Winthrop Set for A Glorious Fourth Celebration

By Cheyanne Fullen

It’s all about tradition and good old family fun when it comes to the Horribles Parade in Winthrop.

“A Winthrop tradition for more than  130 years, the Horribles Parade is much more resident-based and non-political than the larger parades of Boston,” said Peter Gobiel, chairman of the parade. With 20 years of experience, Gobiel and his team are in full swing preparing for the event to take place on the morning of July Fourth.

Expecting about 700 people and 10 floats, the group is set to gather at the Public Landing between 7:30-8 a.m. Monday morning, July 4 and take off on the mile long march promptly at 9 a.m.

 Growing up around the event his entire life, Gobiel was determined to see the parade continue when the committee almost broke up a few years back. As a result, he took over the event with a focus on upholding a tradition that had always been so important to his family.

Upon arrival, the contestants will be broken up into categories in which they will be judged throughout their walk. From most patriotic, most horrible, most original, most beautiful, most hilarious, and best float, there is definitely a category for everyone to fall into.

After the parade, the prizes for each category will be awarded, followed by a series of relay races and pie-eating contests. A small donation of one dollar in exchange for a special goody bag for the children is also offered. All are welcomed to enjoy this day of memories and laughs as one of the biggest events in Winthrop’s history lives on for another year.

This year the town’s fireworks will be on Sunday, July 3 at dusk. Police remind people that there is no public drinking, no alcohol on the beach. No open containers. No fires on the beach. No pig roasting on the beach. It is illegal to possess fireworks, those found with them will have them confiscated. Access to the Point Shirley area will cut-off between 6-7 p.m. on JULY 3. Chief Terence Delehanty reminds people to follow the instructions of law enforcement. The chief also reminds those under the age of 21 that if you are caught with alcohol part of the punishment will loss of your driver’s license for a year.