Houlton’s Independence Day parade delights

2 years ago

HOULTON, Maine – A cool, but sunny morning provided the perfect backdrop for Monday’s Independence Day parade through the streets of downtown Houlton.

The streets of Main and Military streets, including Market Square and also a few rooftops, were filled with spectators eager to see the multitude of entries in this year’s parade, sponsored by the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s parade did not disappoint as highly decorated floats of all shapes and sizes made their way from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, down Main Street and wrapping back around Military Street before ending where it all began.

Candy was passed out by many organizations to keep children interested, while several other groups passed out free bottles of water.

Following the parade, the Houlton’s Agricultural Fair opened its doors for the third and final day of activities inside Houlton Community Park, before closing out the evening with a fireworks display.

HOULTON, Maine — July 4, 2022 — Cameron Clark proved once again to be one of the more popular float attractions as he rode the parade route Monday on a three-tiered unicycle during the Independence Day parade through downtown Houlton.  (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HOULTON, Maine — July 4, 2022 — Tammy Goetsch of the Military Street Baptist Church waves flags during the Independence Day parade through downtown Houlton.  (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HOULTON, Maine — July 4, 2022 — A lawn mower pulls children in a train-like rig during the Independence Day parade through downtown Houlton.  (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HOULTON, Maine — July 4, 2022 — Amelia McAtee (left) and Alylah McLaughlin carry the Chamber banner for the start of the Houlton Independence Day parade Monday morning.  (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HOULTON, Maine — July 4, 2022 — McGill’s Community Band provided patriotic tunes for Monday’s Independence Day parade through downtown Houlton.  (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HOULTON, Maine — July 4, 2022 — David Beals of the Houlton Fire Department surprised many of Monday’s parade watchers with a quick squirt of water during the Independence Day parade through downtown Houlton.  (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HOULTON, Maine — July 4, 2022 — A couple of parade watchers took the roof of a downtown building for a bird’s eye view of Monday’s parade. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HOULTON, Maine — July 4, 2022 — The Houlton Fire Department rolled out its horse-drawn steam engine for Monday’s parade. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)