Spend your 4th downtown

And now, the Wakefield Daily Item presents a laundry list of things to do two days from now.

WAKEFIELD - This year the West Side Social Club is proud to be announcing a few new changes to their daylong celebration on the Common. From the earliest morning event to the last big boom of the fireworks, the volunteer members of this club have worked very hard to try to ensure that there will be something for everyone in town to enjoy.
Gene Ellison the “Fishing Machine” has been an amazing sponsor for the Fishing Derby, bringing it to a new height. He has generously donated 30 Zebco fishing rod and reel sets with tackle wallets to be awarded to the children. Also the winners of the Fishing Derby will have a chance to ride on his Nitro Z-9 series Pro Bass Boat in the Wakefield Independence Day Parade. Plus his TV series “Camo Country TV” will be filming the day’s events to be shown on all over New England later this month.
Fred and Mary Hurley of Boats and Motors have also contributed generously to the Fishing Derby with free bait and hooks for the first 200 children who enter it, thus saving parents and kids the late night digging up of worms for bait.
Thanks to John Kennedy of Honeydew Donuts also Dan Ruiz and Jean Boudreau at McDonald's the WSSC will have coffee, donuts, apple dippers, juice and water for sale for breakfast at a very minimal price. These will be offered for sale at both the Fishing Derby Registration Tent and the Children's Parades Registration Tent.
For the Children's Pet Show, Gina Swansburg owner of Gone to the Dogs, a really beautiful local pet store will have a table by the Children's Parades Registration Tent. She has generously donated pet treats and will have water bowls for the animals to drink from, plus she will have a free raffle at her table for a basket of special treats. The Pet Show itself is being moved to the left of the registration tent on the Upper Common. “We are not parading the pets because some of them are not so easy to parade. Remember pets of all kinds are welcome, even geckos, to answer the question that was asked by one small boy at the Festival by the Lake,” said a spokesperson.
The Children's Parade Route will be changed this year to what organizers hope will make a more enjoyable event for all. After registering your child for his or her event, one parent will bring the child and their entry to the street in front of the tent to line up. The children will parade in the walkway within the Upper Common, much like the Seniors do for their Grand March. Parents, siblings, grandparents and friends will then have the opportunity to sit or stand along the route for a better view of all the children and their creations. “Don't forget to bring your camera! However if you forget it, we have heard that the WCAT will also be filming these events for future viewing on their local channel,” noted the spokesperson.
At noon up at the head of the Lake, the Canoe Races begin. This year the WSSC has added Kayak Races. “So if you have a kayak or a canoe please go up there at 11 a.m. to register and enter these very exciting races,” the spokesperson asked.
When all the morning events are done there will be have a concert for the teenagers on the Common. Everyone in town is invited to come and enjoy these fine local singers and bands. The WSSC Food Tent will be opened so you can enjoy a fine BBQ meal of sausages, burgers, hotdogs, french fries, cold drinks, cotton candy, fried dough and popcorn while watching a great concert. Also Famous Annie will be selling her delicious Slush and Lemonade.
After you have viewed the wonderful Wakefield Independence Day Parade, you can return to the Common to hear another great concert by “Replay” from 7 to 10:30 p.m.