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Date: 5/25/2021
HATFIELD – In 2020, Hatfield reached its 350th anniversary, however, the pandemic put a damper on any type of celebration. Rather than eliminating planned events, the town decided to postpone their largest celebration, Hatfield’s 350th birthday parade, to take place on May 30.
The birthday parade will be a seven mile loop around Hatfield. Since Covid pushed the parade to Memorial Day weekend, the two parades will be meshed into one.
Robert Betsold, co-chair, marketing and fundraising for Hatfield’s 350th Anniversary Steering Committee said, the parade route is usually a mile and a half long. This year, it’s considered a “rolling parade.”
Betsold explained, there will be staging and the parade will be split into eight divisions. Each division will start in a different location, in different routes.
The eight “divisions” are groupings. The divisions in order are as follows: Hatfield, tractors, Hadley, Northampton, frontier towns, antique cars, the Shiners.
On May 29, the state of Massachusetts will increase to 100 percent capacity. Betsold said, although COVID restrictions may be lifted, the town will still be following best practices and maintain social distancing. They are asking people who are immunocompromised to wear a mask.
He added, the point of having a rolling parade is to spread people out, safely, along with providing additional areas for spectators.
“We won’t have huge populations. The Polish American String Band, Shiners, etc., will be separated into their own areas,” said Betsold.
There will be 13 bands within the parade throughout the different divisions. All of them will be on trailers rather than marching, due to the longer route.
Betsold assured, “Everyone will see everything.”
The national anthem will be sung right before 1 p.m. A fly over is scheduled for 1 p.m., which will begin the parade. All divisions will immediately follow, with the American Legion leading.
The parade will be livestreamed on YouTube through Hatfield Community TV.
“People are looking for something to do,” said Betsold. While many are people vaccinated, there has been a “buzz” to get out and enjoy life again.
While 2020 was the official 350th year, eleven events were still able to take place. The town hosted a gala, along with smaller events before the pandemic began and put everything on hold.
“Most events were in modified formats,” stated Betsold. Some were remote, while others in-person. Betsold assured, no matter what, they worked closely with local officials to ensure safety.
To wrap-up celebrations, the parade will be the last big event for 2021. The town is looking to host smaller events moving forward.
Betsold informed Reminder Publishing, the town turns 351 on May 31 – one day after the parade.
He believes this is “ironic”, as it will take place on the last day of Hatfield being 350 years old.
Throughout the past year, Betsold said there have been a lot of volunteers. “It’s been a different time for everyone. None of this would’ve been possible without town officials, town departments, and volunteers. They continued to come through with everything we’ve needed.”
A spectators guide will be released in regards to parking and parade routes. Betsold asked that no one park in the parade route and to be where you need to be by 12 p.m. Road closures will begin an hour before the parade begins.
For additional information on the Hatfield 350th birthday parade, visit http://www.hatfield350.com.