FARMINGTON — Warmer than usual weather laced with snow flurries Saturday brought people in droves to downtown Farmington for the 34th annual Chester Greenwood Day parade.

The 35-degree day may have also bumped up the number of parade entrants from 21 preregistered floats to more than 50 groups, with most trying to hit the theme: “A Child’s World of Wonder.”

“I think we had more people this year than last year,” said Lorna Nichols, executive director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.

“Last year, I estimated the crowd at 2,500, but it was closer to 3,000 this year,” she said. “I think the snow really adds to the festive spirit and people just really get into it more.”

The day commemorates Chester Greenwood and his invention of earmuffs.

“The flurries in the air make it a festive scene,” said chamber Vice President Michael Blanchet.

During the night and early morning, 2 inches of snow had fallen at Mount Blue High School, he said.

But the only snow in the parade line-up area in a University of Maine at Farmington parking lot off High Street was on a few floats.

“We’ve got floats from ‘Candy Land’ to ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ here,” Blanchet said.

As the 11 a.m. start neared, people continued adjusting floats and costumes or giving instructions to those riding on floats.

Lukas MacDonald of Dixfield, dressed as King Candy, was trying to figure out how to get onto the Candy Land float while wearing simulated plate-mail armor that prevented any sort of bending. He was eventually helped aboard.

Seven-year-old Tricia Souther, dressed as Viking lass “Astrid,” was trying to keep warm while seated on the large handmade Night Fury dragon, “Toothless,” behind Viking teen “Hiccup,” portrayed by Owen Martin, 7, of Strong.

Below them a few young children dressed as young dragons — complete with moving wings — vied for attention on the How to Train Your Dragon float sponsored by Franklin Savings Bank.

Waiting with other adults garbed in Viking helmets and clothing were Melissa Austin and her 6-year-old English springer spaniel, “Oreo,” a parade regular. Saturday, however, was Oreo’s debut in a purple dragon outfit.

“This is her first time as a dragon, but she’s been in the parade other times and she loves it,” Austin said.

Behind the Candy Land float, youths from the Western Maine United soccer team lucked into a spirited chat with Santa.

The boys peppered the jolly old elf with questions, like, “Where’s your reindeer?” “What kind of cookies do you like?” and “Am I on the ‘good’ list?”

Blindsided, Santa and his elf answered every question as best they could, without naming those on the “good” list.

At the living Nativity scene float hosted by the New Hope Baptist Church of Farmington, Sandi Rebert gave last-minute instructions to “Joseph,” portrayed by Jared Winslow of New Sharon, “Mary and child,” portrayed by Abby Howell of Kingfield and a doll, and shepherd John Winslow.

Their “Come as a Child to Christmas” float won the top prize for theme, and $325; the Greenwood Family and Western Maine United soccer team float won the youth category, and $225; Regional School Unit 9’s school bus costumed as a black Polar Express locomotive won originality, and $150; the dragon float won appearance, and $100.

The Greenwood Family donated the prize money, Blanchet said.

Precisely at 11 a.m., the parade began, turning left onto South Street from High Street, and then right onto Main Street. Blanchet said it was a different route than previous years due to ongoing construction at the Mallett School.

“I thought it was real good,” Chuck Nye of Farmington said of the parade.

About 25 minutes later, it was over and the crowd melted into stores and the Bangor Savings Bank where a dozen gingerbread houses and two entries into the chili contest awaited onlookers.

Entertainment was provided in the lobby by new dance group, In-Clog-Neat-O, composed of cloggers Darcy Shurtleff of New Sharon and Debbie McKinney of Farmington.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link