Staff Writer
It’s hard to believe that it has been nearly a month since the streets of Caribou were lined with thousands of people anxiously awaiting the arrival of the city’s Sesquicentennial Parade. With nearly 150 units, the three-hour extravaganza dazzled viewers with the sights and sounds depicting a literal timeline of history. Parade judges Jason Parent, Dr. Regan Gallagher and Alana Margeson were left with the difficult duty of selecting parade participant winners in seven different categories.
Winners named in their respective categories are as follows.
Best Non-profit Group: The Marissa Lloyd Sunshine Fund float, resplendent with a big bright rainbow and bubbles, individuals walking with the float handed out hundreds of donated books to children along the entire parade route.
Best Civic Group: Caribou Rotary Club with a large spinning wheel, powered by a bicycle.
Best Business: The Maine Dance Academy, with more than 200 young dancers, some walking, others traveling the route courtesy of three pick-up trucks and a flat-bed trailer.
Best School Group: Caribou High School National Honor Society; this group created a float depicting an ‘old school’ on one side and ‘new school’ on the reverse side. The NHS float featured a ‘striving for excellence’ banner.
Best Historic Theme: Sleepers of Caribou, with their replica of the old store with brothers Ike and Joe Sleeper seated on a bench, traveling with the float.
Best Overall Effort: Girl Scouts of America; Girl Scout members and leaders wore uniforms from over the ages.
Best In Show: S.W. Collins Company, with the replica of the original mill depicted by a fully working waterwheel and saw mill.
