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Windham's 37th Boom Box Parade
Date and Time
Monday Jul 4, 2022
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDTJuly 4, 2022
11a-12:30pFees/Admission
Free
Website
Contact Information
Wayne Norman 860-456-1111
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The 37th annual WILI “BOOM BOX PARADE” begins at 11:00 a.m. on July 4th, beginning at Jillson Square in downtown Willimantic, marching westbound for 2/3 mile to Memorial Park. It’s THE LARGEST PARADE OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD!
The 36rd annual WILI “BOOM BOX PARADE” returned to Main Street in Willimantic in 2021. The parade went virtual in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic (for details, see below). For pictures of the 2021 WILI July 4th Boom Box Parade, go to the “WILI Boom Box Parade” facebook page.
In 1986, no marching band could be found for Windham’s Memorial Day Parade. Five weeks later, the “Boom Box Parade” concept was born, as WILI-AM radio played the marching band music on the air, while thousands marched and watched, loudly playing their radios (boom boxes). No other town has a parade like this.
Anyone can march or enter a float in “Connecticut’s Unique People’s Parade.” The only requirement is to wear some red, white, and blue, and bring a radio tuned to WILI (1400-AM). And now, the parade music is simulcast on WILI-AM’s FM translator at 95.3 FM. American flags are encouraged. There is no “official” theme for the parade.
Formation for the Boom Box Parade starts at Jillson Square on Main Street around 9:00 on July 4th. No pre-registration is necessary. The parade runs seven tenths of a mile west on Main Street to Memorial Park. Safety guidelines include no water spraying, no throwing candy (but candy can be handed out), and no reckless operator behavior.
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