STOCKHOLM, Maine — July Fourth is a holiday associated with fairs, fireworks and of course, parades. The Stockholm Fourth of July Parade is one that has been taking place in the Swedish colony for many years, but this year was even more special than in years past, as hometown hero Russell Currier was honored by being named Grand Marshal of the parade, while the town also decided to coincide our nation’s Independence Day with the newly established “Russell Currier Day.”
Part of “Russell Currier Day” and Currier’s title as Grand Marshal meant he would be leading the parade procession. Currier skated at the front of the long line of fire trucks and floats, along with a large group of fellow skaters, who all strapped on their road skis to join Currier at the front of the pack. The skaters donned their red, white and blue gear, as they led the parade participants down the town’s steep Main St.
The parade included a number of different participants, who came out to show their patriotism and join in the celebration of not only our nation’s birth, but the return of a national and local hero being honored for his hard work and dedication displayed while on the path to becoming an Olympic athlete. As mentioned, Currier and his band of skaters led at the forefront of the parade line. The skaters were followed by various Stockholm and Aroostook County based groups, such as Stockholm’s Girl Scout Troop 1070, the Stockholm Community Band, color bearers and fire trucks from the Caribou and North Lakes fire departments, the County Patriot Young Marines, the Little Swedish Folk Dancers, the Stockholm Little League champion Northstar Variety team, Smokey the Bear (played by Scott Sandstrom), a bevy of classic cars and the 2014 Poppy Queens Kayla Pinette, Madison Paul and Jorja Brecht.
The parade ended with a long line of modern and antique fire trucks from both the Caribou Fire Dept. and North Lakes Fire Dept., who both donated their time to display their vehicles in the parade, while also allowing a young boy or girl to ride along in the front seat, as they were awarded a unique experience to flash the lights and sound the trucks’ siren as they made their way down Main St.
Currier was also honored prior to the parade at a Stockholm selectperson’s regular meeting on June 24. He was recognized with a certificate from the town officials in order to convey their gratitude and admiration for all the hard work and dedication he has put forth throughout his athletic career.
“We honored Russell with the certificate of recognition, so the presentation was really the celebration,” said Town Clerk Sheri Stone. “We wanted to keep the parade the same as it has always been, which is a Fourth of July Parade, but we have also invited Russell to take part in the parade, where he will be skating at the front of the parade, because after all, that’s what he does … skate.”
For those two magical weeks in February, Currier was adopted by his supporters as Stockholm’s native son, as well as a representative for all those in northern Aroostook County, who hold such Nordic traditions in high regard. The Swedish colony of Aroostook County, from New Sweden to Westmanland and of course in Stockholm, is a region of proud and hardworking people, who have maintained such traditions as skiing for over a century, and Currier was a prime example of the hard work and pride that would elevate him to the upper echelon of Nordic skiing.
“It was an honor to be recognized by the town,” said Currier. “I’ve always looked forward to attending the parade every year, so being able to take part in it is really special. It really adds to the atmosphere and the holiday itself.”
Currier’s recent Olympic biathlon exploits not only left his hometown brimming with pride, but afforded the members of the community the opportunity to combine one of our nation’s biggest holidays with the town’s biggest success story.
