The Flag Day Parade is an annual
parade in
Dedham, Massachusetts that celebrates
Flag Day. The parade began in 1967 and quickly became one of Dedham's most beloved traditions.[1]
The parade has occasionally rejected controversial floats. In 1975, the Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously refused to allow an anti-busing float during the nearby
Boston desegregation busing crisis.[2] In 1971, after
Arthur "Mr. Wake Up America" Stivaletta claimed to be a co-sponsor of the parade, Recreation Director James E. Dunderdale publicly clarified that the Parks and Recreation Department was the only sponsor.[3]
After
Proposition 2½ led to the elimination of the Recreation Director position in 1980, Anthony "JuJu" Muccaccio took over the position for a year pro bono.[4] He was then hired full time and began running the parade, an activity he continued even after his retirement in 2010.[4]
In 2017, for the 50th anniversary, the parade was moved from the traditional June 14th to Saturday, June 17, to accommodate the fireworks at Memorial Park that were part of the celebration.[5][6] The parade was nearly cancelled following the
financial crisis of 2007–2008, but a fundraising campaign saved it.[7] During the
COVID-19 pandemic, the parade was canceled in 2020 and 2021. In its place, an unofficial "rolling rally" of cars was held in its place along the same route.[8]