The Roxbury Unity Parade is focused on pride and bringing neighbors together after COVID-19’s long separation

The coronavirus pandemic shut down parades and celebratory events across Boston last year — but not the Roxbury Unity Parade. 

Adapted for COVID-19 restrictions and measures to prevent spread of the virus, the parade went on, modified as a car caravan.

And while she is proud that the celebration of Roxbury persevered when so many others were halted, Toy Burton, founder of the parade, is excited for the event to return to its normal setup on Sunday, July 18th. 

“It feels awesome, it feels awesome,” she told Boston.com. “I can’t wait to be in community with everyone.”

Burton decided to launch the Roxbury Unity Parade in 2018 after the neighborhood experienced a surge in violence during the summer. 

Her hope was to provide a space for healing and positivity. 

“It was to give the residents a sense of pride of who we are and where we come from and to highlight the good that happens in Roxbury,” she said. 

She also aimed for the event to bring tourism into the neighborhood, by providing a celebration that would draw people to Roxbury from Downtown and elsewhere in the city. 

Other than the procession itself, the Roxbury Unity Parade features other celebrations of the neighborhood, including an award ceremony where individuals are recognized for their service to the community, a block party, and an empowerment fair. 

On Sunday, the Roxbury Unity Parade block party kicks off at 10 a.m., lasting until the opening ceremony for the parade begins at Madison Park High School at 12 p.m. Acting Mayor Kim Janey is expected to speak at the ceremony when the community awards are given out before the parade kicks off, heading down Malcolm X Boulevard to Malcolm X Park. 

In the park, the Roxbury Unity Parade HoodFest and Empowerment Fair (which runs from 12-4 p.m.) will be waiting for parade participants. The celebration in the park will feature live music, and local organizations will have tables, sharing their resources and services with the community.

After the last year and a half everyone has experienced with COVID-19, Burton said this year she’s hoping everyone attending the parade will come away with a sense of pride. 

“Roxbury comes from strong roots and we are a proud people,” she said. “We promote peace and that’s why unity is in the name, and we just want the community to come together and have a nice time and get to know their neighbors.”