FARMINGTON — Sunny skies greeted hundreds of spectators at the Farmington Rotary Club’s Fourth of July parade Monday.

Rotary President Michael Cormier said he was pleased with the number of parade participants. There were more than 30 entries.

“The people just asked to participate. We encouraged them,” he said, noting that good weather helped with the turnout.

On the lawn at Henderson Memorial Baptist Church at Academy and Main streets, church members served free hot dogs and lemonade after the parade. They were also taking donations to benefit the Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund “50 for $50” program.

“We’ve been doing it since the Pierce House did the 100-year celebration,” said Henderson Memorial Baptist Church Pastor Susan Crane, coordinator of the Ecumenical Heating Fund. “It made for such community spirit that we wanted to keep it going. We approach it as a way to raise money for the heating fund.”

Last winter, the heating program supplied 237 households throughout Franklin County with 50 gallons of oil or the equivalent in other fuel. Each household paid a $50 share for the fuel delivery, with the Ecumenical Heating Fund paying the balance due, which totaled $19,591 for deliveries between Nov. 1 and March 31.

Crane said $732.06 was raised for the heating fund Monday.

Henderson Memorial Baptist Church member Greg Zemlansky of Farmington said he was delighted with the turnout for the day’s festivities, and with the community spirit shown in the donations to the heating program.

“It gets everyone in the community to come together as a family,” he said. “It’s for a good cause.”

The Centennial Band entertained with patriotic songs on the Pierce House lawn on Main Street. Members of the Old South Church served strawberry shortcake as a church fundraiser.

The parade winners were:

* Antique vehicles: First, John Deere tractor, Salee’s Tractor Co.; second, New Sharon antique firetruck; third, 1937 Chevy pickup.

* Walkers: Clowns.

* Military: First, Carroll and Diana Ladd, truck with flatbed carrying a military jeep; second, American Legion.

* Agriculture: First, Webber Farms; second, Franklin County Dairy Club; third, Giddy Up & Go 4-H Horse Club.

* Floats: First, Brian Rebert, IncrediWorld, New Hope Baptist Church; second,  Franklin Savings Bank; third, First Apostolic Church

bmatulaitis@sunmediagroup.net

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