The Fourth of July Celebration Committee is gearing up for tomorrow's events, but organizers still need volunteers and money.
Volunteers are needed to help set up and break down the parade reviewing stand and canopies on the town common as well as to take registrations for the annual 5K road race.
"It's not skilled labor - it's not like we're looking for carpenters," organizer and Assistant Town Manager Bernie Cooper said yesterday. "But because of the long weekend, we're losing some people and could use the extra help."
Anyone interested in helping out can contact Town Hall.
Once again this year, the committee is also asking residents and businesses for help as skyrocketing gas prices make it tougher to plan the annual parade, which typically has vehicles, re-enactors and bands that travel from all over New England and Canada.
The Fourth of July Celebration Committee each year puts together the events which include a parade, road race, children's costume parade and concert. The town annually gives the committee $20,000 to help pay for the event, but the committee must raise the extra $25,000 to $30,000 that is needed.
Cooper said yesterday the financial picture is still a blurry one. The committee is putting fliers in residents' electric light bills, but he said the bills only went out last week, so he has no idea how much money the effort will bring in.
"It's one of the challenges of putting on a parade is that it's a fluid situation," said Cooper. "People see the parade and figure they must be all set (with money), but that's not necessarily the case."
Cooper said local businesses such as Roche Bros., the International House of Pancakes, Lustra Cleaners and Norwood Bank have again agreed to help, but more money is needed.
Street closing
Police Chief Bartley King said it is important residents remember that Washington Street will be shut down from Mylod Street to Railroad Avenue from roughly 4 to 8:30 p.m.
"If people plan accordingly, it shouldn't be too much of a disruption to travel plans," said King.
The celebration will be largely the same as it has been over the past few years, kicking off again with the annual Children's Bicycle, Tricycle, Doll Carriage and Historic Character Parade that attracts hundreds of kids.
It will start at 1 p.m. and go from the First Congregational Church at Walpole and Winter streets, down Washington Street to the Town Common where awards will be handed out and refreshments served. The fee is $1 per child.
Following the children's parade, residents can get take a free tour of the 50-bell carillon that overlooks the common from its perch in the tower of Town Hall.
There will also be a concert on the common, the Firecracker 5K Road Race at 5 p.m., followed by the Eastern Massachusetts Fire Truck Procession which will also include antique cars and World War II vehicles.
Cooper said the military vehicles are being moved in front of the main parade this year to keep the procession moving.
"They are 1940s-era vehicles and if they stop they can stall out," said Cooper.
At 5:45 p.m., the parade proper kicks off with marching bands, local dignitaries, entertainment acts and floats.
The parade route runs down Washington Street from the Coakley Middle School to the Town Common. A quiet zone will again be established in front of Caritas Norwood Hospital.
Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or bfalla@cnc.com.
