Orleans Readies Historic Fourth Parade

ORLEANS – You only turn 250 once, and Orleans is ready to celebrate.

 The town will celebrate America’s semiquincentennial next week with its annual July 4 parade through downtown. The theme of this year’s event is, appropriately, “Sand and Sea: 250 Years Free.”

 “It was probably a given that some mention of the anniversary would be incorporated into the theme,” said Ben Wigren, who chairs the town’s Fourth of July committee.

 The committee has been hard at work over the past year readying this year’s parade, which once again kicks off at 10 a.m. from the parking lot of Nauset Regional Middle School. The parade will follow Eldredge Park Way and turn left onto Route 6A, left again down Main Street and left once more along Route 28 before finishing back at the middle school.

 Wigren, who has been on the committee since 2022, credited the committee’s former chair, Jenn Allard, for building the parade up in recent years. 

 “We’re just looking to keep that momentum going,” he said. “The 250 years provides that opportunity, and we expect the community to come out perhaps bigger than ever this year.”

 This year’s parade will feature a variety of floats from various local businesses and organizations. There also will be a number of antique cars in the parade, as well as a number of bands performing as part of the procession. The grand marshall this year is Michael Ford, Orleans’ longtime town counsel who relinquished that post last year to take the role of special counsel.

 “I believe he was town counsel for 40 years, so he’s looking forward to it,” Wigren said of Ford’s involvement.

 As in past years, candy and treats will be thrown from floats to spectators along the parade route. However, a stretch of Eldredge Park Way from Lots Hollow Road out to Route 6A has been designated as a “no candy zone” by the Orleans Police Department, Wigren said.

 “There is traffic that’s coming from 6A to Lots Hollow. It’s a one-way, but they’re trying to manage the safety of the crowd,” Wigren said, noting that spectators can still view the parade from the roadside in that area.

 First, second and third place awards will be given for the top three floats, with the top float earning the Bob Ward Memorial Cup. A fourth award will also be given for the most patriotic float, Wigren said.

 Those attending the July 4 parade are encouraged to arrive early. Parking is available in the Orleans Plaza parking lot, while a number of local businesses traditionally allow parking in their lots for the event.

 “The Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays, so to be part of the planning for one of our community’s biggest events of the year, it’s certainly gratifying,” Wigren said. “I just love seeing the community come together.”

 The parade will be preceded July 2 by the town’s annual fireworks display at dusk at Rock Harbor.