For most people, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial beginning of the Summer. But for me, it’s usually the second week in June: Parade Day Weekend. Having grown up in Charlestown, Massachusetts, I was always hyper aware of the history that the town held. Being able to see the Bunker Hill Monument from basically anywhere in the town and having the USS Constitution docked blocks away from my house, it was a hard thing to ignore, especially when hundreds of tourists are roaming around all summer as well. But one of my favorite reminders is something that only comes around one week a year.
The Bunker Hill Day Parade has always been one of my favorite traditions. For someone from Charlestown, it is a holiday that is almost akin to Christmas. This parade is not just something that celebrates those who fought and died during one of the earliest battles of the Revolutionary War, but it celebrates the people of Charlestown as well. The whole week leading up to the Sunday afternoon parade, or Charlestown Pride Week, is filled with events that all members of the community attend to support and honor the fellow members of their community. From the Thursday night concert at Eden Street Park to the Edna Kelly Doll Carriage Parade, from the Boys and Girls Club Road Race to Mass at St. Francis de Sales on Bunker Hill itself and everything in between, there is no shortage of events and opportunities to show your hometown spirit.
Remembering the history of this event is also very important this week. Having taken place on June 17, 1775, this battle happened nearly a year before the Declaration of Independence was even signed. Although the Patriots lost the battle, the British lost more people during the fighting. Like the battles of Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill sent a strong message to all thirteen colonies and England itself that they were not going to give up without a fight. Since the anniversary of the battle does not usually fall on the same day as the parade, a ceremony always takes place at the sight of the Bunker Hill Monument atop of Breed’s Hill with members of every branch of the military to show respect for our Nation’s first defenders.
There are a lot of reasons why I enjoy this weekend so much. For one, the parade itself never disappoints. There are always many bands, floats, costumed characters and all other different things. But the parade is not where the day stops. Almost everyone in town, or at least one person per family, throws a party or barbecue after it ends. Through the night, people jump around from house to house visiting family members and friends. This is usually the day to catch up with the people you probably haven’t seen since the year before. Having a day to just hang out with and catch up with your family without all of the pressures that usually accompanies holidays is always a nice plus.
I think I can speak for most of the people of Charlestown when I say the Bunker Hill Day Parade is one of the best traditions the town has. It seems to bring an already tight knit community together even more so. I know for a fact that no matter where I end up in my life, I will always come back to Charlestown for it. I cannot wait to share this tradition with my own family in the future and I sincerely hope that it is something that sticks around for generations to come.
