Kids & Family
Essex Ed Parade - - Sunday, January 29!
Experience Essex and one of its most beloved and unique traditions since 1978 – the Essex Ed Parade, on Sunday, January 29th at 2pm.
Experience Essex and one of its most beloved and unique traditions since 1978 – the Essex Ed Parade, on Sunday, January 29th at 2pm.
Bring your pots and pans, spoons, whistles and trumpets and head to Essex Village. Essex Ed, a larger-than-life-groundhog, will make his annual pilgrimage from Essex Boatworks on Ferry Street and up Main Street. All are invited to join with noisemakers and festive groundhog gear! Let’s make enough of a racket to wake up the massive marmot mascot!
Who will Essex Ed be?
Find out what's happening in Essex-Chester-Deep Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
As always, Ed’s costume is a secret until his parade appearance. Each year a community organization dresses him in a costume that acknowledges a person, group or special occasion. That costume and organization will be revealed on the parade route to Ed’s final place of honor, at the roundabout on the top of Main Street.
Humble Beginnings
Find out what's happening in Essex-Chester-Deep Riverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In 1978, Essex Ed was created out of boredom by local resident Mary Ellen Brophy and friends who wanted to interject some fun into what was an extremely cold and unpleasant winter. Without securing town approval, Mary Ellen referred to Essex Ed’s surprise appearance at the Essex Square roundabout on Groundhog Day as “creative vandalism – a way to get everybody outside for some silly, winter fun.”
Over the years, Ed has sported a wide range of disguises, ranging from an Olympic skier, complete with a gold medal touting “Gopher the Gold”, to Superhog, with a cape and Superwoman-style uniform. He/she’s been the Captain of the Titanic, Princess Leia, a football player, firefighter, fisherman, soldier, Beethoven, preppie, librarian, and even Elvis!
New This Year
The local celebrity groundhog is featured in a newly published children’s book, Essex Ed’s Groundhog Day Parade (ISBN: 9798840622902), written by Essex resident Susan Cornell. This independently published book is beautifully illustrated by award-winning artist Mina Hamanoto Mohtasham, an instructor at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts and Essex resident. Essex Ed’s Groundhog Day Parade is available at various establishments in Essex and makes a great way to remember the day for years to come.
The Griswold Inn will serve popcorn & hot chocolate for parade goers, just as it’s done since day #1, 1978!
Parade is weather permitting. Any update will be posted on Instagram @experienceessex.
