Town celebrates Fourth of July

By Matthew Bernat
Turley Publications Staff Writer

STURBRIDGE - On the common, the distinctive sound of Harley Davidson motorcycles could be heard first. After a moment, the spectators who lined the road were greeted with the sight of about 20 motorcyclists as they stopped at the crossroads in front of Town Hall. They waited briefly for the impressive parade behind them to catch up.
When it did the motorcyclists – followed by costumed marchers, clowns, local merchants, politicians, classic cars, Scouts, fire trucks and so much more – rolled to the common where it seemed the whole town waited to celebrate the first ever Feast & Fire on Saturday, July 3.
While the daylong event featured games, children’s activities, performances, food, live music, a bonfire and more. It also served as an Independence Day celebration and showcase for local non-profit organizations. The Residential Energy Assistance for Seniors Foundation (REAS), Merchants of Sturbridge (MOS) and Tantasqua Music Association benefited, as did a number of other non-profits who were given promotional space.
Preceding everything was the parade however. Overheard on the lawn near the library one spectator commented, “This is the biggest parade Sturbridge has had in a long time.”
Co-sponsored by REAS, MOS, the Sturbridge Recreation Committee and the Sturbridge Tourist Association, Feast & Fire came about through the efforts of many dedicated volunteers, said one of the organizers and MOS member Karin Rokicki.
The fact so many non-profits benefited from the event helped to rally community and volunteer support for it, she said.
Rokicki also credited Thomas Creamer as one of the driving forces behind the day’s success. “He would be the last one to take the credit for this, but it would not have happened without him,” she said. And while the event offered a chance for the town to come together it also celebrated our nation’s founding.
After the parade, many gathered around the town common gazebo to hear the singing of the National Anthem and a few words from the parade’s grand marshals, who used to occasion to reflect on Independence Day.
Among them was Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray who called the event “incredible” and extended his congratulations. He also recalled two events. The first happened the day before and saw 173 members of the Massachusetts National Guard arrive home after a year of duty in Iraq. The second, reminded us that “freedom isn’t free” he said, noting the body of a solider was being laid to rest that same day in Fall River after having made the ultimate sacrifice.
Sen. Stephen Brewer echoed Murray’s sentiments and invoked the memory of Sturbridge’s own 1st Lt. Joshua Loren Booth. Twenty-three at the time, Booth was killed by sniper fire while on tour in Iraq in 2007. Brewer commended Booth and all the other men and women who died defending our country.
Brewer also recounted an experience he had the day before, when he attended the homecoming ceremony for the National Guard members held in Ware. He said the soldiers were at attention when one young girl began to shout out “daddy” upon seeing her father in the crowd. The father remained at attention, Brewer said, but couldn’t hold back a tear after hearing his daughter’s voice after so long.
Brewer also said the founding father’s had dedicated their “sacred honor” to signing the Declaration of Independence. He reminded those present they were the stewards of that honor. “What a country, what a country, what a country. God bless the United States of America,” he said.