Town’s homecoming festivities return for 11th year on newly proclaimed ‘Joe Uliano Day’

This Saturday, September 25, Cantonians both near and far will have a chance to reunite and reconnect when the town hosts its 11th annual Homecoming Parade and Block Party — a celebrated fall tradition featuring live music performances, carnival rides, outdoor dining, and much more, all in the heart of downtown Canton.

This year’s festivities, which kick off with the parade at 5 p.m., are once again dedicated to the memory of the late Billy Armando, a Canton legend who served as chairman of the Recreation Commission for over 20 years until his passing in 2007. In addition, fellow recreation commissioner Joe Uliano, one of Armando’s longtime friends, will also be honored as the town has proclaimed September 25 to be Joe Uliano Day.

“Joe helps in so many ways that you just don’t realize,” said Larry Bogue, the current chairman of the Recreation Commission. “This town means the world to him and it’s obvious with everything that he does.”

And even if Uliano is unable to attend on Saturday, his presence, along with Armando’s, will still be felt throughout the event, according to Bogue.

“I’m able to run it with the [block party] committee because they did all the footwork; they set it up,” he said of his two predecessors, calling them “great guys” who were both “fantastic” to work with.

Bogue said this year’s homecoming celebration will be similar to past years, with the parade traveling from Canton High School to Neponset Street, followed immediately by the block party until 9:30 p.m.

Participants in the parade will include town leaders, police cars and motorcycles, fire engines, floats, marching bands, and various civic organizations. The block party, which typically draws a crowd of about 8,000, will feature an assortment of craft tables, food vendors, and activities such as face painting and rock climbing walls. Several civic and sports groups will also participate, as will many of the downtown restaurants and shops.

Musical entertainment will be provided by three live bands: Blues band Zip Code, ’60s and ’70s band Reminiscents, and pop rock singer and guitarist Mark Morris, who grew up in Canton and now resides in neighboring Stoughton.

As is the case every year, carnival rides in the Walgreen’s and Canton Co-operative Bank parking lots will be free of charge. There will also be a chance to win a cash prize, as the Recreation Department will hold a 50/50 raffle, with tickets available right up until the drawing at 9:15 p.m.

Police will close Washington Street from Sherman to Neponset streets at 4 p.m., and the street will reopen around 12 a.m. Event parking will be available at the Canton Junction parking lot, at Stanetsky Funeral Home, and along side streets.

Bogue said the homecoming celebration would not be possible without the support of countless individuals and groups — everyone from the police and fire departments to the donors who provide the funding to the DPW workers who clean the streets once the festivities have ended. “Everyone is so cooperative,” he said. “That’s why it’s so easy to run.”

Bogue also wanted to remind residents about the other big event being held Saturday: the sixth annual Homecoming Road Race, sponsored by Reebok and the Canton Association of Business and Industries. The race, which last year drew almost 450 runners, doubles as CABI’s largest annual fundraiser, with the proceeds going to several Canton non-profit organizations, such as the Mass Hospital School and the Clarke School for the Deaf, as well as various town departments, including the Police, Fire, and Recreation departments, among others.

This year’s race, which starts and finishes at Canton High School, will feature a 5K and 10K, a wheelchair race, and a one-mile “fun run” for children under 13. There will also be a 5K corporate challenge in which teams of runners will compete for the Corporate Champions Cup, as well as a new 10K challenge for local health clubs, with the winning team earning a trophy and the title of “fittest fitness center.”

For more information on the road race, including start times, go to www.cantonai.org/race.

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Posted by Jay Turner on Sep 23 2010. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.