A day 325 years in the making Bordentown celebrates anniversary with parade

Budweiser Clydesdales are joined by Buddy the dalmation as they march through Bordentown City streets for the 325th Anniversary parade Sunday. Staff photo by Phil McAuliffe.

   BORDENTOWN CITY-Residents, visitors and spectators lined up in droves on Sunday to view the parade that capped a year of events, celebrations and festivities for Bordentown City's 325th anniversary.

   The parade, which started and ended at Elizabeth Street, saw more than 54 floats and took nearly three hours to wind its way throughout the town.

   Parking was a scarce commodity as the former Acme parking lot, located on the corner of Farnsworth and Route 130, filled up quickly. Some spectators decided to park in other establishments on Route 130 and make the walk into the city.

   While strolling down Farnsworth Avenue, the cadence of drum music wafted all the way to the very outskirts of the city, and provided lively background music for those barbecuing and hanging out on their front lawns along the route.

   Shiny silver balloons in the shape of a "3," a "2," and a "5," adorned at least one residence while others chose a more seasonal approach of corn stalks and potted mums to salute the parade as it rolled by.    People of all ages watched as float after float carefully steered down the route, while float participants threw handfuls of sweets that inspired youngsters to scramble out to catch the best pieces of candy.

   Parade floats varied from the colorful, to the lively, to the historical, and everything in between.

   Robert Pecht led a historic Bordentown Funeral Homes wagon wearing tuxedo tails and a top-hat that featured a clear hearse box on a wagon.

   The Consolidated Fire Company wagon featured a circa-late 1700s wagon that was a dusty green color.

   Amy Polumbo, Miss New Jersey 2007, wore a hot pink dress while sitting on the top of a classic convertible car as she made her way onto Farnsworth Avenue.

   The Reily Raiders, a drum and bugle Corp band from Willow Grove, Pa., had the crowd swaying from side-to-side with each beat, while Girl Scout troops marched closely behind.

   Steve McGowan, one of the parade organizers, said the weather (which was clear and sunny, with temperatures in the mid-70s) was perfect.

   "I think everything went really well, and people really got into decorating their houses," he added.

   "People were doing exactly what we wanted them to do, which was to have a good time," he added.

   Perhaps the biggest part of the parade (literally) was the eight-horse team of the Budweiser Clydesdales who were led down the route.

   The horses, which stand approximately 18 hands (6 feet) at the shoulder and each weigh an average of 2,000 pounds were relaxing at a Chesterfield farm for the greater part of the week while they prepared for the event.

   "I would really like to thank Richie Page Distributors of Budweiser, because if it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have had the Clydesdales," he said.

   The parade also capped off the year of events that featured historic presentations, parties, spirit walks, Colonial teas, and other recreational fundraising outings all in the name of the 325th anniversary celebration.

   The parade cost approximately $25,000 to put on, said Mr. McGowan.

   A large sum of that money went to bring in the musical parts of the parade, because "nobody comes for free," he added.    The corporate sponsor for the parade was Sterling Bank, with a contribution of $10,000.

   Residents are encouraged to send their personal parade pictures to the city's Web site at www.bordentown325parade.com for the committee to post.