FARMINGTON — The crowds in Farmington on Saturday were excited for the Farmington Rotary Fourth of July parade, and so was Rotary President Martha Wing.

“It’s gone great,” said Wing, who added that organizing the event as the new Rotary president was challenging but fun. “I had lots of help.”

This year’s parade theme was “Children,” and there were numerous children that took part.

Nine floats, a series of firetrucks and police cruisers from area fire and police departments and walkers of the two- and four-legged variety gathered at the Mallett School to participate in the parade.

The parade route took participants down High Street, onto Broadway, left on Main Street, left on South Street and back to the University of Maine at Farmington parking lot on High Street. Prizes were presented for the best floats in different categories.

The parade was just one of several Independence Day activities taking place in Farmington on Saturday. At the Pierce House, strawberry shortcake was served on the front lawn as a fundraiser for the Old South Congregational Church, and people gathered under a tent to listen to songs performed by the Centennial Band.

The Henderson Memorial Baptist Church gave out free hot dogs and accepted donations for its ecumenical heating ECU Heat Fund.

bmatulaitis@sunmediagroup.net