison Caton, 12, and Mason Caton, 10, of Rochester, brought along their American Eskimo dog Crystal.
The Rochester Fire Department was represented.
Greetings from the Mattapoisett Fire Department.
Jaxon Casey, 5, and Charlotte Casey, 8, dressed for the occasion. 
A driveway along the route was painted in patriotic images.
From left, Ryleigh Ouellette, 6, Axton Arsenault, 5, and Ariana Arsenault, 7, decked out in red white and blue as they waited for the parade. Photos by Sandy Quadros Bowles
From left, Lucas Dargon, 7, mom Mickey Dargon and Benji Dargon, 6, of Wareham.
Sparky the fire dog waves from atop the Marion Firefighters Association vehicle.
Cameron Mastin, left, and Tylan Allen from Alabama, visiting sailors from the soon to be commissioned submarine Massachusetts, marched as part of their visit to town.
Suzanne Carlson of Rochester with Buddy the Boston terrier.
The Portuguese American Band and the Marion Concert Band provided the music.
Wareham residents from left, Laurie, Lilly and John Kelsch, who is originally from Marion, enjoyed the parade.
Tractors were among the vehicles in the parade.
Not all the parade vehicles had four wheels, as these young bicyclists proved.
Eoghan McDonagh celebrated his sixth birthday on July 4 alongside his mother Kate Rose of New Bedford.
From left, Lisa Morais, Madison Caton, 12, and Mason Caton, 10, of Rochester, brought along their American Eskimo dog Crystal.
The Rochester Fire Department was represented.
Greetings from the Mattapoisett Fire Department.
Jaxon Casey, 5, and Charlotte Casey, 8, dressed for the occasion.
A driveway along the route was painted in patriotic images.
MARION — Patriotism and community spirit paraded through Marion Monday morning during the annual Fourth of July celebration.
The parade combined traditional staples, such as bands, vintage vehicles, police cruisers and fire trucks, with features that reflected the town’s rural background, including tractors and horses.
And there there was the favorite part of the parade in the opinion of five-year-old Marion resident Axton Arsenault: “Throwing candy.’’
The parade formed at the ball field behind Marion Town House and adjacent to Sippican School.
The route proceeded east on Main Street to Spring Street, north on Spring Street to Route 6, east on Route 6 to Front Street, south on Front Street to Main Street, then west on Main Street to the ball field adjacent to Sippican School where the parade disbanded.
This year’s parade featured two special visitors, sailors from the soon to be commissioned USS Massachusetts submarine.
In addition to marching in the parade, the two men, Cameron Mastin from Wisconsin and Tylan Allen from Alabama visited with Marion resident Capt. Bill Hollman, retired U.S. Navy and a member of the USS Massachusetts (SSN 798) Commissioning Committee.
He gave them a tour of the town and spent some “quality time’’ with them at the Beverly Yacht Club the day before the parade. They even had the chance to ride on a harbormaster vessel for a security cruise.
“This is part of the effort to build a bond between the Navy, its sailors and the commonwealth for which the [submarine] will be christened,’’ Hollman said.
Eoghan McDonagh of New Bedford shares his birthday with the nation, turning six on July 4. He received a shout-out from the announcer on the Friends of Jack float.
His mother, Kate Rose, said the parade is special for her family. “It’s been our tradition since I was a kid,’’ she said.
Lilly Kelsch of Wareham said she was a fan of Fourth of July festivities. “You get to see the fireworks and the parade,’’ she said.
Doreen and Stephen Soares of Fall River attended to watch their grandchildren, Amelia and Charles Whinnem, march with their scouting organization.
The parade evokes a sense of nostalgia for Doreen Soares. “It’s great to see the tradition’’ continue, she said.
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