Tag: Horribles Parade

Touch a Truck Fundraising Event Horribles Parade Fundraising Event Sept 28th!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

The Fishtown Horribles Parade Committee would like to announce that on Sept, 28, 2013 from 9 am to 2 pm (rain date Saturday October 12th), at the O’Maley Middle School in Gloucester Ma, we will be hosting our Touch a Truck Fundraising Event. This family oriented event will be fun for all and include many vehicles from the communities of Gloucester, Rockport and Essex. The entrance cost will be $5 per person and children 3 and under are free. There will be door prizes and food will also be sold. The money raised from this event will go to support next July 3rd parade here in Gloucester. A sample of some types of trucks to expect are Fire Trucks, Police vehicles, dump trucks, backhoes, Coast Guard Boat, tractors, and many others. It should be a great opportunity for everyone, especially the children, to enjoy the day by climbing and taking lots of photos with their favorite truck. Please come out and support the Fishtown Horribles Parade. We hope to see you all on Sept 28th at O’Maley Middle School from 9 am to 2 pm (rain date: Saturday October 12th, 9 am to 2 pm).

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Horribles Parade – Staging Area

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

 

Horribles Parade – Spectators Faces

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

Find yourself in the Slideshow below:

4th of July Reflections

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

Submitted by Fred Bodin:

I try to keep two things in mind about the 4th of July: It’s a celebration of family, friends, and cookouts; concerts, parades and fireworks. And it’s also a recognition of those who have served and sacrificed to achieve our independence, and keep it since 1776.

Ruth Pino, a local realtor, sends out occasional motivational and timely quotes. Here are two from today: “You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” ~Erma Bombeck. And this one: “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” ~Elmer Davis

Horribles Parade 1890

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

Submitted by Fred Bodin

Horribles Old

The Riverdale Horribles Parade originated in the agricultural Riverdale section of Gloucester in the late 1800’s. Riverdale farmers would bring their animals to march along with children dressed in strange costumes. The parade evolved over the past century to one of floats, fire engines, marching bands, and dignitaries waving from open convertibles. This photo was made from an 8×10 inch glass negative. It was probably taken about 1890, and the location is Washington Street and Cherry Reynard Street in Riverdale. The drum says “Riverdale” on top, and the second man from the left appears to be holding a horn instrument. The parade went from Riverdale Mills (Captain Hook’s and Richdale’s today) to the Fire Station on Stanwood Street. It now starts at Gloucester High School, loops thru Downtown, and ends back at the high school. It’s wildly popular, with scores of floats and thousands of cheering spectators along the route. I know, I marched the Horribles with the GMG crew last year. See http://www.fishtownhorribles.org/history.html for more information.

For me, the clouds were among the highlights at the Horribles Parade

Posted on by Matthew Green
Clouds before the parade

The Man at the Wheel seemed impressed with the clouds too.
Rainbows in (front of) the clouds

– Matthew Green

Happy Horribles to My GMG Friends and Family!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Fun At The Horrbles Parade Is Increased Multiple Times Over By Being In It!

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

We’re coming back next year strong. Count on it!

Kudos to all of the people who put in the time to build floats and walk in the Parade.
Special nod to The folks at Ryan and Wood and Camp Spindrift who were far and away the Best In Class IMO.

 

Quick answers to questions we’ve been getting about tonight’s parade, fireworks, concert & laser light show

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Over the past couple of days, Vickie and I have answered a number of questions from people calling about tonight’s festivities.  I figure that for everyone who calls there are several others who have the same question but don’t call, so here are some answers:

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GO TO THE CONCERT?
NOTHING.  It’s Free.

CAN WE PARK AT THE HIGH SCHOOL?
NO.  At least not according to this article in the Gloucester Daily Times.  “Because construction crews have blocked off part of the school’s parking lot due to Newell Stadium construction …”

WHAT TIME IS THE CONCERT, PARADE, FIREWORKS, LASER LIGHT SHOW — AND WHO’S PERFORMING?
5:00 Roots 66 Kicks off the Music
6:00 Horribles Parade
7:00 Cape Ann Big Band & Runaround
9:30 Fireworks
10:00 Laser Light Show
Then dance and party under the stars and lasers ’till 11pm.  Horribles Parade Winners will be announced from the Concert Stage at some time after the fireworks.  All times (except fireworks) are approximate and may change based on the parade.  (See more details here.)

WHAT IS THE PARADE ROUTE?
Here’s an excerpt from today’s Glocuester Daily Times:
“beginning at Gloucester High School. Parade runs from GHS down Centennial Avenue, up Western Avenue to Tally’s Corner, then down Rogers Street before turning left on Manuel Lewis Street. Parade then runs up Main Street to Pleasant, up Pleasant to Prospect, and then turns left on Prospect, right onto Railroad Avenue, right onto Washington Street, and left on Centennial back to GHS.”
See the full Glocuester Daily Times article, here.

