LIVERMORE FALLS — Two graduates of Livermore Falls High School are taking the job of organizing the Independence Day parade on July 3.

The Tri-Town July 4th Parade Committee, which had organized the parade for years, disbanded Thursday. Member Barbara Cook of Jay cited lack of participation and money among the reasons.

Erica Tripp, 32, and Katie Rae Rollins, 30, both mothers from Livermore Falls, said they marched in the parade when they were growing up. They also attended the parade with family members over the years.

Their experiences prompted them to take over organizing this year’s parade. They are holding their first organizational meeting at 6 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the Chuck Wagon Restaurant in Livermore Falls. Anyone interested is welcome to attend.

“We want to bring back town pride,” Rollins said. “Our children deserve this, as we did as children. We want to make it the best it has ever been.”

“We grew up in this town and look forward to going to these events with our friends and family,” Tripp said.

“We are doing this because we believe town pride should be more important,” Rollins said. “We grew up going to these parades where the community came together as one. We want to continue this tradition. We want to include the younger generations of Livermore Falls, Livermore and Jay and remain one community to give our children what we had growing up — town pride.”

The women have set up a fundraising page for the parade: www.facebook.com/SaveTheParade and Gofundme page of Gofundme.com/277dw88s. The Facebook page will lead visitors to the Gofundme page.

Jay voters approved $150 for the parade in April. Traditionally, Jay raised $300 but with with Verso Androscoggin LLC’s paper mill and associated property declining in valuation resulting in a lower tax contribution, the town budget was cut significantly.

Voters in Livermore and Livermore Falls will be asked to raise $300 each, as they have done annually at town meetings in June.

Parade insurance costs about $400 and one Shriners crazy car is $350, Cook said Friday.

Rollins and Tripp have been consulting with members of the disbanded committee.

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