Excitement will again be in the air, literally, at the Veterans Parade during Wellesley Wellesley Weekend in May—plans are to have a large patriotic balloon guided along the route. The Wellesley Celebrations Committee is polling the public about which balloon it should go with.

Wellesley Wonderful Weekend, set for May 16-17, will get a jump on celebrating the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. The balloon choices are all in keeping with that theme.

Your choices to vote on:

• A 16′ high patriotic heart
• A 12′ high patriotic hat
• A 22′ high Liberty Bell
• Individual Red, White & Blue stars
• A large horizontal American Flag

Last year’s parade featured three 8′ helium balloons, each displaying the logo of a specific branch of the U.S. military—U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy.

The Wellesley High School boys’ lacrosse team has volunteered again to guide the balloons safely along the 2-mile parade route, which runs from around Woodlawn Avenue down Washington Street to Wellesley Square.

The parade balloon will be made possible thanks to title sponsor Wellesley Country Club. A second balloon could be added if enough donations are made, with the Country Club and residents pledging to match donations. Donate to help fund a second balloon.

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Wellesley Wonderful Weekend, set for May 16-17, will get a jump on the celebrating the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

That milestone is commemorated in the Wellesley celebration’s logo and will be recognized throughout the spring weekend, which features one-time events as well as traditional ones such as the Veterans Parade, municipal open houses, and fireworks.

“At its heart, Wellesley Wonderful Weekend is a celebration of unity” said Carl Nelson, a Wellesley Celebrations Committee board member, in a statement. “While America is vast and diverse, its strength begins in communities like ours—in town centers, along parade routes, and in shared moments of connection and joy. As we gather to mark 250 years since our nation’s founding, we celebrate not only America’s past, but Wellesley’s enduring spirit.”

The Wonderful Weekend actually kicks off on Thursday, May 14 with a special concert at Wellesley Hills Congregatonal Church highlighting Katharine Lee Bates of “America the Beautiful” fame (Bates was a graduate of Wellesley High School (then called Needham High School) and Wellesley College). The concert will feature musical performances by the Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, the Wellesley Town Band, and the Wellesley Choral Society, plus dramatic readings.

On Saturday, May 16 more than 30 free community events will be offered, including open houses at the police and fire stations, and the touch-a-truck spectacular at the Department of Public Works. The day starts with the Pancake Breakfast organized by the Kiwanis Club of Wellesley and also features the Pups in the Park event organized by the Rotary Club of Wellesley.

Also on Saturday: Re-enactments of the creation and writing of The Declaration of Independence with Ben Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson will be held at Wellesley Town Hall, and of the famous ride of Paul Revere/William Dawes. An encampment of Patriots will be present at Town Hall and the British Artillery will be at Morton Field with live cannon fire.

On Sunday, May 17, the morning begins with the Wonder Run 5K race and Kids Fun Run organized by the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club, as well as an Antique Car Show organized by the Modifiers Car Club of Wellesley on Central Street. Later, residents will line the streets for the 58th Annual Wellesley Veterans Parade, honoring those who have served our country and recognizing the organizations and individuals who serve our community. Wellesley Country Club is sponsoring the parade.

The weekend culminates with an evening concert, community picnic, and fireworks display at Hunnewell Field on Washington Street.

Those interested in sponsoring any weekend events may contact the Wellesley Celebrations Committee at wellesleycelebrations@gmail.com

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Wellesley Media has published its video of the 57th Annual Wellesley Veterans Parade. Enjoy!

Swellesley’s comprehensive Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend coverage:

• Scenes from 57th Annual Veterans Parade
• Behind the scenes as a parade display
• Your 2025 Wellesley Veterans Parade award winners…
• Wellesley shows off Town Hall’s upgraded insides at Wonderful Weekend open house
• Wellesley’s Pups in the Park raises funds for animal welfare
• Saturday scenes from Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend
• 57th Annual Wellesley Veterans Parade honorees: Military leaders; Local government volunteers & employees; Beloved businesses & more

Please consider supporting your dedicated local news source with a tax-deductible donation. Thank you!

There was something for everyone at Wellesley’s 57th Annual Veterans Parade, from military service people to school floats to bands to local luminaries. The parade was followed by a picnic in the park, music and performances, and… fireworks.

It was a feast for the eyes and ears, and we thank Mark Antonelli from the Wellesley Celebrations Committee for sharing these photos, as we were otherwise occupied.

[Read more…]

After 20 years, we finally got the call we’d been waiting for. The Wellesley Celebrations Committee formally invited The Swellesley Report to ride in a fancy convertible up Washington Street as part of the 57th Annual Veterans Parade during Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend. What’s more, we were to collect a major award at the reviewing stand. Let’s go.

Experiencing the route was a blast.  Kids shouted out to us,  “Got any candy? Can I ride with you?” No to the ride. But of course we had candy. Our swell son was a popular fixture along the route, passing out treats to the kids. One kid, seeing we were recording the scene, yelled out: “Am I going to be famous?”

 
As parade displays, we took our role seriously, from our endless candy supply to waving.

We waved to kids, babes-in-arms, their families, and seniors. We waved to those who knew us, and to those who looked puzzled. We waved to the many fine pups along the route. We even waved to the commuter rail as it beeped its way through town.

As our driver exited the parade route, she wasn’t done volunteering for the day. A member of the Wellesley Postcomers, Sarah was next on duty at Village Church for the post-parade reception. We would have to find our own way back to the Community Center.

After a celebratory debrief in Village Church’s sunny events space, we hopped the shuttle. One minute we were luminaries in a snazzy red BMW convertible. The next, we rumbled through the streets anonymously in a big yellow school bus. No more crowds. No more accolades. Just a one-way trip back to the Community Center.

Thanks for an amazing day, Wellesley. Heck, thanks for an amazing 20 years. Let’s keep this local news coverage/readership thing we have going, shall we?

We shall. Time for us to get back to work.

Did you enjoy the parade, picnic, fireworks, and everything else that made up Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend? Please donate to the Celebrations Committee to keep the party going next year.