WILL THERE BE FOOD?
YES.  Vendors will be on the Boulevard and Gloucester boasts some of the best restaurants north of Boston.  See a list of Gloucester restaurants here.

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO SEE THE FIREWORKS?
That depends on how close you like to be.  For an intense fireworks-emersion experience, my favorite spot is the path that runs along the harbor at Stage Fort Park.  If you’re on the Boulevard facing west, just walk toward Stage Fort Park (see map) on the sidewalk that is as close to the water as possible and stay close to the water.  You’ll end up on a fairly dark path right under where the fireworks are shot off.  It’s loud, brilliant and awesome!

Now, if you want a more communal experience, the best place is on the Boulevard near the concert stage (see map here).  The view is perfect and you get to oohh and aahhh and cheer with lots of other fireworks fans.  Plus you’ll be in a perfect spot to catch the laser light show that immediately follows the fireworks.

Let’s have some fun tonight!

FREE Boulevard Concert JULY 3 featuring Cape Ann Big Band, Runaround Sound

Posted on by Vickie & Peter
Runaround w/ Laser Light Show on the Boulevard

Once again, the Gloucester Fund and gimmesound.com present a FREE CONCERT ON GLOUCESTER HARBOR featuring Cape Ann Big Band and Gloucester’s #1 Party band Runaround Sound, plus we have some surprise featured vocalists TBA.

Ringo Tarr, Gloucester’s hardest working behind-the-scenes organizer, has done it again. He’s bringing his stage to the Boulevard for a rousing celebration of our independence through music, parade, fireworks and one of the most powerful laser light shows in New England– Best of all, it’s all FREE thanks to Ringo’s hard work and the musicians’ generous spirit.

Here’s the schedule:
5:00 Music Begins (band TBA)
6:00 Music breaks for Horribles Parade
7:00 Cape Ann Big Band & Runaround after parade
9:30 Fireworks over Gloucester Harbor
10:00 Spectacular LASER LIGHT SHOW by RK Lighting Design
Then dance with Runaround under the stars & the lasers.

There’s nothing like dancing on the Boulevard to the Runaround Sound with RK’s lasers overhead. DON’T MISS IT!  Here’s a video of Runaround at Capt. Carlos.

You can get into the party spirit with Runaround tonight at 9 at Minglewood Tavern.  See Cape Ann’s complete weekend live music schedule here.

Fishtown Horribles Parade Notice

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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The Fishtown Horribles Parade Committee is asking the community of Gloucester for assistance in sprucing up our newly established website. We are in search of photos of past parades to be included on our website that will show the history of the parade over the years. If you have any photos that you wish to share with us, please feel free to send them to any member of the Committee or to our general mailbox, fishtownhp@gmail.com. Photos can be of the parade itself or of your family/friends enjoying the parade. We will not be posting pictures of questionable nature. Please dig out your photo albums and send us a photo or two. Please include your mailing address so we can return the photos once they are scanned. Thank you in advance in our quest to make our site a community showcase. Please enjoy our new website: fishtownhorribles.org.

Send photos to: Fishtown Horribles Parade

PO Box 924

Gloucester, MA 01930

Horribles Parade in retrospect

Posted on by Matthew Green

“Retrospect” is a euphemistic way to say that I’m a bit late in getting these photos ready to post. But you didn’t really want to get bombarded with all the photos of the parade from all the contributors at once, did you?

As a newcomer who moved here less than a year ago, the whole Fiesta and 4th of July week experience has been a lot of fun! The Horribles parade was bigger than I expected, and well worth watching.

So, here are a few of my shots of the parade. The full set can be seen as a slideshow or one by one on my photostream on Flickr.

See these bigger, and lots more, here:

-Fr. Matthew Green

Horrible Horribles!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

You never know what kind of “horrible” you may encounter at the Horribles Parade!

Thank You to Our Sponsors, Our Float Builders, Our Walkers, Our Music and The Parade Organizers- GMG- Winner Most Creative Float

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 

Sista Felicia writes up the thank yous-

Barry, best husband and kindest man in the whole world, he has supported my crazy creative projects for many years and always does it with a smile, never complains , never looks for thanks or credit, very much likes to stay under the raider………if it were not for him this year this float would have never happened…I really mean that…. he worked hard hauling lumber in and out of his truck, for days, splitting used pallets of wood up, removing bolts and nails with the sawzall for hours cutting measuring nailing painting & the list goes on and on…. absolutely crazy what he did for us this year to make this happened… their was no possibly way we could have afforded to buy all that wood & would have never been able to pull my giant plan for this huge pot off with out MY BARRY ….

