Estimated 70,000 Brave Heat to View Fourth of July Parade-July 5, 1990

An estimated crowd of up to 70,000 spectators braved sweltering evening heat yesterday to witness Norwood’s annual Fourth of July parade along Washington Street. Parade organizer Paul Wasil noted that the turnout between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. marked the largest audience in the event’s history.

“Everyone told me they had a super time,” Wasil said. “Some even said it was the best parade they’d ever seen.”

Parade Highlights and Distinguished Guests

Featured attractions included performances by the Canadian Ridge Raiders marching band, the New York Lancers marching band from the Bronx, and the Philadelphia Hegeman String Band Hummers. Spectators also admired scores of antique automobiles and a dedicated parade float carrying a scaled-down architectural replica of the original 19th-century St. Catherine of Siena Church. Wasil reported that the $18,000 operating cost was jointly funded by the town, the Norwood Jaycees, and Roche Brothers supermarket.

Among the out-of-town visitors was Kevin Sherbrooke of Los Angeles, in town for a wedding: “We don’t have anything like this on the West Coast. This really is an excellent example of Eastern Americana. It’s nice to see so many people participate.” Local resident Pat Tobin and her 12-year-old daughter, Stacey, staked out their viewing spot on the BayBank steps in Norwood Center an hour and a half early, observing that the parade outsized neighboring towns’ celebrations.

A prominent contingent of political candidates participated in the procession, including gubernatorial hopefuls state Rep. Steven Pierce of Westfield and William Weld; Democratic attorney general candidate Scott Harshbarger; U.S. Senate candidate James Rappaport; state Sen. William Keating (D-Sharon); and state Rep. Gregory Sullivan (D-Norwood).

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Delight Youngsters

Earlier in the day, children gathered at the junior high school to enjoy appearances by two performers dressed as characters from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who handed out high fives and martial arts kicks. Five-year-old Jeremy Cantarow cheered for Raphael, citing the character’s size and catchphrases, while six-year-old twins Brian and Danny Henry praised the turtles’ love of pizza and weapons. Jeremy’s father, Walter Cantarow, defended the characters as positive role models, noting, “They’re anti-pollution and anti-drugs, but sometimes they do seem a little demeaning to women.”

Canton Fourth of July Road Race Results

In nearby Canton, the recreation commission’s annual five-mile Fourth of July road race drew 116 runners:

• Overall Winner: Scott Kilgallon, 31, of Melrose.
• Women’s Winner: Dolores Iannarone (75 Oak Road), placing 24th overall.
• Division Winners: Jay Mitchell, 12 (Boys under 13); Conor Lee, 16, of Canton (Men 14–17); Scott King, 25, of Canton (Men 18–29); Frank Donovan, 46, of Milton (Men 40–49); John Hurley, 53, of Stoughton (Men above 50); and Becky Feeley, 15 (Women 14–17).

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger