Dorchester Day is still seven months away, but the committee that makes the annual celebration the grand event it has always been is already hard at work with planning efforts and some new elements on tap, said Brianne Gore, who leads the panel’s executive board.
“Band Man has been our mascot for many wonderful years, and we’re very grateful to Michael Mackan, who designed him many years ago,” she said. “I know I’ll always keep wearing my Band Man pins on Dot Day, but for the 2026 parade, we’re looking for a new Dorchester parade logo.
“We are actually having an art contest encouraging residents to think about what Dorchester means to them,” she noted, “and then, based on that meaning, creating a design that just reflects their vision. We will unveil the winner on parade day, so we hope to have either swag or something new that shows what we’ve chosen for our new logo,” said Gore.
Those interested in participating in the logo contest can do so by emailing dorchesterdayparade@gmail.com. Submissions are due by April 1.
The annual Mayor of Dorchester contest — a key fundraising tool for the committee— will once again field candidates, with a newcomer race lined up behind it, said Gore: “We’re looking for a Dorchester kid to become the next Junior Mayor of Dot, which is the same as the Mayor of Dorchester contest, except this one is for kids and teens up to age 17.”
“The parade is all about community and pride and celebrating the place that we all call home,” said Gore. Our young people are a really big part of this mission, so this year we really were trying to work to create more opportunities for kids to be a part of Dot Day.”
Contestants interested in running can reach out to the parade committee via email. They will then be responsible for raising funds that go directly into the parade budget.
“There will be three top winners,” Gore explained. “All three will receive gift cards to different local Dorchester establishments, but whichever candidate raises the most money will be named the Dorchester MVP Junior.”
The parade will be held on June 7 next year.
More information about the new contests will soon be shared online and on the parade’s Instagram account.
