About Northampton Neighbors

 

What’s It All About?

There are parades…and then there’s Northampton Neighbors’ DoozyDo Parade. Inspired by Pasadena’s Doo-Dah Parade, a zany alternative to the traditional Rose Bowl Parade, this Fall’s DoozyDo Parade will put the fun in fundraiser with a joyful, inclusive, unconventional celebration in–and of–the City of Northampton. Like the Hot Chocolate Run and Monte’s March, the DoozyDo Parade is an opportunity to come together for a compelling cause. It will raise awareness and financial support for Northampton Neighbors, a volunteer-based organization providing free programs and services so that older adults can live independent, engaged lives in our homes and communities.

 

The parade features groups (teams) of participants of all ages, as well as bands, floats, antique cars, and representatives from local nonprofits and businesses—all celebrating together. 

Support for Northampton Neighbors is generated through donations from business sponsors, along with contributions from individuals and teams marching in the parade.

Northampton Neighbors’ DoozyDo Parade will:

• Raise funds to help Northampton Neighbors continue providing free services, programs, and events for older adults in our community
• Increase awareness about Northampton Neighbors 
• Foster connections between generations and between neighbors and neighborhoods
• Challenge negative stereotypes about older people
• Strengthen existing community ties and create new ones
• Develop a joyful recurring cultural event to the city we love

Event Day Details

• When: Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 11am, rain or shine!
• Location: Downtown Northampton, MA. The parade will begin outdoors at 33 Hawley Street and end in Pulaski Park.
• End Time: Between 12 – 1PM

DoozyDo Grand-ish Marshals

Monte Belmonte
Monte Belmonte is host and executive producer of New England Public Media’s The Fabulous 413. Before that, for 17 years, he was the host of Mornings with Monte on The River 93.9/WRSI. “Monte’s March,” his annual pre-Thanksgiving trek on foot (with shopping cart) from Greenfield to Springfield has raised awareness and millions of dollars for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. He is married with three children and lives in turners Falls, MA.

Kelsey Flynn
Kelsey is an improviser and stand-up comic who’s performed all over the Pioneer Valley and beyond. She’s laughed with audiences at a former Chinese restaurant in Hadley, Caroline’s on Broadway, and many an American Legion in between. Kelsey also teaches stand-up/storytelling at Happier Valley Comedy and runs an open mic there on the third Friday of every month. Sometimes, you can still hear her on 93.9 the River, WRSI-FM. She lives with her wife and two kids in Northampton.

Dennis Lee
Dennis Lee has been around a microphone since 1966.  For 23 years he helped wake the community up with morning radio in Northampton. Mrs. Lee’s son Dennis is a DH-a designated ham who loves parades.

See what people who attended the parade last year had to say about it: 

“This is the greatest event of the year!”
  ~ Jim Nash, City Councilor, Ward 3

“The Doozy Do Parade on Saturday was one of the most joyous things I’ve seen downtown in forever!  …the costumes, floats and variety of participants were amazing, the weather spectacular… it was a wonderful community event.”                                                                  ∼Amy Cahillane, Executive Director, Downtown Northampton Association

“I was part of the parade this year and it was so much fun! I’ll definitely be helping out again next year.”                       
∼Ella Elliott, 24 years old, parade volunteer

 “Iris and I had a blast, thanks for inviting us.  …The DoozyDo Parade is a great event.”                                         
∼  Thomas Liimatainen drove his 1927 Model T Roadster in the parade

The Lineup (so far)

• The parade’s Grand-ish Marshals Kelsey Flynn, Monte Belmonte and valley voice Dennis Lee
• Miguel & Andres AfroFusion
• All Out Adventures
• Art in Motion Dance School
• A2Z YoYo School
• Been Around, Still Around flashmob dance group
• Bright Spot Therapy Dogs
• Cancer Connection
• Christopher Heights Under the Sea
• The Expandable Brass Band
• Five-College Learning in Retirement
• Forbes Library’s Forbes for All
• Girls, Inc.
• Highland Valley Elder Services
• Historic Northampton
• Lathrop Community
• Lord Russ as Elvis/Green Groomers
• Sgt. Rory McLean with Susan & Elizabeth Blanchette, bagpipers & drums
• The Mighty Methuselahs: Young@Heart’s members over 90 years old
• Mountain River Taiko Drummers
• Noah’s Ark (a 90+-year-old fire engine), plus a caravan of vintage and unusual cars and hot-rods, including 1927 Model T Roadster, ’51 Hudson convertible, ’58 Edsel, and a 1960s-era Northampton police cruiser!
• Nonotuck Resource Associates
• Members of the Northampton City Council as The City Clowncil
• Northampton Girl Scout Troops 11597 & 65343
• Northampton Neighbors members
  
  • NN Book Groups
  • NNs’ Food Interest Group The FIGs
  • NN Friendly Contact Bridge Group
  • NN Garden Group
  • NN Monday Hiking Group
  • NN Speaker Series
  • NNs’ Trash Walkers
• The Northampton High School Band
• The Northampton School Committee’s Children First
• Northampton Senior Center/Friends of the Senior Center/Council on Aging
• The Northampton YMCA
• Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion School
• Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity
• Pioneer Valley Puppet Company
• The Parlor Room and the Myrtle Street Klezmer Band
• The S-Heroes
• Ward 3 Neighborhood Association + Walking School Bus drivers
  
  • … And you? (We invite you to join the parade!)

The DoozyDo Parade is fully supported by The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce.

Important: All teams are kid-friendly and apolitical, as judged by the parade organizers, because, like Northampton Neighbors itself, we want everyone to feel welcome at the DoozyDo Parade, whether they are parading down the street or watching from the sidewalks.

Come for the Parade. Stay for the cause.

About Northampton Neighbors
Northampton Neighbors was founded to help each other maintain independence, dignity, and joy over time as we age—and engage—in place. We provide services and support for older adults in our community as well as opportunities to connect and share through programs and events. Membership is 100% fee-free, and we welcome people of all ages. Learn More