BEVERLY — The ‘horrible’ is back in the Beverly Farms Horribles Parade.
A year after parade organizers removed ‘horribles’ from the name in an effort to tamp down on controversial floats, the description was added back this year — and so was the controversy.
A float in Thursday’s parade called “A League of They Own” mocked transgender athletes and transgender people in general, including signs that read, “You can’t swim with me, unless you sit down to pee,” and “Are those just rumours, or are our schools full of groomers?” Other signs on the float were too vulgar to include in this story.
Mayor Mike Cahill, who marched in the parade, called the float “inappropriate and offensive.” He said he did not see the float, which was toward the back of the parade, and if he had he would not have marched. Cahill was provided photos and video of the float by The Salem News after the parade.
“That messaging is never OK about anybody,” Cahill said. “I’m frustrated that-that ended up in the parade. It’s targeting people for who they are that’s just plain wrong at every level.”
The Beverly Farms Horribles Parade dates back to the 1880s and features floats, costumes and signs satirizing current events. Cahill and other city officials have denounced the parade in the past for its content, including racist and sexist material.
Cahill refused to walk in the parade for several years because of the content. He said he did walk last year after organizers promised to tone down or remove any offensive floats.
“I know the parade committee has worked really hard to put on a parade that’s appropriate,” Cahill said. “You saw a lot of people enjoying it. There were kids riding on decorated bikes and there were some funny floats. There was a lot of good there. But that float was inappropriate and offensive. Transgender people are our friends and neighbors and transgender people in this community need to know that they’re safe and valued and welcomed.
“I just wish that people had more grace and compassion,” Cahill added. “That kind of language is small-minded and offensive. It’s just frustrating that this stuff gets put out there.”
Raeann Downey, the president of the Beverly Farms/Prides Crossing Fourth of July Committee, said the float should not have been allowed in the parade.
Downey said she did not see the float until after the parade started. She said it is up to the five parade judges to look at the floats before the parade and decide if they can participate.
“It was not removed and it should have been,” Downey said.
Downey said another float, one that included personal attacks on three of the Fourth of July Committee members, including her, also should have been removed. She said that float reflects a division among the volunteer organizers about how the parade should be run and what kind of floats should be allowed.
“It’s personality clashes, that’s all it is,” Downey said. “We had a lot of problems this year but it is the Fourth of July. We’re trying to play nice in the sand but not everybody is. Regardless of what people think, this committee is hard-working 11 of 12 months out of the year to bring a good parade.”
“I’m from New England,” added Downey, who grew up in Beverly Farms and has helped organize the Fourth of July events for more than 30 years. “I have broad shoulders.”
Supporters say the controversial floats make up only one part of the parade, which also includes marching bands, drum corps, kids on bikes, local politicians, and floats that make fun of tamer subjects.
Other topics this year included piping plovers, the condition of the city of Beverly’s streets, and the final season of “Wicked Geezah.” One float, titled “Donald 2024,” urged people to vote for Donald Duck. Another, labeled “The Crack Party,” took aim at Hunter Biden.
Gary Stetson, the owner of the Farms Full Service station who was chosen as the parade’s grand marshal, said the parade is a “lifelong tradition” for many Farms residents.
“The sense of pride is amazing,” said Stetson, who lives in Beverly but not in the Farms.
Stetson drove in the parade in his 1935 red Chevy, with his three young grandsons packed in with him and gleefully pressing on the horn.
“I look around and a lot of these people are my customers and my friends,” Stetson said. “They say you’re not a Farmer unless you were born and raised here. But I feel like a Farmer today for sure.”
Neil Stanton, who lives in Beverly Farms, said he thought the floats were funny, particularly the one that promoted Donald Duck for president and another that chided Marbleheaders for opposing leaf blowers.
Nancy Bourque, who lives in Ryal Side, called many of the floats “hysterical,” while acknowledging, “You kind of go in blushing almost.”
“You’ve got to come with an open mind, a good sense of humor and expect anything,” Bourque said.
Staff Writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2535, by email at pleighton@salemnews.com, or on Twitter at @heardinbeverly.