Despite forecasts of bad weather, yesterday was a partly sunny day and a wholly satisfactory one for those of us who celebrated Independence Day here in Brooklin, Maine. Brooklin is regionally renowned for its annual small-town July 4th celebration of summer sights, sounds, food, and fun.
As usual, the morning began with a remarkably imaginative music selection by the remarkably good Brooklin Town Band. It played under the maples on the Friend Memorial Public Library grounds, just across the street from the Brooklin General Store. While the band played on, entrepreneurial youngsters sold juices and pastries and the crowd gathered on Reach Road, awaiting the parade.
The parade started at about 10 a.m. and is shown below in its chronological order. It was led by the Brooklin Fire Department’s big red Engine 1, which — touchingly — was followed by a little red wagon for 2 children. Thereafter, came parading Uncle Sams and Aunt Sams, strolling Statues of Liberty, flag-caped celebrators, and a funny eagle mingling with fierce eagles.
Interspersed throughout, there were the usual hordes of decorated and classic vehicles, including more fire trucks from Brooklin and nearby towns.
Imaginative floats celebrated the coastal life of Brooklin, including a picnic and a fishing vessel that towed people on “water skates” instead of skis. And still more decorated vehicles.
And then, there were still more fire trucks and other vehicles.
At the virtual end of the parade, there was a fast-moving cloudburst, but this one happened to be a human one mocking our dank spring and early summer weather.
At the very end of the parade, a Brooklin rescue vehicle signaled that it was time to move to the Town Green, where the youngsters could toss a “dead” (rubber) chicken into a hole, throw a wet sponge at friends, swing at golf balls, and climb a high pole for dollars.
There also was plenty of food and gossip to be had at the Green. The “meals” consisted of barbequed chicken or pulled pork with potato salad, coleslaw, and watermelon. Hot dogs could be bought separately and, of course, they were “Maine reds.”
It was a happy coastal 4th that featured a dash of yellow lobster trap among the reds, whites and blues.
(Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on July 4, 2023.)