The Friends of Christopher Columbus Park held an Independence Day celebration in the park featuring a full day of fun family events on Saturday, June 29, 2013. Free activities included a parade through the park, led by Uncle Sam on stilts followed by entertainment from Big Joe the Storyteller, T-Bone the modern pied piper, Tanglewood Marionettes and Peter O’Malley the Magician. There were tables of fun from the New England Aquarium and NEMPAC’s popular instrument zoo. Leading the group in the national anthem was NEMPAC’s Christina Riccio. Boston Fire added to the fun bringing Ladder 1 and letting kids shoot the fire hose into the harbor. Lawn games were also a big hit on the West Lawn and Boston Animal Control was on hand to help educate dog owners in the park.
The event committee was co-chaired by FOCCP members Kathleen Tedesco and Laura Benvenuto. The group thanks its sponsors for the event: Al Dente Restaurant, Boston Pushcart, Benevento’s, Elite Boston Landmark Realty, Joe’s American Bar & Grill, Marriott Long Wharf, and Sunstone Hotel Investors plus the FOCCP membership whose yearly contributions help fund this and other events.
Banner Carriers at the Independence Day Parade in the Park
Uncle Sam on Stilts leads the parade in the park
Independence Parade in the Park along Boston Harbor
Uncle Sam on Stilts waves the flag at Christopher Columbus Park
Familes Parade at Christopher Columbus Park
Kids walk between Uncle Sams stilt legs
Flag waving and decorated scooters at the parade in the park
Joanne Hayes-Rines and Grandkids
Kristina Riccio Sings the National Anthem
Listening to Big Joe the Storyteller
T-Bone, the modern Pied Piper, gets the kids dancing
Hula Hoops in the Park
Marching with Flags for Independence Day at Christopher Columbus Park
Jack gets a lift on a bicycle from Uncle Sam
NEMPAC’s Sherri Snow with Sophia on the violin
Lady Liberty is joined by Lady Meghan and Lady Joanne
Julianna and Uncle Sam on the big bike
Posing on the Boston Fire truck
Shooting the fire hose into the harbor at Christopher Columbus Park
Boston Fireman shows the kids how to work the fire hose
Boston Ladder 1 takes a lift over Christopher Columbus Park
The Ladies of NEMPAC
Martin Keogh campaigning for City Council next to Uncle Sam
Touch tank at the park from the New England Aqarium
Riccio Ladies with Uncle Sam
Patriotism Wins the Day
Frankie Boyer and Micayla
Tanglewood Marrionettes entertains the crowd
Performance by Tanglewood Marionettes at Christopher Columbus Park
Daniel takes a ride on the monster bike helped by Uncle Sam
Peter O’Malley works his magic on the kids
Linda from Animal Control provided educational material at the event
Video: Acts III and IV of Bizet’s Opera, Carmen, presented by NEMPAC at Christopher Columbus Park. (See Acts I and II in this previous video post.) Watch it in HD! An awe-inspired outdoor audience gave an enthusiastic response to the Sunday afternoon opera performance of Bizet’s Carmen by the North End Music and Performing Arts Center, Read More…
The horticulture volunteers from the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park have been very busy pruning, weeding and fertilizing the Waterfront Crescent and the Rose Garden in preparation for the blooming season. The rewards were a magnificent display of wisteria blooms during May as well as the beginning of blooming in the Crescent (Creeping Blue Geraniums Read More…
The North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) provided another free concert Thursday on the Prado (Paul Revere Mall) as a part of their Free Summer Concert Series. REVMA performed traditional Greek music for all to enjoy. Free arts and crafts were also provided by North End Against Drugs. To start the night off, Read More…
3 Replies to “Independence Day Celebration at Christopher Columbus Park Brings Out Neighborhood Families [Photos]”
Great photos Matt…you certainly captured the essence of the day. Thank You
Wow! Christopher Columbus Park was the ONLY place to be on Sat. June 29th. Cheers to the FOCCP gang that worked their magic to produce a truly fabulous Event. Matts pictures capture the joy and delight of young and old alike. Love living in the North End.
A very proud and happy resident and FOCCP member.
Michele Brogan
It was a glorious day for children and adults alike. We had a wonderful turnout from the neighborhood. We also had so many people who were new to the Park, including visitors from beyond the ‘hood, out-of-town and out-of-the country. There are more pictures and action shots on the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park face-book page. Please check them out and see whether your neighbors, or maybe you, are there. No names are posted.
Thank you Matt, for always being there for FOCCP.
Meredith
Great photos Matt…you certainly captured the essence of the day. Thank You
Wow! Christopher Columbus Park was the ONLY place to be on Sat. June 29th. Cheers to the FOCCP gang that worked their magic to produce a truly fabulous Event. Matts pictures capture the joy and delight of young and old alike. Love living in the North End.
A very proud and happy resident and FOCCP member.
Michele Brogan
It was a glorious day for children and adults alike. We had a wonderful turnout from the neighborhood. We also had so many people who were new to the Park, including visitors from beyond the ‘hood, out-of-town and out-of-the country. There are more pictures and action shots on the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park face-book page. Please check them out and see whether your neighbors, or maybe you, are there. No names are posted.
Thank you Matt, for always being there for FOCCP.
Meredith