If we had to summarize this year's Wellesley Wonderful Weekend in one sentence, it would be: "Parade in the morning, picnic in the evening, fireworks at night—and free pizza in between!" 😄
As part of the celebration of America's 250th Anniversary, Wellesley Wonderful Weekend once again brought together thousands of residents for one of the town's most beloved traditions. WECAN (Wellesley Chinese American Network) was proud to be part of the festivities, adding a touch of Chinese culture, community spirit, and plenty of smiles along the way.
🎉 The Parade's Biggest Stars? Our Kids!
More than 30 participants—including Chinese residents, WECAN representatives, Chinese school teachers, parents, and students—joined this year's community parade. And without question, the biggest crowd-pleasers were the children.
Marching proudly through town, they handed out candy and balloons to spectators while showcasing martial arts and dance performances that drew enthusiastic applause along the parade route. The smiles were contagious.
A special shout-out also goes to our volunteer Fei Ge, who generously supplied plenty of bottled water to keep everyone refreshed throughout the parade.
🌳 Hunnewell Field: It Felt Like the Entire Town Showed Up
After the parade, families gathered at Hunnewell Field, where the real community celebration began. The first challenge? Finding a parking spot. The second? Trying to count how many people were there.
The field was packed with families enjoying live music, inflatable bounce houses, food vendors, local businesses, petting animals, pony rides, children's activities, and endless entertainment.
Everywhere you looked, families had spread out picnic blankets and lawn chairs. Children were running around with friends, dogs were enjoying the attention, and neighbors were catching up over food and laughter. It was community at its best. No strangers—just friends we hadn't met yet.
🍕 WECAN's Pizza Party Becomes the Hottest Spot on the Field
One of the highlights of the day was WECAN's Community Pizza Party. Exactly 100 community members registered, making it one of the most well-attended WECAN gatherings in recent memory.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Principal Cui of American Education and Thinking Academy for generously sponsoring this community event and helping make it possible.
Preparing for 100 hungry attendees was no small task. Shengli and Jacky personally made a Costco run and returned with 20 giant pizzas. When the two heroes pushed their heavily loaded cart across the field, stacked high with pizza boxes, it quickly became a spectacle of its own.
The setup near the fireworks viewing area soon attracted attention for another reason: it was the only place at the event giving away free food. Needless to say, people noticed. Lots of people noticed.
Xiaowen took charge of pizza distribution, ensuring everyone received a hot slice and a warm welcome. As families gathered around, conversations naturally started: "Who are you guys?" "What is WECAN?" "How can we join?" "Where's the QR code?"
Throughout the evening, many residents scanned the QR code and joined the WECAN community WeChat groups. Several families expressed interest in becoming involved with future activities, and some even offered sponsorship support on the spot.
Perhaps the most rewarding feedback came from residents of neighboring towns who said they wished they had a community organization like WECAN where they lived. A few parents even joked: "Maybe we should move to Wellesley!"
At that moment, the pizza represented much more than food. It became a symbol of hospitality, belonging, and community connection. And kindness, as it turns out, has a way of attracting more kindness.
🎆 A Spectacular Fireworks Finale
Around 9:00 PM, darkness settled over the field and anticipation filled the air. Then the fireworks began. And they did not disappoint.
Brilliant colors exploded across the night sky, one breathtaking display after another. Children cheered. Parents lifted their phones to capture the moment. The crowd applauded throughout the show as dazzling bursts illuminated the evening sky. It was the perfect ending to a day filled with friendship, celebration, and community pride.
❤️ The Best Part of the Weekend Was the People
Wonderful Weekend is known for its parade, music, food, and fireworks. But what makes it truly special are the people. The volunteers who quietly make everything happen. The families who come together. The children who create joyful memories. The neighbors who become friends. And the countless small acts of kindness that strengthen our community.
We would like to thank all of the families, volunteers, Chinese School teachers and students, sponsors, and community partners who participated and supported this year's event. Most importantly, thank you to every resident who stopped by, shared a conversation, enjoyed a slice of pizza, joined our community, or simply helped make the day a little brighter.
Because of you, WECAN continues to grow as a welcoming, vibrant, and connected community for Chinese Americans and all our neighbors. The fireworks may be over, but the spirit of community remains. We look forward to seeing everyone again at our next WECAN event!
