HopNews
Whether or not we have the Horribles Parade isn’t especially important to me. However, at the last Select Board meeting, I found the opposition to the parade to be nothing short of ridiculous. The excuses given for not having the parade were laughable.
One-Sided Political Parade?
Hardly. The Horribles Parade is not exclusive; anyone can participate. In the past, Democrats, Republicans, and neighborhoods entered floats into the parade. By all accounts, most, if not all, residents enjoyed the parade. Last year, however, Democrats chose not to participate. That does not make it a one-sided political parade.
Town Liability Insurance—Since When Has This Mattered?
The Town has been insuring the parade through the Parks and Recreation Department for many years, and it has been that way since insurance became a requirement. BTW, it’s not Park and Rec’s insurance; it is the Town’s insurance. If it wasn’t insured through the Parks and Rec, it was through another town department. No. Big. Deal.
What if a Claim is Filed?
This is precisely why the town carries insurance. Insurance is just that: INSURANCE.
Quick reminder to those who were in favor of firing Tim Brennan: Why was there no concern over a claim being filed against the town’s insurance, then? There was a 100% chance that if Tim Brennan were to be fired, a claim against the town’s insurance would be filed—a big, fat claim.
Additionally, the risk of having a claim filed against the insurance has ALWAYS EXISTED and was never a problem. Suddenly, the risk needs to be quantified?
Unfair to Other Parade Permit Seekers?
Kizner, Ritterbusch, and Mannan worried about what other parade permit seekers would think if the Horribles Parade were included under the Town’s liability insurance. Do they know how ridiculous that is? The Horribles Parade is almost 100 years old and has been covered under the town’s liability insurance since insurance coverage became a requirement many years ago.
We Don’t Want to Set a Precedent
Kizner is new, but Ritterbusch and Mannan have VOTED TO APPROVE THIS PARADE EVERY YEAR they have been on the Select Board, and they never worried about setting a precedent until June 17, 2025. Nor did they care about the feelings of the other permit seekers until a week ago.
Brian Herr pointed out that most other parade permits go to races such as a 5K, 10K, or the Boston Marathon. Races have a revenue stream, part of which pays for their insurance.
Fact-Check
Under the “Trust but Verify” principle, HopNews checked in with a local non-profit renting the Town Common for one day each October to host its 5K. We contacted the Michael Lisnow Respite Center, and this is what we found:
- The Town waives all permitting fees for the 5K.
- The Respite Center obtains a one-day insurance policy through its insurance provider, not through the Town.
This arrangement makes perfect sense, as the 5K is a Respite Center event, not a town-sponsored event.
What about the Senior Car Parade?
Did anyone care about insurance when that parade permit was filed? To find out, HopNews reviewed previous Select Board agendas until we found the parade permit for the Senior Car Parade. It was approved on February 18. We then watched the YouTube recording of that meeting. Were there any concerns?
No Concerns
No worries about the following:
- Liability insurance for the Senior Car Parade, through the town or otherwise.
- Fairness to other permit seekers.
- Setting a precedent.
- Claims against the town’s liability insurance.
- Cost. There is NO ADDITIONAL COST TO THE TOWN for including either the Senior Car Parade (approved) or the Horribles Parade (not approved) under the town’s liability insurance. (NONE, NADA, $0)
Which begs the Question: Why Now?
Why is there a sudden concern NOW over liability insurance for the Horribles Parade when nobody cared when the permit was filed in February, and nobody cares about other parades on the town’s insurance?
This sudden pushback makes one wonder if this was a coordinated effort to prevent the Horribles Parade from happening this year. But that can’t be; we voted against partisan politics.
1. A very disappointing decision with a complete lack of a review of history. “We learn from history that we don’t learn from history.”
2. Excellent research and investigation on the part of HopNews.
3. There will be a parade!
Correction: The Hopkinton Democratic Town Committee has participated only once in the Horribles Parade in recent memory. That was in 2019.
