Stoneham Marks 300th Birthday With Mile-Long Parade and 200-Drone Show

STONEHAM — October 4, 2025 — Stoneham celebrated its 300th anniversary Saturday with a mile-and-a-half parade down Main Street and a 200-drone evening light show over the Town Common. The October 4 event, broadcast live on Stoneham TV by hosts Dennis O'Hara and Ron Zampel from a reviewing stand at Northern Bank, began at 3:30 p.m. at Stoneham High School and drew fire departments from Wakefield, Chelsea, Medford, Revere, and Somerville alongside Stoneham's own four engines led by Fire Chief Matt Grafton. Select Board Chair Tim Wecovich and Selectman Ryan Foreman rode in the procession, as did State Representative Mike Day and State Auditor Diana DiZoglio. Stoneham Bank served as the top-tier "GOAT sponsor," and the Baltimore Twirlwriters, a youth marching band from Baltimore City, traveled overnight on two buses to perform. The 300th Anniversary Committee, led by members including Jim McLaughlin Jr., Dolly Wilson, and Maureen Buckley, organized the multi-year effort; the evening drone show, chosen over fireworks because it could fly rain or shine, launched from Recreation Park with approximately 200 drones.