Cousins, from left, Elizabeth Keene, 5, Aubrey Sneller, 7, Gerrit Sneller, 9, and Riley Keene, 7, watch the Canton Bicentennial Parade on Friday night in front of their family’s Conant Acres farm market. Art Chamberlin photo
CANTON — Residents celebrated the 200th anniversary of the town’s incorporation Friday night with fireworks and a parade of vehicles with blaring sirens, honking horns and flashing lights.
Vehicles were decorated with balloons, streamers and signs. People of all ages watched from their homes or came out to shout and wave. Several residents on the route put up special lights, flags and homemade signs for the celebration.
The parade began at the town’s highway garage, led by a firetruck driven by Canton Fire Chief Jason Vaughan and joined by a town truck driven by Canton Road Foreman Paul Mckenna and a cruiser driven by Oxford County Sheriff Chris Wainwright. The Canton Hi-Riders Snowmobile Club trail groomer was also in the procession. In all, 35 vehicles participated. Each driver was given a ribbon as a souvenir.
Robyn McClintock, left, Prudy Adams, center, and Carole Robbins participate in Friday night’s vehicle parade celebrating Canton’s 200th birthday. Art Chamberlin photo
The route covered a dozen roads and passed by Whitney Brookside Homes, Lake Anasagunticook and the Canton Point Trailer Park. In all 35 cars as it progressed.
Fireworks set off in two locations by Steve Wills and Rene Ouellette.
Feedback following the parade was enthusiastic, and Facebook was abuzz with comments, photos and videos: “We had a blast and are so blessed to be part of such a wonderful community!” “Small town America at its best! What a great time.” “So proud of my hometown.”
Residents also noted the fine job the Canton Volunteer Fire Department did with traffic control along the parade route.
The parade was in lieu of a Grand Gala originally scheduled for the same date, but postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Canton Bicentennial Committee sponsored the event and publicized it via Facebook and in the Sun Journal.
They also arranged for a lighted 12-foot inflatable cake, decorated sandwich boards that were placed around town, and oversaw logistics for the event.
Canton Bicentennial Committee members, from left, Phyllis Ouellette, Anne Chamberlin and Loretta Blancato stand next to the inflatable cake celebrating the town’s 200th birthday Friday night. Art Chamberlin photo
Committee members Phyllis Ouellette, Loretta Blancato, Brian Keene, Anne Chamberlin, Liz Rothrock, and others have been meeting since 2016 to raise money for the milestone birthday.
For more information about other Canton Bicentennial events email office@cantonme.com, or go to www.1821canton2021.org or the “Canton, Maine Bicentennial” Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cantonmainebicentennial.
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