Brookside Parade Draws Crowds And Kudos, Still in the Red

One of the benchmarks used to represent the success of the annual Brookside Fourth of July Parade is the amount of food served, and according to former mayor and current rotary club president Frank Cioppettini, for the first time they actually ran out of food.

“We are responsible for serving all of the hamburgers and the hot dogs and for the first time we ran out,” Cioppettini said. 

Resident Norman Preston said that his most important job of the day, securing his wife a hot dog, he failed to complete because they ran out.

"But I greatly enjoyed it." Preston said.

Cioppetinni spoke to the Mendham Township Committee on Monday, to share his praise for the annual event.

“I appear before you as the president of the Rotary Club of the Mendhams and they wanted to convey what a fantastic job was done this year on the parade.,” Cioppettini said. “This year was phenomenal. Our club would like to point out the work of two volunteers in particular, Cecelia Donato and Evan Thomas. We would like the community to know they did such a great job.”

According to Cioppettini, the praise extended beyond the Brookside borders.

“We had a number of comments from people outside our town tell us it was the best parade they had ever been to,” Cioppettini said.

This year’s parade, Brookside is Jersey Strong, was down over $10,000 heading into the event, and they still hadn’t reached the break-even point, according to Deputy Mayor Maribeth Thomas.

“They still are in need of a little bit of money,” Thomas said.

Those interested in donating can mail checks to Rosie Flood 12 Washington Valley Road Morristown, NJ 07960.

“They also have a website you can go on to and donate,” Thomas said. “I think it is the best day in the town. The parade was great.”

Cioppettini said that the volunteers in Mendham Township are what make the town special, a sentiment Merkt agreed with.

“We get so much out of people who are willing to extend themselves,” Merkt said.