Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 10/2/2019
SOUTHWICK – It’s not uncommon to see animals on roads in an agricultural community, but a goat wearing pajamas or a rabbit with a flower lei is a bit unusual, even for Southwick.
That’s just what spectators may see as the 2nd Annual Southwick Farm Parade will march – and huff and Moo – its way through town Oct. 20.
The parade starts at 2 p.m. from the intersection of Coes Hill Road and Interstate Building Supply on College Highway and ends one-mile down the road at Town Hall. The rain date for the parade is Oct. 27.
The inaugural parade in 2018 was a surprise hit for most, but not founder Robert Polverari who banked on its success to raise funds for the Southwick-Polverari Animal Control Facility.
“The parade included 40 tractors, 45 animals, Girl Scouts, 4-H members, seniors riding in a trolley and the town band dressed in farmer uniforms playing Yankee Doodle Dandy,” said Polverari. “It was a great parade with hundreds of people watching and we are hopeful it will be bigger this year.”
This year the Southwick Civic Fund is helping organize and accepting donations and applications for participants via www.southwickcivicfund.org.
There will be an awards ceremony and tractor display at Town Hall and the local Resurrection Airmen Country Band is also donating its time to provide music for the event. A variety of food stuffs including hamburgers and hot dogs will be available also for purchase.
Polverari is organizing contingents from surrounding communities to join the event and hopes there will be many spectators along the route.
Participants can register for a small fee of $15 with all proceeds benefiting the animal control facility. Registration forms will also be available prior to the start of the parade.
Animals and tractors will be judged, and trophies will include a “seniors’ choice” award, as well as first, second and third place by the judges. Barbara Polverari is overseeing the judging aspect of the event while Robert Polverari is handling basic logistics along with assistance from several friends.
The Polveraris are animal lovers and donated the town’s animal shelter. They are also assisting with the shelter’s continued success by fundraising through the Farm Parade.
Polverari noted that all animals must be on a leash, lead, or in a crate. The age of the handler must be at least 18-years of age. Handlers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Jack Moccio, a lifelong town resident, will be assisting Polverari with tractor participants.
For inquiries about tractor participation, contact Moccio at 237-4141 or general information to Polverari at 531-0336 or visit www.southwickcivicfund.org.