Once again the weather was unseasonably warm far the 29th Annual Roslindale Day Parade. With a theme of "Roslindale Honors Adoptive Families," the parade kicked off promptly at 1:00 p.m. from Adams Park and was led by apparatus from the Boston Fire Department, including their Safety House. Next came the Emergency Medical Services ("EMS") ambulances, followed by the Boston Police Department's Motorcycles and Mounted Unit and then, the Mounted Unit from the Boston Park Rangers. Flags waived as the Honor Guards from the Boston Police Department, Fire Department, and EMS, along with the State Police passed by.

The Mayor and Mrs. Tom Menino walked along with Capt. William Parlon of Area E-5, the "Officer of the Day." The first floats appeared carrying this year's Grand Marshal, May Pieroway, and honoring Roslindale's Adoptive Families. The latter float was sponsored by Roche Bros. Supermarkets, Newly re-elected Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral and the Sheriff's Department came along, giving out sheriff badges to the delight of all the youngsters along the parade route.

On a float sponsored by the Brookline Bank came Sergeant Dan Clark of the Mass. State Police, who sang patriotic songs throughout the route. The honorary "Mayor of Roslindale," William Quartarone, led the Bay State Antique Auto Club and the group of politicians that followed. The Canton Car Club also had numerous entries of classic cars motoring.

Next came the local politicians followed by participants whom they had sponsored, including Senator Marian Walsh with the Boston Firemen's Band, City Councilor Rob Consalvo with the Sacred Heart Color Guard, and State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez with the Boston City Band. Also marching was Governor's Councilor Kelly Timilty and the Charles Sumner Elementary School, rounding out the first division.

The next division started with the Honor Guard of the United States Marine Corps, the Hanscom Air Force Base Guard, and the U.S. Coast Guard. ROTC sent representatives from Hyde Park High School, English High School, John D. O'Bryant High School, West Roxbury High School and Charlestown High School. City Council President Michael Flaherty led the 103rd Electricians' Pipe and Drums, and was followed by City Councilor John Tobin.

The American Gold Star Mothers rode in vehicles courtesy of Howard Chevrolet, and were followed by the Disabled American Veterans, Korean War Veterans, Irving Adams American Legion Post #36, William Carter American Legion Post #16, American Legion Post #76, William Doyle V.F.W. Post #2831, Amvets District #6 Float, and the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans. City Councilor Steve Murphy led the Mass Maritime Academy Band that he had sponsored.

Sponsored by Trethewey Brothers, the New Liberty Jazz Band came by playing Dixieland numbers. The Cooperative Bank sponsored the Weymouth High School Band and Dunkin' Donuts sponsored the Jason Roberts Challenger League's float. Rounding out this group was the Roslindale Sons of Italy lodge's float, ABCD South Side Head Start, Massachusetts Citizens for Life, and City Councilor-at-Large Maura Hennigan who was shaking hands with the crowd and was accompanied by her father.

The Second Division was led by students from the Dennis Haley Elementary School, John Philbrick Elementary School and the Ohrengerger Community Center. Local community and business organizations marching included Rogerson Communities, Holy Name Cub Scouts Pack #3, Healthy Roslindale Coalition with its Rossie Reps, the Phineas Bates School, the Boston School of Modern Languages, Parkway Girl Scouts, One Step Beyond, Calisi Landscape Company, Akiki Family Float, Temple Hillel B'Nai Torah, Bethany First United Methodist Church, Roslindale Congregational Church, Sacred Heart Home and School Association, Russian Orthodox Church of the Epiphany, Southwest Boston Community Development Corp, REMAX Affiliates, and Ethos. Providing the music for this division were the Little German Band, the Worcester Brass Band, and Cran Tara Pipe Band, sponsored by Sebastian's Barber Shop, Hyde Park Savings Bank, and Century 21/Treon Realty, respectively. The students of Tanya's Dance and Fitness Center performed along the way, as did dancers from Estrellas Tropicals, sponsored by The Village Market.

The final division was led by the Wendy's International Float. Immediately following it was a large group of students and teachers from Dance Academy in Hyde Park. The Parkway Running Club, Broderick Gymnastic Academy, and Contours Express came before the "Support Your Local Merchants" float, showing all parade-goers those local businesses that made the parade possible with their generous donations.

A group of actors from the Riverside Theatre Works came costumed for their next presentation, "Nunsense," with main character, Sr. Mary Amnesia, stopping to talk with many along the way. Sponsored by Peoples Federal Savings Bank, the Worcester Men of Song came by, singing up a storm. The Italian American Band was sponsored by Bob Joyce, candidate for the State Senate, and was followed by the dance group Integracion Cultural Latina.

The last entry was from the MBTA. Many of us remember, in our youth, taking to the old Forest Hills station what is now listed as an "Antique Bus." Workers from the Boston Public Works Department followed the parade up Belgrade Ave. and cleaned along the way.

Meanwhile over at Fallon Field, the festivities continued. Sponsors of the field day included City Year, Centre Cuts Salon and Day Spa, The Cooperative Bank, Roche Bros. Supermarkets, The Sign Post, and Rogerson Communities.

There was plenty of bottled water and ice cream, donated by Roche Bros. Supermarket and given out by Longfellow Area Neighborhood Association members. Volunteers from City Year did face painting on children who stopped by their tables. The Boston Fire Department had its Fire Safety House set up, and many children received fire hats after going through this educational structure.

To highlight the entertainment that had participated in the parade, the City of Boston brought one of its portable stages, with sound system set up. Students from One Step Beyond came forward and gave an impressive martial arts presentation. Dancers from both Tanya's Dance and Fitness Center and Dance Academy performed several numbers each. The afternoon was topped off with a performance in front of the stage by the colorfully costumed Estrellas Tropicales.

Once again the Roslindale Day Parade showcased all that Roslindale has to offer. Be sure to set aside the first Sunday in October next year for the 30th Annual Roslindale Day Parade.