At Boston Budget Plumbing, Cooling & Heating, we believe in showing up for our community.

This year, we did just that by proudly marching in the 2025 Dorchester Day Parade, right here in our hometown of Dorchester, Massachusetts. With smiling families, two of our bright orange trucks, helpful giveaways, and our lovable mascot, Sparky the Service Otter, we proudly celebrated alongside our neighbors.

As a Dorchester-born business, we felt a strong pull to participate, not only because we believe in being visible, but because this is our community. As a local plumbing and HVAC company in Boston, our roots run deep. Our techs—both plumbing and HVAC—live right down the street, serving the same neighborhoods they call home. Our kids go to Dorchester schools. Our trucks drive these same roads every day. The Dorchester Day Parade was a chance to give back, say thank you, and show up as neighbors first and a business second.

In this blog, we’ll share what the Dorchester Day Parade is all about, what we brought to the event, and how Sparky helped us share important tips on plumbing, heating, and cooling with kids and families. We’ll also talk about how we support Dorchester all year long and how you can help decide where Sparky should go next.

What Is the Dorchester Day Parade and Why Does It Matter to Us as a Plumber in Boston and an HVAC Service Provider

The Dorchester Day Parade happens every year to celebrate the founding of Dorchester, one of Boston’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods. The 2025 Dorchester Day Parade took place on Sunday, June 1st, and followed its traditional route down Dorchester Avenue to Columbia Road.

It’s part of Dorchester Day, also known as Dot Day, a local tradition that brings people together to enjoy music, food, and community pride. The parade is a highlight, with local schools, small businesses, marching bands, sports teams, and neighbors walking or riding in colorful floats. As a proud plumber in Boston, taking part in this event was our way of honoring the community that supports us year-round.

We joined the Dorchester Day Parade because this is our home. Boston Budget was founded in Dorchester in 2013, and since then, we’ve built strong ties to the people and places here. Our team members live in Dorchester. We work with other local businesses. We shop, volunteer, and raise our families here.

Showing up at the Dorchester parade was our way of saying thank you. We wanted to be present, celebrate with our neighbors, and remind everyone that we’re more than a company that fixes pipes and HVAC systems. We are part of the Dorchester story.

Why Community Events Like This Matter to Boston Budget

Events like the Dorchester Day Parade give us a chance to step out from behind the tools and trucks and connect with people face-to-face.

At Boston Budget, we care deeply about the community. We’re not just here for emergency calls. We are here to educate, support, and uplift the people we serve. The parade gave us the perfect opportunity to do just that.

We took part to:

• Support local causes and events that make Dorchester stronger

• Help families learn more about plumbing, heating, and cooling in simple and fun ways

• Meet our customers in a setting that’s full of joy and community spirit

• Show that we’re proud of where we come from

Our team includes parents, pet lovers, and volunteers. When we walk in a parade with our children and neighbors, we build trust. That trust matters when someone needs help with their heating system in the winter or has a plumbing issue that needs urgent attention.

By being part of the Dorchester Day Parade, we helped turn a fun day into something that also helps keep families safe and informed. And that is what our mission is all about.

Sparky the Service Otter Steals the Show

If you were anywhere on Dorchester Avenue that Sunday, you probably saw him. Maybe you got a hug or a photo. Maybe your child is still talking about him.

Sparky the Service Otter, our brand-new mascot, made his debut at the 2025 Dorchester parade, and he was an instant hit.

Sparky is kid-friendly, approachable, and packed with personality; he represents more than just a fun costume. He’s the face of our commitment to educating and empowering families on the basics of plumbing, safety, and home care. Sparky’s first mission? Help children understand the importance of things like turning off the faucet, not flushing the wrong items, and recognizing when something isn’t working right.

Throughout the day, we saw dozens of children run up to Sparky for hugs, stickers, and selfies. Parents appreciated the thoughtful message behind it all. We saw smiles everywhere Sparky went. And that’s why he’s going to keep showing up around Dorchester.

What We Brought to the Parade (Besides Sparky!)

We didn’t come to the parade empty-handed. We brought:

• Two of our branded Boston Budget trucks

• Our team of Home Heroes, including our team from Dorchester, Florida, and Alabama

• Our families — partners, children, and even pets

Lots of giveaways, including:

• Coloring books with Sparky and plumbing safety tips

• Stickers and temporary tattoos for kids

• Poop bag holders and portable water bowls for pets

Everything we handed out had a purpose. The coloring books were fun, but they also helped kids learn simple home safety tips. The pet giveaways made it easier for families walking dogs to enjoy the parade without worry. The stickers and tattoos? Just pure joy.

We wore matching shirts and brought lots of energy. Families cheered, clapped, and waved. Kids danced with Sparky. It was a celebration of who we are and what we do — serving Dorchester with care and a smile.

It’s Not Just One Day: Boston Budget Supports Dorchester Year-Round from the Parade to the Ballfield

The Dorchester Day Parade is just one part of how we support our community.

We are proud to sponsor Little League Baseball at McConnell Park. It’s amazing to see kids playing their hearts out on fields we help maintain. Our support means teams have uniforms, equipment, and a safe place to play.

We also work closely with local schools. Our team donates educational materials, supports school fundraisers, and offers help when there are plumbing issues in classrooms. It’s important to us that schools know they can call someone who cares and understands their needs.

Throughout the year, we also:

• Host and support community events

• Provide helpful home maintenance tips on our website and social media

• Partner with other local businesses to build a stronger Dorchester

Everything we do comes from one goal: to give back to the place that has given so much to us.

Want to See Sparky Again Help Us Decide Where He Should Go Next

Now that Sparky the Service Otter has made his big debut, we’re already planning his next adventure. But we want your help!

We’re asking our neighbors: Where should Sparky go next?

Some ideas we’ve heard so far:

• Little League games

• Local school visits

• Neighborhood block parties

• Back-to-school safety fairs

• Community cleanup days

• Birthday parties

We want to bring Sparky where he’s needed and where he’ll make the most impact. His goal is always to make learning fun, and to bring smiles to children and families in Dorchester.

To share your ideas, visit our website or follow us on social media. We’ll be taking suggestions and running polls so the community can help shape Sparky’s journey.

Let’s keep the fun going and the learning growing!

Thank You, Dorchester! You’re the Heart of Everything We Do.

We want to say a big thank you to Dorchester.

You’ve welcomed Boston Budget into your homes, your schools, and your parks. You’ve trusted us with your plumbing, heating, and cooling needs for over 10 years. And now, you’ve danced with us, laughed with us, and taken pictures with Sparky at the parade.

We don’t take that lightly. We are here because of you. And we will continue to work hard for you, not just with tools and service calls, but with our presence at events, our support for local causes, and our commitment to making Dorchester even better.

As a proud plumber in Boston who also provides expert HVAC services, the Dorchester Day Parade reminded us that we’re not just fixing sinks or tuning up systems. We’re building something more meaningful—connections, trust, and a lasting sense of community spirit.

We’ll be back at next year’s parade with even more to share. But you don’t have to wait until then to see us. Follow along online, say hello if you see our trucks, and let us know how we can help.

From everyone at Boston Budget — thank you, Dorchester. You are the reason we do what we do.