CHATHAM – A World War II veteran, 102-year-old John Zippo, will be the grand marshal in the town’s Independence Day parade.

 The theme of this year’s July 4 parade is “Anchored in Freedom: Timeless Tides and Traditions,” reflecting the nation’s 250th anniversary. The parade begins at 9 a.m. at the corner of Main Street and Shore Road, winding through downtown, turning on Crowell Road and ending at Lake Street.

 Zippo, thought to be the town’s oldest veteran, will lead the parade in the traditional vintage convertible. A member of the Army’s First Infantry Division in Germany, he served as a guard during the Nuremberg trials, standing watch on infamous prisoners such as Hermann Goering. 

 This year’s parade begins a half hour earlier than previous parades. New parking restrictions are also in place, prohibiting vehicles from Main Street beginning at 2 a.m. In previous years, vehicles could park along the north side of the street, but the select board agreed to ban all parking to provide more viewing space for what is expected to be a larger than usual crowd, given the sesquicentennial and the Saturday date.

 To accommodate seniors and those with mobility issues, a special accessible viewing area has been set aside this year at the public works department on Crowell Road. Space is limited, so those expecting to utilize the area are asked to register by June 26 by calling 508-945-1886.

 The parade lineup has been posted by the Independence Day parade committee, and participants are being advised to attend one of two parade packet pickup events, on Friday, June 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., both at the police department on George Ryder Road. The packets provide participants with parade rules and FAQs and streamline the check-in process on the day of the event, according to the committee.

 CHATHAM – Barring rain, a “fireworks spectacular” will light up Veterans Field next Thursday, July 2.

Sponsored by the Chatham Athletics Association, the evening will begin with kids’ activities at 7 p.m., followed by a performance of patriotic music by Sgt. Dan Clark, “The Singing Trooper,” at 8 p.m. Fireworks follow around 9 p.m.

 New viewing restrictions are in place this year. Areas around the fire station and Veterans Field will be restricted, with crowds allowed around the playground, little league field and lawn of the community center as well as on some of the field bleachers and behind the elementary school and fire station. Depot Road will close to vehicles at 7 p.m. and to pedestrians at 8 p.m. Hitching Post Road will be closed south of Old Academy Road after the elementary school parking lot is full.