Ed……..The man that does  what ever is asked of him & always with a smile, for his assistance with the construction and guidance too many things to list  and for putting up with me…

Craig…..helped with construction & painted the logo…Outstanding job! Wow he has talent….& just a really great guy

Deanna Ouderkerken… ..as always the best neighbor ever….painting, building,sewing crafting assembling driving to NH to get the confetti launchers and being our lead dancing Hommie! Best Hommie 2nd year in a row

Joe Santisi……… helped painting wood and splitting up pallets along with removing nails

Ma……..cutting letters,crafting,sorting candy, shopping for supplies with me ,packing up the tailgate supplies ,ironed for hours…was my second set of hands

BJ……… helped with construction, removing bolts splitting pallets,shopping for candy, hauling supplies in and out of the house for days, filled all water supplies loaded car withs with tools supplies, candy, food, squirt gun patrol, in charge of confetti launching

Amanda……… crafted shopped for supplies, helped with construction, cleaned Uncle Joes Truck for hours, prepared last minute food for tailgate sorted and organized candy with grandma, was my assistant with what ever I needed at the moment( Basically my kids need a break from hearing me yell their name…knowing another task i needed help with

Frank Ciolino……. picking up the trailer with Ed, packed all the coolers with drinks & ice, loaded all the tailgate food into his truck and helped the guys with the last minute construction, did pretty much what ever was need to help us leave the house, followed the float to make sure it made it through the streets ok ( also thank you to Joes Wife for stopping by to help load the cars and coolers)

Steve Noble……. from Noble Electricians , rewired giant lobster eyes

Joey Marcantonio………. Squirt gun patrol, to keep the pretty girls along the Rt cool, fog machine assistant, and confetti launcher

Caylee DeSilver…….. helping load the trucks with candy and supplies,costumes, walked the parade handing out candy, helped me with last minute cooking

Donna Ardizzoni painting………helping with assembly and crazy Dancing Homie!

Ron Gilson…….painting the back side of the giant lobster, and helped at my house for 2 days assisting anyone who needed something…really sweet man

Paul Frontiero…….T-Shirt Printing

Kim Smith…… getting last minute things at the grocery store for me… helping Ma cut out last minute letters, helping pack up the food for the tailgate party

Jeremy Frost …….Barrys" Wing Man" last minute construction at the high school, he was the man in charge of "everyone stuff in the truck".. From cameras, to lipstick to keys, extra shoes, pocketbook’s, and He was my sticker man, My Candy Man, and my confetti launcher man, helped get the float back to the house,and unload the aftermath of the float, parade and tailgate party in my truck all back into my house

Rick Ardizzoni….. Donna husband helping with last minute assembly at the high school

Vicki……. for sound, and last minute decorating on float at the high school

Marlie Melvin……. candy girl, helped with last minute decorating

Micayla Ciolino…… help load supplies and food onto trucks, packed coolers with drinks, walked in parade on candy partol

Niko……. Frank Ciolino nephew … great kid so helpful …super sweet assisting at high school to do what ever was need to finish the float and pack up the taigate stuff, also was on candy duty dressed up in a lobster costume!

Kyle Frost….. squirt gun patrol, to keep the crowd cool ! fog machine assisant, confetti launcher

Tanya Frost……. Keeping me Hydrated along the parade Rt.. and completed last minute decorating, helped set up and break down the food for the tailgate party, was my spotter for kids safty along the parade RT

Talor Frost …..Candy girl

Jolie Frontiero…… The dancing Candy girl

Joanne Frontiero……. spotter for kids safety along the parade Rt..

Eloise  Mad Pie & The Mrs……… Candy girls

****Huge THANK YOU….to our Sponsors for their very generous donations

Please patronize these GMG Approved Community Minded Businesses

gimmesound_final

gimmesound.com — local live music listings.  Find every live music show in Gloucester and Cape Ann — listen to music on-line & download — all for free.

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The Lone Gull is a family owned coffeehouse located on Main Street in historic downtown Gloucester, Massachusetts. Our ideal location makes us a great place to stop for a drink or a bite to eat, to chat with friends, or to have a business meeting. We offer free wi-fi to our customers, extremely comfortable couches and chairs, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

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Stones Pub

Stones is a small comfortable neighborhood pub in Gloucester, MA, America’s oldest seaport! We offer homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts all made on premises before your eyes in the open kitchen. The delicious smells welcome when you come in the door to a warm greeting.

