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Loyalty Day Starts Upton Summer Sports

By Shelley Ryan Staff Reporter · May 06, 2011

It was smiles all around as the local baseball teams marched

in the Loyalty Day Parade.



Sunday, May 1, Upton celebrated Loyalty Day with sunny skies, a parade down Main Street, opening ceremonies to start the 2011 baseball and softball season and a day of baseball games. Loyalty Day is a day of national observance set aside for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom and reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States.

Led by members of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign War, participants of Upton's Youth Baseball and Softball were on hand to march in the parade in their uniforms from Memorial School to the VFW. Also featured in the parade were the Upton Police and Fire Departments, Board of Selectmen, Upton's Men's Club, and the Miscoe Hill Middle School Marching Band.

A new addition to the traditional festivities was a moonwalk, face painting; a cookout at the VFW and the Snack Shack was open all day. "I received so many comments on how well it went this year!" said Kerrilyn Pessin who was on the Loyalty Day committee but credits Tricia Lucier as the one who "organized everything!"

The day itself kicked off with a Baseball Skills challenge at 9 a.m. for ages 8-12 which included a homerun derby, base running, and an accurate throw contest. The parade began at noon and ended about 20 minutes later at the VFW with a short ceremony and then the baseball games continued until dusk. Activities were planned throughout the afternoon. The committee worked hard to make the day more family orientated which helped to include siblings who were not playing baseball or softball. "We had the DJ, the new Upton baseball t shirts for sale and all the activities which kept all the kids involved!" Pessin said.

This years festivities also had a special guest attraction, a tree carver, the Machine Jessie Green from Medway who Pessin's husband, Dan, found and paid for through private donations. "He carved a little boy with a baseball hat and glove and bat! People were so excited!" Pessin said adding, "We also had the cotton candy machine and Sals Pizza! The VFW had the moonwalk and even the vets hung out with the kids!"





Ready for the summer softball teams dressed in colorful uniforms marched in the Upton Loyalty Day Parade.





Sunny skies, balmy temperatures and warm crowds greeted the VFW Honor Guard leading the Upton Loyalty Day Parade.