The Fourth of July has been a much celebrated “High Holy Day” in Salem Willows for over 100 years, highlighted by its annual Horribles Parade. The parade watchers come from every corner of the city and beyond to participate and applaud the floats and walkers each year. A Horribles Parade can be just that — horrible — but in theme only since the categories run the gamut of being Most Patriotic, Current Events, Most Horrible, Best Children’s Group, and Best Adult Group, etc.
This year, on the early morning of the Fourth, we woke up to no water pressure followed by no water at all due to a water main break, essentially smack dab in the middle of the parade route.
The timing couldn’t have been worse!
Within minutes panic set in as neighbors had to deal with the logistical nightmare of hosting family and friends at backyard cookouts without any running water (i.e. showers, cooking, washing, and, most importantly, bathrooms). We had to pivot — the parade got rerouted and neighbors worked together along with our Ward 1 Councilor Cindy Jerzylo, who served as liaison to Salem’s hardworking DPW employees and Salem public safety departments of police and fire.
Social media communication on our neighborhood page was key and updates were helpful.
The Salem Willows neighborhood is so very grateful to Salem DPW Director Ray Jodoin and all the DPW workers for their rapid response and their dedication, hard work and professionalisn. Water was restored in the early afternoon. Also, Salem police officer Tom Cunningham, who was on-site, and police officers Kristina Monk and Ryan Arundel, who were bicycle parade escorts and dealt with many, many questions and concerns along the parade route. My apologies if I inadvertently left anyone out.
All made the annual Horribles Parade not the least bit horrible at all.
Although, next year’s Horribles Parade will undoubtedly have at least one entry of “2025: The parade that almost wasn’t”.
N. Malia Griffin,
Salem