RANGELEY – When Squire Rangeley found the town of his namesake in 1855, he couldn’t have guessed what its 150th birthday might have looked like. Suffice to say, he would have been very impressed.
The town’s sesquicentennial celebration culminated Saturday morning with an upbeat, festive parade that featured nearly every local group, numerous floats honoring the theme of then and now,’ and several of Maine’s top politicians.
“It’s a wonderful celebration,” said Gov. John Baldacci, who marched in the parade. “I love the antique cars. I love the way people dressed up. It’s the way parades used to be when I was a kid growing up.”
The mood was festive from the beginning as residents and tourists alike took in the many sights, sounds and displays located all around town, most of which had some sort of reference to the Rangeley of 150 years ago.
“It’s a 150th anniversary, and it’s an opportunity to reflect on our roots and our cultures and traditions, and be able to pass them down from one generation to the next,” said Baldacci. “That’s why I think these celebrations are important. They mark a particular milestone in the community, and we get an opportunity to reassess where we are and to better appreciate the opportunity that we do have.”
Rangeley’s sesquicentennial celebration, in fact, has been going on all year, but peaked this weekend, and, in particular, during the morning parade, where thousands of people flocked to the center of town.
“You can’t help but be overwhelmed by the turnout of people that are here,” said Baldacci. “They’re from all over Maine and all over parts of the country.”
U.S. Reps. Tom Allen and Mike Michaud also took part in the celebration, shaking hands all along the parade route and chatting with many of the spectators.
“Rangeley has obviously put together a great celebration,” said Allen, who was planning to stay in the area and go fishing during the next few days. “One hundred and fifty years is a long time, by any measure.”
“I think it’s fantastic,” said Michaud. “A lot of community support here, a lot of people out visiting the establishments.”
Allen also praised the town itself, saying Rangeley “has managed to preserve both its natural environment and its emphasis on recreation.” He also said that events like the sesquicentennial are “great community spirit builders.”
Michaud echoed Allen’s sentiments, saying the celebration was “a good rekindling of friendships and families getting together. The community spirit (in Rangeley) is alive and well.”
Many of the activities occurred in or around Lakeside Park, where music was played for much of the day, and where groups ran displays and staged presentations.
Other events that drew great interest included a horse-drawn wagon ride, a fly casting demonstration, and an auction in the park. Special sesquicentennial postal cancellations were also offered for anyone who brought a stamped envelope to the post office or to a special booth in the park.
Along with the political dignitaries, the celebration also welcomed 17 descendants of the original Squire Rangeley. David Rangeley, who came all the way from Suffolk, England, to be at the event, spoke at a presentation in the park during the afternoon.
“I’m truly amazed, and I think the Squire would have been thrilled,” Rangeley told the crowd. “(He) would have been proud of you.”
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