LIMESTONE, Maine — Patriotic patrons lined Main Street Saturday, and it was clear that the folks in Limestone bleed red, white and blue.
The community parade, a tradition that began almost 75 years ago, set off with the national anthem, which filled the street and wrapped around each waving flag and saluting veteran.
The sound of bubbling oil and the slap of freshly made doughboys on paper plates at the Masonic tent mixed with sirens and the occasional bwoop! from emergency vehicles slowly rolling down the road.
Selectman and Mason, Tom Albert, celebrated Saturday by feeding the hungry. He stood above a pot and prepped deep fried treats. He’d been at it since eight in the morning. Albert’s a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and said he’s been all over the world, and when it comes to Independence Day in America “it doesn’t get any better than this.”
Tom MacDougal, a local, leaned up against his 900 Kawasaki and enjoyed the parade with his wife Gayle. MacDougal’s a Vietnam veteran, and said he’s glad to be free, and had sentiments similar to Albert’s about the area “there’s no place like The County.”
Beauty queens beamed and waved as one after another, on top of freshly waxed cars, made their way down the procession.
Shirtless and dancing in the street, some residents couldn’t hold back as the feeling of freedom flowed through their bodies.
Saturday was town manager, Fred Ventresco’s, first Fourth in Limestone and he was surprised at the turnout. “The street is full,” he said. “It’s great to see and meet all these new people.”
Keeping folks safe was Limestone’s finest — community policing at its best. And reserve officer, Fred Pelletier, said, as he directed traffic, that nearly 3,000 people had showed up to enjoy the holiday.
Assorted neon-colored clowns glowed in the midday sun as they weaved in and out of the crowd handing out hugs and personalized collector’s cards to children.
Fire trucks, ambulances, tractors, derby cars and some tricked-out rides graced the median of the road.
Students attending the MSSM Summer Camp, dressed in tie-dye apparel, marched to the tune of their fearless leader and instructor, Larry Berz.
Even Elvis, played by Quentin Warren, made an appearance Saturday. Dressed in his signature jumpsuit with star-spangled accessories, he danced for the crowd as he shook his hips to the finish line.
Later in the evening the Main Street crowd made its way to Albert Michaud Park for what every red-blooded American craves on the Fourth of July, psychedelic explosions of the municipal-grade firework variety. After a fantastic display of sky flowers and hearts with flares of red, white and blue the real finale was the parking lot scramble as hundreds of people attempted to leave Limestone at once.
A mile-long stretch of red taillights lit the darkness on their way out of town while a cool summer night crept in to close the book on another fine holiday in Aroostook County.
