Swifts Beach parade celebrates Independence Day with style

Matthew Bernat
Jul 4, 2017
Kyle Nettland waves as he passes spectators during the Swifts Beach Improvement Association's annual Fourth of July parade. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Darby Oren takes a moment to pose for a photo. Oren was part of the crew that won a blue ribbon for its parade float. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Ava and Philip Ragusa drive mini go karts during the parade. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Foxey, a Chihuahua mix, is decked out in patriotic gear for the parade. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Greg and Kristen Nowill stand with their 1-year-old daughter Stella and dog Lia before the parade. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Jimmy Shreve arrived with a balloon in tow. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Aiden Norris, 5, concentrates as he rides his bike down Pleasant Street. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Denise Higgins sits in the car that led the parade on Tuesday. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
A crowd of parade marchers gathers after the event for a photograph. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Ray Gagney, front, drove the float that won a blue ribbon in this year's parade. BY MATTHEW BERNAT
Stella Nowill relaxes before the start of the parade. BY MATTHEW BERNAT

While Wareham got its fireworks display out of the way on Saturday, residents of Swifts Beach neighborhood still had some celebrating to do on the Fourth of July.

Since 1946, the Swifts Beach Improvement Association has held an annual parade in the tight-knit neighborhood. There’s no fire engines, military vehicles or marching band – just families walking and riding bikes alongside a handful of homemade floats.

And residents said that’s exactly how they like it.

Marchers made their way past neighbors who stood on front lawns waving as the group walked down Pleasant Street.

While the mood was festive, organizers said the absence of Janet Nichols-Davies, who passed away in May, was felt.

“She was the queen of the parade,” said Rosemary Pacheco. “She drew everybody together.”

Nichols-Davies had served as the Swifts Beach Improvement Association’s secretary for many years. She and her husband, Raymond Davies, have long been active in the Swifts Beach community.

“We miss her very much,” said Pacheco. “But today is a perfect day for the parade, and she would have loved it.”

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