NEWRY – Rain that began Friday night continued to pelt Saturday, but failed to wash out Newry’s Bicentennial parade or outdoor activities celebrating the 200th birthday of the town incorporated in 1805.
Administrative Assistant Loretta Berry said the Bicentennial Committee planned the day’s events expecting an attendance of 300 people.
“We have around 300 year-round residents, and we called Gilead, and they said they had 300 at their Bicentennial last year,” Berry said.
Patty Lowell of Newry, who said she was attending her first Newry celebration, estimated the crowd to be between 300 and 400 people.
“We’ve got some die-hards here,” Lowell said. “It amazes me how many people came out despite the weather.”
Five of Lowell’s eight sons marched nearly a mile on Route 26 with other members of Bethel’s Boy Scouts Troop No. 565 during the parade, which lasted about 45 minutes. They were led by scoutmaster Gene Tanguay of Albany.
“They absolutely loved marching in the rain. You could see it in their faces, they were so proud,” Lowell said of the scouts.
Also participating in the parade were fire trucks and firefighters from Newry, Gilead, Bethel, Greenwood and Woodstock, KORA Temple Shriners from Lewiston and Sebago, a trio of canoe paddlers from Bethel, a pair of equestrians from Newry, the American Legion Post No. 68 color guard from Locke Mills, Newry Selectman Steve Wight and his wife Becky riding a red Vespa Piaggio scooter, and several colorful floats.
The nearly 45-minute parade began at 11 a.m. about a mile north of Bear River Grange Hall on Route 26 in Bear River Valley. People either sat in their parked vehicles along the parade route or waited beside the road opposite the hall, bedecked in rain gear and wielding flashy umbrellas.
People from as far away as New Zealand, Colorado, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Connecticut, Chicago, New York and Massachusetts signed the event guest book.
In addition to children’s activities, a cookout prepared by Newry firefighters, strawberry shortcake desserts by Telstar High School seniors, musicians Jewel Clark and Donnie Katlin performed for the afternoon crowd.
A pancake breakfast prepared by Outward Bound preceded the parade.
Other scheduled events and performers included a baked bean supper prepared by Bear River Trading Post, fireworks display, and musicians Peter Morton and Friends, the Wicked Good Band and Maine humorist Joe Perham.
Inside the Grange hall, Bicentennial Committee members sold mementos and conducted raffle drawings, while others visited with Gilberta Seeley, 97, Newry’s oldest resident. Members of the Gilead Historical Society also displayed town memorabilia.
Newry Postmistress Crystal Lake also prepared a special Newry Bicentennial postage cancellation beside a list of Newry postmasters dating back to 1852.
“The best part of this whole thing is seeing people who used to live here who’ve come back, and, oh, the stories! It’s a big family reunion,” Patty Lowell said.
The weekend celebration ends today with a 2 p.m. hymn sing at Newry Church on Route 26.
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