Organizers are hoping for sunny skies after rain washed out the Westbrook Together Days parade last year.
“The theme is don’t rain on our parade again,” said Lisa Glidden, parade chairwoman.
The parade on Saturday, June 2, will start at 10 a.m. Starting from the intersection of Bridge and Lincoln streets, the parade proceed along Bridge Street and will swing onto Main Street. Then the parade will continue to Riverbank Park. Glidden said the parade would begin lining up at 8:45 a.m. on Lincoln Street.
Retiring Police Chief Paul McCarthy will lead the parade in a cruiser. “It’s a tribute to Paul,” Glidden said. “We wanted to do something special for the chief, recognizing all the years of service.”
And Ellie Saunders is this year’s grand marshal. Saunders, 87, was selected for her lifelong contributions to the city, Glidden said.
The Westbrook baseball team that played in the Little League World Series in 2005 was to have been the grand marshal last year.
City Clerk Barbara Hawkes will also ride in the parade.
Glidden, who was disappointed the parade was rained out last year, is optimistic that the parade will be a success. Last year, 52 entries registered for the parade and Glidden already had 20 confirmed more than two weeks before this year’s parade.
Even if unregistered units show up on parade day, they can participate. “We won’t turn anyone away,” Glidden said.
Parade registrations are rolling in. Some of the units and floats already committed include the Greater Portland School of Jukado, Kora Shrine mopeds and mini racers, Westbrook Woman’s Club, Westbrook Youth Hockey, Westbrook scout troops, Ernie’s Cycle Shop, Westbrook Little League, Trinity Lutheran Church, Cavallaro Auto Repair, Pike Industries, and Little Stars Preschool float pulled by a Les Wilson & Sons truck.
For antique car buffs, Elmer Larson will drive his 1930 Ford Model A roadster in the parade.
Company B of the Maine’s 133rd Engineer Battalion will roll out three army vehicles. Company B, which is based at the Stroudwater Street armory, served in Iraq and some of its soldiers will be arrayed in full battle gear for the parade.
The parade is popular, drawing people from surrounding communities. Glidden’s phone is already ringing with people asking about the parade. “They come from all over to see it,” she said.
Glidden recommended the Maine Street area near the banks as a good vantage point to see the parade and it close to parking lots. Many people will stake out viewing spots with their lawn chairs.
“Last year was a flop because of the weather. We’re keeping our fingers crossed this year,” Glidden said.
Units or individuals who want to participate in the parade but haven’t registered should contact Glidden immediately at 856-9990 days or 839-8664 evenings. She can FAX registrations forms. Glidden Excavating And Paving of Gorham is sponsoring the parade.
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