FARMINGTON — The 4th of July was celebrated a day early with the holiday falling on a Sunday this year.

The parade Saturday, July 3, was sponsored by the Farmington Rotary International Club. The theme was Freedom. Line up was in the large University of Maine-Farmington parking lot off High Street with step off at 10 a.m.

“We’re going to have a great parade again,” Rotarian William Marceau said while placing American flags on the organization’s float.

The parade was canceled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ella and Jessie Rines from Turner were seen harnessing their 4-year old miniature horse, Charlie. This was the first year they participated in the Farmington parade.

The family has three other horses they keep in northern Maine and it took them several hours to get Charlie, Jessie Rines said.

Richards’ Florist was seen nearby, preparing their float which included a banner noting peace and flowers equal freedom. Tie-dyed shirts and banners with folks wearing costumes reminiscent of hippies from the 1960s made the float one of the most colorful.

Ethan Austin of Farmington was with Sugarloaf’s entry but took time to help those from Maine Cabin Masters get the roof on their float.

United Way of the Tri-Valley Area used the parade to advertise their Farmington Fright Nights planned for October. McKenna Ernest-Rothert was seen wearing a large spider and a hat with a veil made by another member of the group.

“It should be fun, a little bit back to normal,” Darryl Wood said. He was with a large group opposing Central Maine Power Company’s proposed energy corridor. “It’s interesting the way COVID-19 has affected everyone, businesses you wouldn’t expect it to.”

Lots of children lined the parade route waiting for the chance to get some candy, small toys or freeze pops.

Betty Mae Harris of Phillips was attending her first parade and passed the time by stepping off the curb into the street then back up onto the sidewalk.

Luna and Ashleigh Truman of Industry waited in front of the Farmington Post Office. This was their second time at this parade.

Glenda Barker of Chesterville used a camp chair to view the parade from. Others sat in their vehicles and two people were seen in the back of their pickup, one on an ATV.

Joe Clark of Farmington was dressed as a colonist and held an American flag featuring stars for the original 13 colonies.

“I got the flag on Flag Day this year,” he said. “Our old one was tattered.”

Clark planned to read the Declaration of Independence in Meetinghouse Park following the parade. He started the tradition last year when no parade was held.

A large crowd had gathered near the intersection of Main Street and Broadway by 10 a.m. When the lights of the Farmington police vehicle were seen cries of “the parade’s coming” were heard and small children were lifted up to see better.

On the Franklin Savings Bank float a bear toasting marshmallows over an open ‘fire’ drew smiles and pointing fingers. The bear and moose on the Sugarloaf float were also popular as was Uncle Sam singing God Bless America as part of the Gospel Light Baptist Church entry.

A long line of fire trucks from local departments drew waves and smiles from some but covered ears  and frowns from others as sirens blasted at close range.

The decision to hold the celebration early turned out to be a good one. After seeing a post on Facebook it was confirmed Wednesday that the 4th of July was colder than last Christmas was.

The high temperature recorded in Augusta on Dec. 25 was 60 degrees, Derek Schroeter with the National Weather Service in Gray said. The high temperature there on July 4 was 57 degrees, he noted.

Augusta received 1.18 inches rain on July 4 making it the coolest and wettest 4th of July on record, Schroeter said. With 2.06 inches rain in Augusta on Dec. 25 that was the warmest and wettest Christmas on record, he added.

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