 The first weekend in May has traditionally been reserved to celebrate the emergence of spring here in Quincy. The city’s ornamental trees are in full bloom, flower beds are popping with color, birds sing, bees and butterflies dance above the green grass and flowers, and people are coming out of hibernation to enjoy the outdoors. For 50 years, Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce has brought our community together during the annual Dogwood Parade. Hundreds of local businesses and organizations sign up to participate while thousands of people line the sidewalks of Maine Street to enjoy the atmosphere, the abundance of architectural treasures and the company of their families and neighbors. More recently, Lincoln in the District Festival would be happening on the square along with The District’s Farmers Market and many businesses and restaurants open to serve patrons. The Quincy Park District would also have the city’s numerous parks open for everyone to enjoy. Let’s not forget the local museums and historic sites that would typically be open for people to discover and explore local heritage. Although 2020 has brought an unprecedented disruption to daily life to the entire world, these time honored traditions are something that must be commemorated. The show must go on! Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Great River Economic Development Foundation and The District are holding a new kind of Dogwood Parade this Saturday, May 2 in honor of our healthcare workers on the frontlines: Honk for Healthcare Workers Cruise!  Tune in to Y101 (100.9 FM) at 8:20 am for a live broadcast of the event from the Oakley-Lindsay Center (OLC). The parade is open to the public and the line-up begins at 8:45 am in the OLC parking lot. The cruise will kick off at 8:55 am with a ribbon-cutting. At 9 am, Quincy Police Department will lead the convoy through the Gem City.
Participants are welcome to decorate their vehicles beforehand and must stay in their vehicles to maintain social distancing requirements. The cruise route will travel from Fourth Street, east on Broadway, south on 48th Street, and then west on Maine Street where participants will drive down the traditional Dogwood Parade route and see the beautiful trees in bloom. At 10 am, WGEM will broadcast a salute to previous Dogwood festivities, Your Favorite Moments. At 11 am, various businesses will have specials in honor of our annual dogwood celebration. Visit quincychamber.org for more information. The parade's original theme was Count Me In (don't forget to fill out the census at 2020census.gov). Even if you are not able to participate in the cruise, perhaps you can make new memories of Dogwood Weekend when you step outside to enjoy the beauty of spring, take a walk down Maine Street, or drive throughout Quincy to see the dogwood trees and its blossoms. The organizers encourage you to shop at local businesses using safe measures including online ordering, delivery services, curbside pickup and other options. See a list of Chamber members at quincychamber.org.
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