‘Bristol is my family’

Camille Teixeira has spent much of her life enjoying, admiring and taking part in the nation’s oldest parade — now she gets to lead it

BY MANUEL C. “MANNY” CORREIRA

The one thing you have to realize about Camille Teixeira is that she’s not afraid to do whatever it takes to continue to make the Bristol Fourth of July Parade the hallmark event that it is each and every year.

Now in her second full year as chairman of the nation’s oldest, continuous Independence Day parade, Camille has prospered by having a group of dedicated volunteers work by her side every step of the way.

Last year, Camille earned an A-plus grade for putting together a parade of magnificent proportions.

“It was a challenge for me,” she admitted. “There are a lot of moving parts and details that you have to look at. But, it all came together beautifully.”

A Cyber Security Senior Risk Manager for the Citizens Financial Group, Camille has always loved being around parades.

“My favorite moment during my volunteering has been standing at the beginning of the parade route on the corner of Hope and Chestnut streets, the National Anthem being sung, the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the flyover, and being surrounded by military, veterans, police, fire, and paramedics,” she said in a previous interview. “It makes me reflect upon the great sacrifice that these individuals make to keep us safe.”

The daughter of Bristol Town Councilor and former Town Administrator Antonio Teixeira and his wife, Jackie Teixeira, Camille was

Bristol fortunate to be part of a family with a lot of Fourth of July tradition as part of its heritage.

“Camille, being the oldest of six children, has always taken charge with family events and supportive of all,” said her father. “She’s very focused, task oriented, reliable, and a hard worker. She’s become her own person, even though it’s too easy to say ‘you are Mr. Teixeira’s daughter.’ The entire family is very proud of her and her accomplish- ments.”

Tony Teixeira received Bristol’s highest honor when he was selected as Chief Marshal in 2012, and before that was the recipient of the Hattie Brown Award in 2009. Furthermore, Camille’s mother, Jackie, was runner-up in the Miss Fourth of July Contest in the early 1970s, and Camille herself was runner-up in the Miss Fourth Contest in 1992.

“I ran twice for Miss Fourth,”

Camille added, “and I was in the parade with my father when he was the Hattie Brown winner and Chief Marshal. So, you see, I’ve had a lot of parade experience. I admired everything about it.”

But Camille will certainly be the first to clarify that the Bristol Fourth of July Parade is a lot more than one single person. With dedicated committee members like Adam Palumbo, who handles the bands, and Jim Tavares in charge of the floats, among others, getting this great parade in motion is a giant task.

Like last year, Camille is serving under the leadership of general committee chairman Chuck MacDonough who himself was parade chairman in 2020 and 2021.

This year’s parade will have four divisions: Firemen’s, Military, Veterans, and Independent/Civic.

The parade, according to Ms. Teixeira, will also be televised by Cox Communications at the Reviewing Stand area on High Street. There will be a good number of quality bands, eye-catching floats and entertainment to appease everyone’s appetite.

Camille is obviously hoping for good weather, although this parade has gone on as scheduled in rainy conditions in past years. Last year, the weather was absolutely perfect and thousands gathered along the 2.5-mile parade route to watch the festivities.

With 10 years of Fourth of July Committee experience under her belt, Camille Teixeira looks forward to the challenge at hand.

“I’m young at heart,” she smiled. Coming from a big family (she also has three sisters and two brothers), you stay energetic. I’m really looking forward to another great parade this year.”

Camille Teixeira, now 48 years of age, believes in volunteering. That’s been a quality of hers for as long as anyone can remember.

“I have volunteered within my community for many years,” she said proudly. “The Bristol Fourth of July Parade has been near and dear to my heart since I was a kid. It is a Bristol tradition. Just as many families celebrate traditions, Bristol is my family, and this is our tradition of celebrating the oldest Fourth of July Celebration in the Nation.”

Camille Teixeira is the type of woman who isn’t afraid of working long, hard hours to reach her goals in life. The Bristol Fourth of July Parade is another prime example. She’s been a real asset to her family and community, and for that, we can all be thankful and proud.

2023 Freedom Rafe

Ana B Sounds

Thank You To Our Proud Patriotic Supporters

Ilidio Contente

Honorable Cindy Coyne

Wishing everyone a happy & safe 4th of July celebration. Enjoy the day!

Mr. & Mrs. Edward P. Stuart Jr Wishing Everyone a Happy, Healthy, & Safe 4th of July!

MaryAnn & Paul Salesi

Frank & Lisa Sienkiewicz

In loving memory of Nick & Mary Mascagna.

On this Fourth of July, let us remember the precious gift of freedom that we enjoy as Americans. Let us celebrate our independence and honor those who fought to secure it. May we always cherish the ideals of liberty, justice, and equality, and work together to uphold them for future generations. Happy Fourth of July! May we celebrate this day with joy, pride, and a renewed commitment to our great nation. God Bless America!

Betty and Joe Brito Congratulations to the Fourth of July Committee for your dedication

Chief Marshals 2011 and hard work!

Nicholas Puniello

Nancy Thompson & Raymond Soucy

Linda Ujifusa

Richard Herbert Devault

Ann-Marie Conklin

Gregory Specht

Paula Calandra

John W Card

Tracy Sweeney & Matthew Tucker

Ann-Marie Conklin

Best wishes for a great parade. All your hardwork pays of!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Have a happy and healthy 4th of July everyone.

Happy Fourth and thank you for all you do to make this celebration number one!

Ann Vedilago Happy 4th!

Sandra Andrade

John Andrade Insurance Agency, Inc. Happy Fourth Bristol!

Skip and Lori Castro

Lydia Serpa

Nerone Family

Richard Usher

Bennett and Charlotte Burnham

Rebekah Lodge

Ursillo, Teitz and Ritch, Ltd.

Gayle and Dudley Hallagan

Joseph and Julie Perroni

Roberta and Bob Andreozzi

Jay and Marj McBride

Madeline Grimo

Paul and Paula Ferreira

Happy Birthday Manuel Januario, Chief Marshal 1985.

Congratulations Steven Contente! In memory of Russell Serpa, 220th Chief Marshal.

In memory of Ann, Bo and Paul.

In memory of my beloved wife Betty

Love to Liza,Tom, Nick, Chelsea, Claire and Wesley.

Thank you - Bristol DPW, Bristol Fire and Bristol Police. Happy 4th!!!!

Celebrating 20 years of living in the town of Bristol. Happy 4th.

God Bless our Troops. Semper Paratus.

Happy 238th Fourth of July Celebration! Thank you Bristol and the 4th of July Committee.