PETERSHAM – The town turned out for the annual Fourth of July Parade, and this year’s saw a special presentation to coincide with the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Prior to the start of Saturday’s parade, state Rep. Aaron Saunders, D-Belchertown, presented the town with a replica of the original Declaration of Independence. The document was accepted for the town by Selectboard Chair Deborah Poodry.
Saunders said the replica is a reprinting of the Ezekiel Russell Declaration of Independence as printed in Salem in July 1776, less than two weeks after the Declaration’s approval in Philadelphia, and later distributed for public reading throughout the Commonwealth. It was produced on a historically accurate press on a linen/cotton paper, similar to those printed in 1776.
The town’s annual Fourth of July Parade on Saturday included a parade, part of which was a fire truck purchased by the Athol Orange Rotary Club that will be donated to the town of Ayutla in Jalisco, Mexio in September. GREG VINE / For the Athol Daily News 
Margo Petrocone, a member of the board of directors of the New England Equestrian Center of Athol, aboard her horse Star in the Petersham Fourth of July Parade on Saturday. GREG VINE / For the Athol Daily News 
Dylan Barnes sits with his daughter Hailey, 2, to watch the parade. GREG VINE / For the Athol Daily News 
Co-Grand Marshals Anne Gobi, state Director of Rural Affairs, and state Rep. Aaron Saunders ride in the back seat of a classic Cadillac driven by Jim Berry during the Petersham Fourth of July Parade on Saturday. GREG VINE / For the Athol Daily News 
People line up for the first Annual Pancake Breakfast of the Petersham Firefighters Association, which preceded the Fourth of July parade. GREG VINE / For the Athol Daily News 
State Rep. Aaron Saunders presents Petersham Selectboard Chair Deborah Poody with a replica of the original Declaration of Independence. From left are Vivian Comeau, 6, Jason Comeau, 4, Petersham Historical Society President Barbara Hanno, Selectboard member Josh Chernin, Roslyn Saunders, 8, Aaron Saunders, Poodry, and Historical Society members Larry Buell and Ken Levine. GREG VINE / For the Athol Daily News 
Spectators at the Petersham Fourth of July Parade on Saturday. GREG VINE / For the Athol Daily News 
Classic cars were among the attractions in the Petersham Fourth of July Parade on Saturday. GREG VINE / For the Athol Daily News 
Drew Paton entertains from the bandstand on the Town Common. GREG VINE / For the Athol Daily News
Before the parade began, the Petersham Firefighters Association held its first Annual Pancake Breakfast. Around 125 people attended the event, which raised funds for the purchase of uniforms and equipment for the town’s firefighters, according to association Treasurer Becky Legare.
Among groups participating in the parade were the Petersham American Legion, New England Equestrian Center of Athol, Petersham Historical Society, Petersham and Phillipston fire departments, Petersham Lions Club, Athol Orange Rotary Club, the Petersham Brass Band, and participants driving a variety of classic vehicles. State Director of Rural Affairs Anne Gobi and state Rep. Saunder served as co-grand marshals.