Charlestown was brightly colored red, white and blue Sunday for the 249th parade commemorating the historic Battle of Bunker Hill.
“It’s such an important part of our history,” said Lily Jones, watching over kids shooting bubble from guns over the parade on Bunker Hill Street. “I love that we come out here in Charlestown to remember and celebrate our history and those who served our country then and those who serve now.”
The Bunker Hill Day parade, one of the oldest parades in the U.S., kicked off at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, winding around Bunker Hill Street and Main Street through a beautiful sunny afternoon in Charlestown. The parade commemorates “the Battle of Bunker Hill, the armed services and the essence of American heritage while celebrating the historic neighborhood of Charlestown,” the parade organization said.
The famous battle during the Revolutionary War took place on June 17, 1775 during the Siege of Boston. Bunker Hill was a victory for the British, but the hard-fought win at the start of the war showed the potential of American forces.
The first parade commemorating the battle took place in 1786, according to the parade organization, celebrating on the newly finished Charlestown Bridge before proceeding to Bunker Hill.
“I love all the music!” shouted 10-year-old Allie, as a truck float drove by shooting red, white and blue confetti up into the air and blaring “Build Me Up Buttercup.”
Marching bands lined the streets throughout the parade with bagpipes, drums and horns, thundering out everything from military themes and patriotic staples to pop hits like Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night.”
A range of groups and organizations showed up to march in the historic parade, including police, fire and other first responders from Greater Boston communities; veterans and active military servicemembers; historical military reenactors and societies; and local community groups.
Shots from rifles intermittently rang out and cut through the noise, leaving the smell of smoke hanging in the air. A marching Captain Jack Sparrow also turned heads and earned cheers, enthusiastically waving a Celtics flag over his head.
“We’ve had a lot of fun today,” said Charlestown resident Georgia Bolin, standing with her family as the National Lancers went by on horseback. “What a beautiful day for the city.”
