Wiscasset says Happy birthday, America!

PHIL DI VECE News Contributor
Mon, 07/04/2022 - 4:00pm
Legionnaires raise the flag during Wiscasset’s Fourth of July celebration. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Alna Snowmobile Club float. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Woolwich firefighter Kevin Brewer and wife Kasie. Engine No. 4’s siren doesn’t seem to bother their sleeping daughter, Natalie. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Many old friends gather to watch the parade including, from left, Ed Bleile, Donna Sommers, Linda Bleile and Bob Sommers on Federal Street not far from where Bob Sommers taught at the elementary school and Linda Bleile served for many years as principal. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Katie Pease of Lisbon enjoys the parade with her son Eivin and daughter Eloise. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper
Uncle Sam (Scott Shepard) and Rosie the Riveter (Jennifer Shepard) were part of the J.M. Auto float. PHIL DI VECE/Wiscasset Newspaper

    Wiscasset celebrated America’s 246th birthday in grand fashion Monday with a parade followed by a patriotic flag raising on the waterfront, and then capping off a beautiful day weather-wise with a planned fireworks display over the Sheepscot River.

    Parade participants began gathering on Churchill Street at 9:30 for their march to the waterfront that kicked off shortly after 10 and was led by the color guard from Bradford-Sortwell-Wright Post 54 of the American Legion. After crossing Gardiner Road, the procession proceeded down Hooper Street to Federal Street then downtown past hundreds of people who gathered along the sidewalks to watch. A good crowd was on hand at the waterfront, too, for the traditional raising of Old Glory, followed by the playing of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” the firing of a salute by Legionnaires and playing of “Taps.”

    Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Programmer Chelsea Taylor coordinated this year’s parade and waterfront activities, her second year doing so. “Last year we were dealing with the pandemic and it rained. But this morning the weather is beautiful and we’ve got a lot more parade participants,” said Taylor. In fact, Parks and Rec had over 20 parade registrations in advance.

    The parade judges were Selectmen’s Chair Sarah Whitfield, Deb Pooler from Wiscasset Middle High School and John Hendrickson of Federal Street. Judging was based on creativity, originality and patriotic spirit. Winners were Linda Verney of Alna, the only entry in the animal category, driving the horse and wagon; automotive: First place, Josh Jones of Wiscasset, behind the wheel of his 1978 Ford Mustang; second, Bob and Tabatha Sawyer of Richmond; and third, J. M. Auto of Wiscasset. Business category: Frank Loupe Trucking of Wiscasset, first place; Wiscasset Speedway, second; Coastal Maine Cuts, third. Non-profit group: Bradford-Sortwell-Wright Post 54 of the American Legion and friends, first; Burke’s Island Farm, second and Wiscasset Republican Committee third for its red tugboat replica made by Tom Minerich and Geof Dow. Best Wiscasset Youth Float: Wiscasset Parks and Recreation.

    About the only thing missing were marshals; none were chosen for this year’s celebration.

    Most Popular