A replica Lombardi trophy and five replica Super Bowl rings, representing each of the five Patriots titles, will be on display for people who want to pose for photos with them after the River Valley Super Bowl Parade in Rumford on Friday.
RUMFORD — The community is hosting its version of a New England Patriots Super Bowl parade this Friday, which will include one of the team’s cheerleaders, its mascot and a replica of the Lombardi trophy.
The parade will celebrate the football team’s fifth Super Bowl victory Feb. 5.
“People are pretty excited about it and happy to see something positive coming out of the area,” said Roger White of White’s Yardworks, who is working with the River Valley Chamber of Commerce and Black Mountain in this first-ever local Patriots tribute celebration.
The parade, to be held rain or shine, will begin at 6 p.m. at Mountain Valley High School, proceed up Hancock Street, pass through the rotary and end on Congress Street. People can enter a float or dress in Patriots gear and join the parade.
Following the procession, there will be a Super Bowl party at 7:30 p.m. in the lodge at Black Mountain ski area.
In a Facebook post, White noted, “There is no fee to enter into the parade. This is a low-budget event. We’re just like the Patriots; we don’t need to spend tons of money to get the job done.”
White said Franklin Savings Bank, KeyBank, Bangor Savings Bank, Oxford Federal Credit Union and other businesses plan to participate.
Mountain Valley High School will enter a float and the Falcons mascot will be in the parade. Rumford, Mexico and Dixfield are all using a town truck in the parade, and local law enforcement will be participating.
Also in the parade will be a replica of the Lombardi trophy, which White ordered from India. A collector of Patriots memorabilia for 20 years, he also will have five replica Super Bowl rings, representing each of the five Patriot titles.
The trophy and rings will be on display for people to pose with for photos at the Super Bowl party in the Black Mountain lodge following the parade.
“They will be offering $5 off a family-size pizza for anyone who has a float or truck in the parade,” said White, adding that there will be live music.
He said he is also working on a couple of other ideas for the parade.
“If everything comes to fruition, it should be a pretty decent parade,” he said. “I’m praying that by the end of next week, it’ll be a little bit warmer.”
bfarrin@sunmediagroup.net
What: River Valley Super Bowl Parade
When: 6 p.m. Friday, March 31
Where: Mountain Valley High School to Congress Street, Rumford
Info: Roger White on Facebook or Cheryl Dickson at 207-364-3241.
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