The Roberto Clemente Dancers delighted the parade-goers in front of Dorchester Park. Chris Lovett photo
The 120th installment of the Dorchester Day Parade kicked off around 1:20 p.m. on Sunday with more than 90 entries and an all-encompassing community vibe that brought the neighborhood together from Lower Mills to Columbia Road.
From a BBQ on the lawn of St. Mark’s Church to the vibrating music of the baton teams to little Hudson Doyle’s first glimpses of a parade (below), the afternoon was full of excitement and music and community entries in three divisions that lasted two hours.
Eric Doyle and his son, Hudson. Seth Daniel photo
Neighborhood pals took in the parade from Lower Mills: (l-r): Nova Czerweinski, Julie Deveney, Leigh Feeney, and George Deveney, Jr.
Sitting on her Dorchester Avenue porch with a neighbor, Eileen Adams noted that she grew up in her home and used to have packs of people on Dorchester Day at the house, but now she just hosts her neighbor on the steps.
When asked how many Parades she has seen, she only revealed, “Quite a few.” But she did point to a third-floor window and noted, “I used to hang out of that window and watch them go by.”
One of the more exciting side-celebrations was a pig roast done by Paul Murphy on Centre Street. Several Parade-goers in the area donned T-shirts that read, “I survived the Murphy Pig Roast – Dorchester Day 2026” as mementos of the occasion.
Chief Marshal Richard Dobbyn, center, joined Mayoral liaison Anthony Nguyen, Mayor Michelle Wu, his granddaughter, Ceremonial Dorchester Mayor Katie Nolan, and mayoral liaison Madison Foley in laying the wreath to veterans at the Fields Corner memorial. Seth Daniel photo
Leading the parade this year were Mayor Michelle Wu and Chief Marshal Richard Dobbyn, a life-long Dorchester resident who served as a US Marine in Vietnam. Nearby on a large flatbed float was honorary 2026 Mayor of Dorchester Katie Nolan, who brought a massive crew of “constituents” with her along the route.
Dobbyn described his day as Chief Marshal as “one of the greatest days I’ve had in a long time,” and note that he and his family had so much fun.
Not to be missed were Little Miss Dorchester Teagan Pierce and Young Miss Dorchester Zosia Janicki, who handed out candy to kids along the Parade route. Seth Daniel photo
Several elected officials were present, as were organizations with great energy including Boston Little Saigon, the Cape Verdean Association of Boston, Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester, and the stellar Estrella Tropicales dance team.
Boston Little Saigon paused in front of their headquarters with a tremendous float celebrating multi-generational families in the community. Seth Daniel photo
Dorchester Mayor Katie Nolan, center, with “constituents” Susan Smith, Nancy Farrow, and Laura Farrow. Seth Daniel photo
One of the dancers from the Roberto Clemente Dancers in Fields Corner. Seth Daniel photo
The Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester marched up Dorchester Avenue. Seth Daniel photo
Estrella Tropicales captain Nylah Randolph led their baton dance group in Fields Corner. Seth Daniel photo
The students of Saint John Paul II Catholic Academy proudly displayed the school’s rich multi-cultural composition that reflects the neighborhood itself. Chris Lovett photo