Insurance professional here. Hypothetical claims are nearly impossible to predict the outcome of, but let’s say there was an “incident” during the parade which resulted in a liability claim. Assuming the most likely type of incident would include a motor vehicle. Unless said incident involved a town vehicle, a claim would likely first be made against the insurance of the involved vehicle, which would be primary insurance for any minor accident. Unless there was a serious injury and someone sued, the town’s insurance would likely not come into play for any minor accidents. Given that the parade moves very slowly, there is a slim chance, though never say never, for any claim. Historically, has there been a single claim against the town’s insurance for anything related to this parade?
Who wrote this? Dear Editor – did you even see last year’s parade? I did. I saw 2 of our citizens, not involved in the parade, raked over the coals on the floats. Why do we need to step on others? What kind of American celebration is that? Folks talk of the parades of yrs ago. Horses down Main Street? I’ve been here 31 yrs and don’t recall that. Nor do the little girls push their baby carriages on the street. Those days are gone. Ken if you want to put on a 4th of July parade I will gladly help you.
Amy-you are very wrong. The Democratic Town Committee has had floats in the Horribles Parade for years. Check with them. In the past they had fun and often won prizes. Check with long time past resident Sandy Altumara. A wonderful person who participated for years on thr DTC float and somettimes with Elm Street. She knew how to have fun!
Mr. Krishna,
Personal attacks are not allowed on HopNews. Please refrain from questioning anyone’s mental well-being. This section is intended solely for respectful and constructive debate.
This town is a sad shell of what it once was. To object to holding a nearly 100 year old parade is utterly disappointing. Maybe it should not be surprising, it’s a microcosm of where we are as a society. Someone is always offended and if they are not then someone is telling them they should be. Fun seems to not be allowed anymore. I long for the Hopkinton of old but it has sadly waived bye a long time ago and this is what we have now.
Anonymous
Apparently the Select Board forgets how that group of old men volunteers to help with projects all over town. Who takes care of the fountain in the common? It would be them. As a union man I can’t believe that the Democrats in town are so lazy and but hurt. That they can’t muster up a float. The Select Board needs to remember who does the volunteer work in town and stop putting them down.
Its so sad to see the town that I loved go downhill. I grew up participating in this parade, the carriage march, neighborhood floats, school floats, to my brother in-law’s float. We had water balloon fights with spectators, the FD used the water hose, candy throwing. Was there politically incorrectness, yes there was, and it was the best. I will always cherish these memories, its a shame, Hopkinton NOW will not.
Sheryl the parade of long ago hasn’t been around for so so long time. 30+ yrs here I never saw baby carriages in the parade. The water balloons had to stop as some were full of ice and actually damaged some town vehicles. Our kids liked the candy. I didn’t mind the squirt guns but some did. I’m happy you have wonderful memories of your childhood here in town. I have some of the great memories of growing up up in Arlington too.
Steve Snow – Make it a 4th of July Parade and there’s a good chance more folks will join. No one is ‘butt hurt’ just some would rather not have their names attached to a parade set up to be cruel to our neighbors. We are ALL long time volunteers who should be heard. Not one of us is more valuable than the next. I volunteer when I believe in what I’m doing. I’ll add that I have serious fact check issues with this article.
Those individuals were a subject of a float for doing exactly what you are advocating against: attacking fellow neighbors! It was the synonyms float!
Beth Malloy, the only time I’ve ever heard the words FACT CHECK ever spoken, were the lies from the democrats. Please fact check those.
That’s funny coming from a retired cop who knows that evidence is everything. All facts should be checked. Don’t you agree? It’s not political- it’s life.
Just my 2 cents. Been here since 1987 and been to many of these parades. The first parade I was in was in 1990 driving a fire truck. The Woodville 4H Club had horses I think all the way up to 2010ish, not sure. I remember being in the great Kazoo Band led by Ed Flannery in 1993. I was honored to be a Horrible Judge last year and just went through my pictures of the Police Car, two floats and a dump truck and still can’t figure out who was raked over the coals. I mean Ed Harrow was named on one of the signs, but it can’t be him, he loves being the Billboard Man of the Year.