Athol celebrates 250th with parade

ATHOL, Mass. (WWLP) - The residents of Athol displayed the pride they have in their town as thousands attended Athol's 250th anniversary parade.

This town of 12,000, at the far western end of Worcester County bordering Franklin County, has much to be proud of.

Thousands lined the parade route through the center of town.

They saluted their veterans and veterans’ organizations, welcomed the famed Budweiser Clydesdales, and were proud to tell 22News why their town deserved this stirring 250th anniversary tribute. 

William Grant, a lifelong resident of Athol, said, “Well, it's been a wonderful town to grow up in and raise children. In a small town with a small town personality. ”

Joan Gates, another resident of Athol, added, “It's fascinating. 250 years! It is lovely to see all the people, when you think of all the volunteers, the money and the time; that's what a small town is all about.”

Symbols of pride in their town were everywhere along the parade route.

Some people told 22News, they had moved from larger, less stable communities and they're glad to have made that move, and came to feel like natives.                                                  

The 3 hour parade attracted thousands of people, many from neighboring Franklin County communities.

As one longtime resident of Athol remarked, it's time now to look ahead to the town's next 250 years.