Marlborough Food Pantry Leader Will Lead 2023 Labor Day Parade

MARLBOROUGH, MA — The leader of Marlborough's 2023 Labor Day parade will be a local woman has labored against food insecurity locally for more than a decade.

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.

"LaGrenade is committed to fighting food insecurity and offers various programs to help Marlborough residents in need," Mayor Arthur Vigeant said in selecting LaGrenade. "Her longstanding dedication to helping families is deeply appreciated."

LaGrenade took over at the food pantry about 13 years ago. The downtown food pantry feeds up to 850 local families per month.

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.

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.

The Marlborough Labor Day parade will be held on Sept. 4 beginning at noon.