After 71 Years, Marlborough Labor Day Parade Gets New Route

MARLBOROUGH, MA — City officials are planning Marlborough's 2023 Labor Day parade, including a route change for the parade's 71st year.

In 2023, the parade route will remain mostly the same except for one key change: rather than heading down Main Street past the Walker Building and City Hall, the parade will use Granger Boulevard just south of downtown.

The change is due to construction in the downtown area, city officials said.

Organizers are also looking for groups that want to participate in the 2023 parade, and for local businesses and individuals that want to help sponsor the parade.

Marlborough's Labor Day parade dates to 1952, when former mayor Romeo Gadbois and former parks director Louis Ghiloni organized the first end-of-summer event. That year's parade featured World War II veterans and 12 marching units.

The parade grew over the years, including the addition in the 1980s of a separate festival and fireworks display. The event was held every year since 1952, except in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic. The 2022 event was nearly 1-1/2 miles long.

Marlborough Community Cupboard Director Barbara LaGrenade has been selected as the parade's 2023 grand marshal. In the role, LaGrenade will be the centerpiece of the largest Labor Day parade in the region.

The parade steps off at noon on Labor Day, which falls on Sept. 4 in 2023.