Ed Collard House Doctors Handyman Services

Passports Restaurant

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Noble Electricians

978-283-0750

Steve Noble who does so much community work donating his time toward many great causes.

Robert Heidt

The new executive director of the Chamber of Commerce says that Good Morning Gloucester does so much for the community that he wanted to personally be a sponsor of the 2012 GMG horribles parade float

Circle Consulting

Donna Ardizzoni and Rick Moore

With Circle Consulting, small and mid-size companies can cost-effectively leverage world-class technology experience. We keep up with the latest developments in the rapidly changing technology sector, so you can focus on your core business. Let us do what we do best so that you can do what you do best.

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Gloucester Bytes

Tim Blakeley From Gloucester Bytes the man who made the Gloucester Webcam project possible!

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Greg Harris Brierwood Landscaping (978) 281-7564

for letting us use his trailer

Behind the Scenes Look at What it Takes to Create the “Most Creative” Horribles Float

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

GMG was awarded the Horribles Parade “Most Creative” float. Sister Felicia’s design brilliantly combined her passion for cooking, her brother Joey’s GMG community-inspired blog, and the family’s lobster business.

The nine foot tall black enamelwear lobster pot was set upon a cooktop, replete with pot handles and temperature dials. Giant lobsters and lots of baby lobsters were seen in and around the pot and dry ice was used to simulate a steaming lobster pot. Teenage boys were also seen in the pot, supplied with all the Super Soaker ammo needed to squirt the entire parade route of attendees.

Joey’s Captain Joe and Sons truck pulled the float, and it housed the sound system, provided by Gimme Sound, featuring deejays Vickie Van Ness and ZipLine Kid.

What, or who, does it take to create the “Most Creative” Horribles Float? Here’s a behind the scenes look ~

Super-Star Sister Felicia ~ Creative, Talented, Passionate, Devoted to Her Family and Her Community, Unbelievably Amazing Organizer, and Divine Cook are just some of the attributes that best describe Sister Felicia.

Barry Mohan, Sister Felicia’s right-hand man ~ Always there to help in every way, and then some!

Neighbor Deanna and Mammaw working on a Homie costume ~ Always there to lend a hand, too. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…  -and, to add to the fun, Mammaw is especially gifted at telling a good joke.

Ed Collard of House Doctor’s Fame and Craig Kimberly–Ed is Sister Felcia’s “other” right-hand man, especially at float-building time of year.

Craig Kimberly, Videographer-Extraordinaire-Turned-Painter-for-the Event. Craig’s first painting, ever, done entirely free hand!

Amanda and B.J. ~  Always-There-to-Help-Mom, along with Amanda and B.J.’s Friends

The Neighborhood Gang

Testing out the lobster; almost ready to depart for the high school.

Lots of Young Friends and Nieces Eloise and Madeline  ~  for the all important job of distributing candy along the parade route.

Friends of the Blog Ron, David, and Manny

Last Minute Finishing Touches

Not Only Did Felicia Design and Organize the Entire Float Project, she also prepared a fabulous tailgate dinner for all!!! In case you are wondering what Felicia prepared: Warm vats of pulled pork for sandwich making, a variety of cold salads, desserts, and an abundance of refreshments, including Felicia’s very popular Sangria.

Motivator-in-Chief

Click photos to view full size

Photos From Along the Parade Route Tomorrow

Horribles Parade (2012) – Faces of the Children

Posted on by Manuel F. Simoes

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Click on Photo below for entire Slide Show.

Horribles’ Parade.

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

What a great time..  Sista Felicia and her crew did an amazing job.

Please click to see video.  Thank you all

http://youtu.be/2rpjrqIFs_E

 

Secret Set List is done ~ Watch for the GMG Float and Listen for your favorite Local Music

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

The official GMG Float music set list is done — and features almost all local music (with a few non-local party songs thrown in).  We’d post it here, but we’ve been sworn to secrecy!  So be sure to listen when you’re at the Horribles Parade and check our post tomorrow for the complete list.

And don’t forget the FREE CONCERT on the BOULEVARD before and after the parade leading all the way up to the fireworks at 9:30 featuring The Runaround Sound!

We’ll see you there!

The Winning Float will have Winning Local Music

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

That’s right folks.  You all know which will be the winning float and just like last year, we’re creating a special playlist of the best local music available (plus one not-so-local-but-oh-so-party-song).  If you have a request from a local artist (music needs to be on gimmesound.com — see local gimmesound artists here), comment on this post by midnight tonight and we’ll add it.

Be sure to go to the Boulevard after the parade for some of Gloucester’s best high energy music from with The Runaround Sound headlining.  See schedule here.