Bristolian takes being a patriot to another level with parade set-up

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

Bristolians were busy at work this weekend getting their homes ready for the big holiday; but one group is taking being a “patriot” to another level.

William Ferrieri of Bristol put the final touches on his Fourth of July set-up on Sunday. It’s a scaffolding, equipped with a red white and blue couch known as the "Judges Couch" positioned on hope street right along the parade route.

"We made some signs, 10, 8, ooh, aah. Now when the parade goes starts and the bands go by, we give them the 10, the grand marshals we give them a 10,” Ferrieri said.

He and his friends spend hours building this the day before the parade, decking it out with signs and flags. They’ve been doing it for 12 years, but this year they’re dedicating their patriotic platform…

to their favorite patriot.

"The greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL, Tom Brady,” Ferrieri said.

The largest sign on their structure says “Free Brady Fire Goodell” and there’s a petition to go along with it.

"We want everybody in the parade to sign and we want to bring integrity back to the NFL,” said Ferrieri.

The sign, of course, is referring to the quarterback’s on-going battle with the league following deflategate. Ferrieri is now trying to take Brady’s deflategate fate into his own hands.

He’s hoping the thousands expected at Monday’s Bristol Fourth of July celebration will sign.

"We’re hoping that if people see this on channel 6 other cities and states and towns will sign a petition and send it to the NFL commissioner,” said Ferrieri.

He says he will send the petition to the commissioner after the parade.

© WLNE-TV 2016