The Dorchester Day Parade on Sunday returned to the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare after a two-year hiatus.

Aided by sunny skies and cool breezes, the parade drew crowds along the three-mile route on Dorchester Avenue. High school marching bands mixed with candidates for governor, including Maura Healey and Geoff Diehl, as well as Mayor Michelle Wu.

Luigi “Lou” Pasquale, a 95-year-old World War 2 veteran, served as chief marshal of the annual June parade, which was canceled the last two years due to the pandemic.

The parade came a day after the first-ever “Dorchfest” music festival, which featured 45 bands jamming on 25 porches in the Ashmont-Adams section of Dorchester, with genres ranging from rock to jazz and hip hop. “Dorchfest” was cohosted by the Ashmont-Adams Neighborhood Association and Greater Ashmont Main Street.

Photos below by the Reporter’s Seth Daniel.

Parade Chief Marshal Lou Pasquale, now 95, finally got to lead the Dorchester Day Parade after two years of cancellations due to COVID-19 precautions. Named chief marshal in 2020, but having no parade to lead, he hung tight until 2022.

A member of the Boston Police Gaelic Column plays "Amazing Grace" as the wreath is laid on the Fields Corner War Memorial.

Mayor Michelle Wu enjoyed a warm welcome in Fields Corner at the front of the Dorchester Day Parade.

At Saturday's "Dorchfest," rock ‘n rollers from the John Monteleone Band blew the top of this Ashmont porch, with scores of participants taking refuge in the generous front yard to enjoy the music.

Will Habershaw, son of 2016 Mayor of Dorchester Deirdre Habershaw, rolls to the music on Carruth Street.

Coetta Mason enjoys the sunshine and some bluegrass vibes from the Berkshire Valley Boys on Bushnell Street.

Easton Anderson was ready to dance, sing and generally go crazy on Saturday when she heard the live music.