Grafton Launches Parade Sign-Ups, Thursday Brings Four Board Meetings
The town's annual Fourth of July Parade is taking shape, with organizers inviting families to join the festivities — including a "Doggy Mayor" contest and a free bike-decorating station at North Street Elementary — while a packed slate of board meetings Thursday will keep Town Hall busy through the evening.
TOWN HALL
The town is drumming up participation for this year's July 4 Parade, promising food, music, and floats in the tradition of last year's celebration. Residents who want to decorate their bikes can show up at North Street Elementary School at the starting point, where free red, white, and blue decorations will be available. Dog owners get their own moment in the spotlight: the Doggy Mayor competition invites four-legged family members to compete for the honorary title during the July 4 celebrations.
Thursday, June 25 brings a full evening of public meetings: the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Finance Committee Appointment Committee, and the Finance Committee itself are all scheduled to convene. The Board of Health follows on Monday, June 29.
SCHOOLS
Grafton Public Schools is posting summer logistics for families ahead of the new school year. Incoming sixth-graders can pick up their Chromebooks over the summer, and new Grafton High School students along with all ninth-graders have iPad deployment sessions scheduled. The district has also flagged ongoing capital facilities work — a roof assessment and timeline for Grafton Middle School are posted on the district site for public review. Summer Enrichment programming is also open, offering hands-on learning, artistic expression, and STEAM activities for students. Superintendent Dr. James Cummings leads the district at 30 Providence Road.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Grafton Public Library's Strategic Planning Committee is forming now, and the library is asking for community members to get involved as it charts its next long-range direction. The library is also running the Massachusetts Center for the Book 2026 Reading Challenge through the end of June. Drop-in Cribbage continues every Friday at the library at 35 Grafton Common — no registration required.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Worcester County Sobriety Checkpoint Planned This Weekend" — Law enforcement plans to run a sobriety checkpoint somewhere in Worcester County this weekend, per Grafton Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton)
"What SNAP Ruling Means For Food Aid Benefits In Massachusetts" — A recent court decision has put on hold a planned ban on using federal food assistance for candy and sugary drinks across more than 20 states, including Massachusetts, according to Grafton Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/grafton)
COMING UP
- **Thursday, June 26** — Bancroft School Virtual Admissions Office Pop-In (via Grafton Patch calendar) - **Friday, June 27** — Drop-in Cribbage, Grafton Public Library, 35 Grafton Common - **Saturday, June 27** — 3rd Annual Pride at The Park (regional event on Grafton Patch calendar) - **Monday, June 29** — Board of Health Meeting, Town Hall - **July 4** — Annual Fourth of July Parade, starting at North Street Elementary School; Doggy Mayor competition