HOULTON, Maine — The town of Houlton may not be planning an official Fourth of July parade due to COVID-19 restrictions, but that has not stopped a local entrepreneur from coming up with an alternative to the time-honored tradition.
Fred Grant, owner of WHOU radio station in Houlton, had already devised a plan to bring fireworks to the Shiretown after both the Houlton Agricultural Fair and Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce decided not to host fireworks this year.
Now he has set his sights on organizing a parade with a twist.
“With the constant theme of summer is coming and everything being canceled, this was just one of those things I felt was needed for the people of Houlton,” Grant said. “The Fourth of July is Houlton’s holiday and I wanted there to be some way to still celebrate that.”
Dubbed the “Fourth of July People’s Parade,” the event is a non-traditional parade in that there is no starting or ending point. In addition, many of the entries typically found in a Houlton parade — such as bands, free watermelon from a flatbed and a bundle of antique farm tractors — will not be included.
The “People’s Parade” in Houlton will follow a specific route on the Fourth of July. (Courtesy of Fred Grant)
The “People Parade” is designed to be a free flowing event over a six-mile course through many town streets. Individuals do not need to sign up in advance, but are encouraged to decorate their vehicles in a patriotic manner. Flatbed vehicles, bicycles and walkers are not allowed.
Those that want to participate, but not in the parade, are asked to decorate their front lawns in a patriotic manner, possibly play some patriotic music, and pull up a chair and wave to the many cars that pass by, Grant said. The radio station will also be playing patriotic themed music from 10 a.m. to noon.
Those individuals who simply want to sit and watch the parade can do so, provided they maintain the state’s social distancing requirements, he added.
The goals for the parade are to allow people to safely display their patriotic pride in a time of pandemic; prevent large gatherings of people in public places; eliminate a staging location for the start of a parade; help support those who cannot leave their residence; and to celebrate the community in a creative and safe manner.
The six-mile parade route, dubbed “The Indepence Loop,” will cover a large section of Houlton.
“This loop is long enough so that everyone can participate and/or experience the celebration,” Grant said.
