LIMESTONE, Maine — While floats in Limestone’s annual Fourth of July Parade are always adorned with plenty of red, white and blue, they will also be decorated with a “Spirit of Change” this year, which was selected as the parade theme.
“The Greater Limestone Chamber of Commerce recognizes that our community, state, nation and world are always in a constant cycle of change, and in order to keep up with change, we must (and our members must also) remain focused on the future,” explained member of the Limestone Chamber Mark Bouchard. He also quoted John F. Kennedy, saying, “change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
While the Chamber looks to the future, its small group of members has kept tradition in, once again, preparing a week filled with festive events celebrating the nation’s birth.
Tried-and-true Fourth favorites include the annual Strawberry Shortcake event held today by the Maine Preceptor Tau sorority, the week-long Vacation Bible School offered by the Limestone Methodist Church, the Street Dance on Sunday, July 3 and, of course, the Fourth of July Parade on Monday, July 4, starting at 1 p.m.
Following the parade, Trafton Lake will be brimming with celebratory events concluding with fireworks over the lake at approximately 9 p.m.
Chamber members have altered this year’s schedule to meet the participatory needs of Limestone residents, like changing the date of the Teddy Bear Picnic.
In the past, this event has been held in the middle of the week. This year, chamber members moved the picnic to Saturday, allowing working moms and dads the opportunity to enjoy the event with their children and to “kick-off the long holiday weekend together with fun and games,” explained Grace O’Neal, chamber secretary.
One look at the week’s Fourth of July schedule (available at most businesses in Limestone and the Town Office) affirms that Saturday, July 2 is going to be a great day to be a kid; four child-oriented events will be held simultaneously at the Albert Michaud Memorial Park from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. — the Teddy Bear Picnic, free Humvee rides provided by the Maine Military Authority, the always wet-and-wild Hurricane Limestone sponsored by the Limestone Volunteer Fire department. Officers of the Limestone Police Department will also be on hand that morning to issue free Child I.D. kits.
For kids of all ages, there will be an Antique Farm Machinery Show just a short walk away from the kid-centered events at the park; in the parking lot of the Masonic Lodge there will be an Antique Farm Equipment Show.
Turning Point is once again scheduled to perform at Limestone’s Street Dance, which starts at 9 p.m. on Sunday, July 3 and runs until midnight, but Fourth fanatics will want to make certain to be up early on the holiday if they want to catch lunch before the parade starts; last year, the Limestone Fire Department’s Annual Chicken Barbecue sold out early, so don’t be late! Lunch is scheduled from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
For groups, organizations, businesses and patriotic individuals wishing to enter a float in Limestone’s famed Fourth of July Parade, lineup begins at 11 a.m. on the Fourth at the Limestone Community School.
“Last year we had over 100 entries and we’re hoping for the same amount this year,” O’Neal said.
While the patriotism will be palpable on the Fourth of July in Limestone, it seems that air in Limestone changes with the festival-like week.
“Right around the first of June, you can start to feel the excitement and anticipation for this year’s Fourth of July festivities will entail,” O’Neal explained, describing how families and friends start planning reunions and get-togethers centered around the celebration. The community begins transforming aesthetically as well with businesses and local residences decorating their properties with patriotic décor “and with that, excitement builds amongst the kids with anticipation of the picnics, the games and the parade — there’s definitely a mood shift; community spirit is at an all-time high during these weeks as everyone does their part in preparing for another year to celebrate Independence Day.”
