Marlborough's Labor Day Parade On Tap

MARLBOROUGH, MA—The 67th Annual Marlborough Labor Day Parade steps off at noon on

Monday, September 3, 2018 led by Grand Marshal Bobby Butler and his family. Butler, an NHL
player, Olympian, and Marlborough resident, was chosen as Grand Marshal by the Marlborough
Labor Day Parade Committee for his perseverance, volunteerism, and leadership in the
Marlborough community.

Mayor Vigeant said, “The Labor Day Parade is the day we look forward to most. We are excited
to celebrate Bobby Butler this year in recognition of the role he plays in helping young people
from Marlborough and beyond become not only better hockey players, but also great leaders in
their communities.”

This year’s parade line-up is comprised of many traditional parade favorites, including: the
Hallamore Clydesdales, a full Aleppo Shriners entourage of miniaturize motor vehicles and
colorful clowns, and the Marlborough High School Marching Band. Marlborough Veterans and
families will get a unique view in this year’s parade seated in a Boston Trolley, sponsored by State
Representative Danielle Gregoire.

Other groups featuring in the parade include Color Killer (a local band of young Marlborough
residents), the UMass Lowell Marching Band, and the Waltham Legion Band, who have chosen
to dedicate its performance to the late George Whapham, Veteran and longtime Parade Director.

The 2018 parade includes the “Float Challenge” and the three awards available are: Judge’s Trophy
for the judge’s choice, Marlborough Trophy for Most Artistic Float, and the Grand Marshal Trophy
for Best Overall Float. Participants in the challenge this year include: Apex Entertainment, Relay
for Life (Team Vikki), Immaculate Conception School, Cottage Children’s Center, Marlborough
High School Music Dept., United Native American Cultural Center, THRIVE Advocacy and
Support, the Hope Community Church, and Villatoro Restaurant & Cafe.

Mayor Vigeant said, “We are able to put this parade on every year because of the dedication of
dozens of volunteers, including Marlborough High School cheerleaders, our local Ward Park
Pickleball League and the generosity of our parade donors.”

The Labor Day Parade will follow the traditional route: stepping off at the intersection of Lincoln
and Pleasant Streets following Lincoln Street to Broad Street to West Main Street to Main Street,
ending at the intersection of Main and Bolton Streets.

Additional information about Grand Marshal Bobby Butler: Born in 1987, Butler was raised in the City of Marlborough. He is the son of Wendy and “Coach” John Butler. Butler and his wife Lisa have two children, Vincent and Beckham.

Butler joined the Marlborough High School varsity hockey team in eighth grade. During Butler’s
senior year he led Marlborough High School to its 2005 state championship. His outstanding
goal record is memorialized on a Navin Arena banner, serving as an inspiration for younger
hockey players.

Butler continued his stellar career playing for the University of New Hampshire’s team as part of
the class of 2010 and was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, which goes to the best college
hockey player of the year. Butler had a successful pro hockey career in the AHL, NHL, and
Europe. Butler also represented his country at the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2013 and
at the 2018 Winter Olympics team in PyeongChang, Korea.

Butler has coached numerous Marlborough Hockey teams, has worked tirelessly to secure sports
items for the Mayor’s Charity Ball and other area charities, and has created New England Sports
Center’s Shoot to Score Hockey School program to teach and encourage aspiring hockey players.

Photo via Shutterstock