Description

All are welcome to help celebrate and commemorate our World War II veterans on June 8 in Ipswich, MA. It will be a day full of festivities beginning at 11 AM and continuing until 6 PM. 

Organized by the veterans groups of Ipswich, along with the Town of Ipswich, and local police and fire departments, the day will feature a block party, parade, WWII presentations, live music, food, shopping, and more. The Block Party will have a variety of food vendors (see below), a beer garden hosted by Tru North Ale Brewing Company, over a dozen Ipswich & North Shore craft vendors, face painting & others.

Schedule of Events
 

TIME	DESCRIPTION
11 AM – 6 PM	Block Party on Market Street & Union Street Featuring Food Trucks/Vendors, Local Restaurants, Retail & Craft Vendors, Sidewalk Cafes, Beer Garden, and more
11 AM	“Proximity Fuze” Presentation at EBSCO Hall featuring photographs and details about Ipswich's contribution to the war effort during WWII
11 AM – 12:30 PM	Live Music – EBSCO Riverwalk Stage: The Marsh Hoppers
1 PM – 3 PM	Parade - see below for details
3 PM	“Proximity Fuze” Presentation at EBSCO Hall featuring photographs and details about Ipswich's contribution to the war effort during WWII
3 PM – 5 PM	Live Music – EBSCO Riverwalk Stage: Country Star Annie Brobst (http://www.anniebrobstmusic.com/) 2023 New England Music Awards Female Performer of the Year Winner

Block Party Food Vendors

• From Scratch Cookies
• Appleton Farms
• Shari’s Vegan Sweets
• Crepe du Jour
• Birra Gordita Tacos
• Indulgent India [food truck]
• Lobster Roller  [food truck]
• True North Ales Beer & Wine Garden at EBSCO on Union Street
• And our local restaurants and pubs

Parade Details & Participants

Reviewing Stand located on Market Square with:

• Parade Grand Marshall: Brigadier General Lisa Ahaesy, Assistant Adjutant General MA Air National Guard
• Senator Bruce Tarr
• Kendall Buhl, Parade Announcer
• Marion Dennehy, New England Regional President, Gold Star Wives of America
• Pam Hart, Gold Star Wives of America
• Dean Clark, Singing Massachusetts State Trooper [National Anthem]
• Larry Jordan, Commander VFW Post 1093 [Marine Vietnam Combat Veteran]

List of Marching Bands

• Massachusetts State Police Pipes and Drums with MSP Honor Guard
• Boston Fireman’s Marching Band
• Greater Boston Firemen’s Pipes and Drums
• Crusaders Senior Drum and Bugle Corps
• North Shore Pipe Band
• Dirty Water Brass Band
• Salem High School Marching Band, Salem, MA
• ROMA Marching Band
• North Shore Stompers Marching Band

• 20-foot-long Replica of USS Thresher Submarine
• Town of Ipswich Float: Memorial for 36 Ipswich Service Men Lost during WW II
• AMVETS Post 201 Float:  Ipswich WW II “Top Secret Project” The Proximity Fuze
• Ipswich Fish and Game Float
• Canine Companions Service Dog Float & Service Dogs in Training
• Impersonator:  Rod Stewart Float

List of additional participants

• WW II Veterans Riding in Convertible Cars
• WW II Sherman Tank
• WW II Armored Personnel Carrier
• Military Jeeps and Trucks
• WW II Era Motor Vehicles
• US Coast Guard and US Coast Guard Auxiliary Marching Unit
• US Coast Guard Rescue Boat on trailer
• WW II Small Landing Craft on Trailer
• MASONS Marching Group
• Ipswich / Rowley Rotary Club
• Ipswich / Essex Dance Troupe
• New England Patriots End Zone Militia
• “Jazz” ceremonial riderless horse lead by US Marine.  Tribute to the deceased.
• Numerous Custom Motor Vehicles
• American Legion Motorcycle Riders
• Fire Trucks
• Law Enforcement Vehicles

List of Vendors

• Sunsquared Stained Glass
• SUS Made (sustainably made products like backpacks/water bottles/etc.)
• In the Meadow Farm (goods made on an alpaca farm)
• Your Nature’s Elixir (natural skincare products)
• I’m the Balm (lip balms and glosses)
• Emer McCort Animal Art
• Masshole Biscuit Co (cog treats from Gloucester made from all human-grade food)
• From Skratch Sugar Cookies 
• Appleton Farms Bakery (breads and baked goods from the farm)
• Freyja Botanicals (natural skincare products)
• Hippie Bean Co. (tie-dyed apparel)
• Shari’s Vegan Sweets 
• Crepe du Jour (made-to-order crepes)
• Birra Gordito Tacos (taco stand)
• Indulgent India (food truck)
• The Lobster Roller (food truck)
• True North (beer tent)
• Lucia’s Terra (handmade pottery from Ipswich)
• A Beautiful Garden (flower pot accessories)
• Boat Day Apparel (clothing celebrating boat life)
• Shirley Berry Face Painting

Other Businesses & Organizations

• Ipswich Republican Town Committee
• Ipswich Democratic Town Committee
• Mark Tashjian (candidate for State Representative in the 2nd Essex district)
• Ipswich YMCA
• Canine Companions
• Betsy Frost
• Luxa Jewelry 
• Windhill Realty 
• Mission 22 (nationwide nonprofit to raise awareness of veteran suicide)
• Ipswich Fish and Game
• A and A Services
• Brookline Bank

Parade Route and Road Closures - DOWNLOAD PDF

(1,6 Miles) From Bialek Park on Linebrook Road into Lords Square to Central Street to Market Square over Choate Bridge to South Main Street ending at South Main & County Road.


 

Organized by

VFW Post 1093, American Legion Post 80, AMVETS Post 201, and Polish League of American Veterans

Sponsored by

Institution for Savings, EBSCO, BankGloucester, Aubuchon Hardware, Bentley Warren Turcking Inc., Brookline Bank, and True North Ale Company.