Since 1952 the Chatham Borough Fourth of July celebration has been sponsored by the Chatham Borough Fire Department. The event gives the community the American “hometown” feeling and has come to symbolize what life is like in small town USA. Borough residents line up chairs along the route days ahead of time for this annual parade.
A Perfect Day for a Parade!
Mother Nature truly smiled on us this year! The weather was absolutely ideal for our classic Model As and their proud owners – warm sunshine without a hint of sticky humidity. In fact, some of us even needed a light jacket when the morning began
Pre-Parade Perks
Matt and Deb Petitjean hosted breakfast with coffee, donuts and fresh fruit before the parade started. With a total of 16 cars we enjoyed catching up and reconnecting good friends. We were thrilled to have the newly refreshed Model A Club Fire Truck in attendance. It got a lot of attention.
Cruising Down Main Street!
By 10am, we headed over to the starting point just less than a mile away. After the fireworks signaled the start, we slowly began our mile-long journey down Main Street, greeted by a sea of cheering faces, sometimes four or five rows deep!. There were lots of waves, smiles, and honking horns along the way. It was really amazing to see a long stretch of Model As on Main Street.
A Backyard Bash to Remember!
We completed the 1 mile stretch and turned into the Chatham Middle School parking lot where David and Nancy Andreasen took the lead and headed to their house just a short drive away. Their shady trees provided the perfect, cool oasis after the excitement of the parade. We feasted on delicious food, shared stories, and simply enjoyed each other’s company in a truly relaxed setting. It was the perfect end to a perfect morning!
Missed out on the fun this year? Don’t let it happen again! The Chatham Fourth of July parade and our post-parade gathering are truly special events. Not only is it a blast for everyone involved, but the crowds absolutely adore seeing our cars roll by. Mark your calendars for next year – we’d love to see you there and share in this incredible tradition!
