Locals shine at Dot Day parade

“Mayor of Dorchester” Cam Charbonnier, Rep. Russell Holmes, Mayor Martin Walsh and parade Chief Marshal Mary-dith Tuitt pause in honor of veterans along the parade route in Fields Corner

No matter who you are, the Dorchester Day Parade — the annual celebratory walk down Dorchester Avenue — has something for you.

For the many residents along one of the neighborhood’s main arteries, it’s a chance to spend a sunny day outside with friends, cheering on parade marchers who represent the area’s significant cultural diversity — a point of pride for many.

For politicians and political hopefuls, it is a must-go event, a time to make sure every potential voter knows your face and associates it with friendliness and accessibility.

And for local businesses along the parade route, it’s the perfect opportunity to advertise free of cost.

This year was no different.

As local officials gathered at the parade’s head in Lower Mills, many emphasized the twin themes of unity and diversity when asked what the parade meant to them.

Councilor Tito Jackson described the day with a smile as “when the coolest part of the city comes together.”

He added, “It’s a historic day, a fun day of collaboration and strength. The connectivity of Dorchester really represents the bonds we have – the fun and uniqueness.”

For state Rep. Evandro Carvalho, it was a kind of walk down memory lane.

“When I first came to the United States [as a teenager], I lived off Dorchester Ave,” he said. “I saw Tom Menino in the parade.”

He said that for him, the parade was part of a bigger sense of citywide pride.

“Every year we come together – not only for Dorchester, but Roxbury and Mattapan too.” He noted he had recently attended the Haitian Unity parade, another popular annual celebration hosted in Mattapan.

Day for unity

The Dorchester parade also was a chance for political hopefuls to publicly throw their hat in the ring. Mary-ditt Tuitt, who this year was the parade Chief Marshal, told the Banner that she was “in conversations” about running for state representative.

Tuitt ran for state representative for the 12th Suffolk District in 2013, and for city councilor for District 3 in 2011.

She noted that this year’s parade also held personal meaning.

“[This is] an opportunity to be the second female, and first black female as the Chief Marshal for the parade,” she said, noting that she especially was excited to walk in honor of veterans, as she is one. She said these milestones were especially important on “a day all about unity.”

These cultural aspects were on display with the diverse groups marching down the street, many of them annual staples – men in Irish kilts playing bagpipes, a myriad of dance troupes including Estrellas Tropicales and Dynasty Production, and a long line of Vietnamese American civic organizations on foot and on floats – including one draped in a sign proclaiming “Thank you America!” underneath a prop of a mini-military helicopter.

This year also included a new addition — Boston 2024, the group behind the city’s Olympic bid that continues to face an uphill battle to convince Bostonians of the merits of hosting the games here nine years down the road.

A handful of members of the group marched with a Boston 2024 sign, flanked by young girls from the Dorchester Eagles Pop Warner cheerleader team. The girls chanted from their team repertoire as they escorted the group down Dot Ave.

The Banner asked Boston2024 how they chose the Pop Warner group to walk with them, as well as how the group conducted multi-lingual outreach for the “I believe in Boston 2024” signs that dotted the parade route, as previously reported by the Dorchester Reporter.

Boston 2024 spokesperson David Wedge did not specifically respond to those questions, but did provide a statement similar to the one from the Dorchester Reporter story: “We are partnering with many youth sports programs and having conversations across the city and the commonwealth on the tremendous legacy a 2024 Games could leave for neighborhoods and communities. We are appreciative of all the support we are receiving up and down Dorchester Avenue and beyond.”

Best day for business

It also was a ripe opportunity for local businesses to expand their customer base. Boston Eyeworks, near the intersection with Centre Street, offered free eye exams and a twenty percent discount on any purchase.

A few doors down, the manager of O’Brien’s Market and Deli said that business was good.

“Our sales are almost twice as much as a normal Sunday,” said manager Mahadi Hasan, adding that the biggest sellers that day were drinks and candy.

Field’s Corner bar Blarney Stone took advantage of the balmy weather by opening up its entire storefront so patrons could sip beers while enjoying the passing parade. That made for easy passage when Mayor Martin Walsh stopped by to greet the patrons and someone passed their baby to him for a photo.

Nearby, Dot Café employees sold baked goods on the sidewalk. The café, which opened in January under owner Steve Nguyen, is the new incarnation of what once was the longstanding Dippin Donuts shop.

As they marched, elected officials received a hearty welcome from onlookers, especially the Mayor, who was greeted by many residents with excited cheers of “Marty!”

He, like most politicians in the parade, zig-zagged back and forth across the street to greet people, give high-fives to kids and pose for photographs when asked.

Police Commissioner William B. Evans marched nearby, close to Walsh and Rep. Russell Holmes. Although he did not approach people for photos, he received a fair amount of vocal support from residents as he walked past, many of whom shouted various versions of ‘thank you.’

Prominently featured local resident Cam Charbonnier, deemed the “Mayor of Dorchester” for having raised the most funds for the parade in a competition — about $16,000. The 21-year old is one of the mayor’s advance staffers.

Whether onlookers came to see the sights, cheer on a neighbor in the parade, or simply spend time with friends, one of the best parts of the celebration for many was likely the fact that after a hellish winter, the sun stayed out all day.