Parade to highlight the fourth

BANGOR – Two hundred thirty years after the colonies declared their independence from Britain, Mainers and visitors will gather once again to celebrate the Fourth of July.

With each patriotic holiday, the number of World War II vets, now in their 80s, continues to dwindle. But a sizable group still turns out for the parades, many of the vets carrying their World War II walking sticks.

The veterans are proud to say that as they travel the parade route in Brewer and Bangor, the applause from grateful spectators never stops.

On Memorial Day in May, 220 Korean War veterans participated in the parade and received blue Korean War walking sticks as a project of Cole Land Transportation Museum and Peavey Manufacturing.

That supply has been given out and the joint project has been completed. But Korean War vets who wish to obtain one of the walking sticks may purchase one by contacting Peavey Manufacturing in Eddington.

Cole Museum has sent out letters to 1,200 World War II veterans and hundreds of Korean War veterans, encouraging them to take part in the July 4 parade.

BANGOR-BREWER – Greater Bangor Kiwanis Clubs will sponsor the annual Fourth of July Parade beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 4, at the junction of Wilson Street and Acme Road, not far from the Brewer Auditorium in Brewer.

Units for the parade will form beginning at 10 a.m. Parking space for veterans will be saved on the Wilson Street side of the auditorium.

The parade will follow the traditional route, down Wilson Street, across the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge, then right onto Main Street in Bangor. The reviewing stand will be at West Market Square downtown. The parade will proceed along State Street and turn right onto Exchange Street to disband.

Veterans will be interested to know that First Student will furnish three buses to take those who are unable to walk the 1 1/2-mile route. In addition, some of the vets who plan to march may wait in the bus before the parade.

World War II veterans, Korean War veterans and Vietnam veterans will march together at the head of the parade. They will form on Wilson Street, under the trees beside the municipal swimming pool, with buses parked at the curb.

The Walter Hunt Memorial 3K Race will begin just before the parade, at 10:45 a.m. at the Brewer Auditorium, with runners preceding the parade.

The parade will disband on Exchange Street in Bangor. After the parade, buses from First Bus will take the veterans, both marchers and riders, back to Brewer to pick up their cars.

BANGOR-BREWER – Fourth of July fireworks will be hosted by the Bangor Breakfast Kiwanis Club at 9:15 p.m. July 4 over the Penobscot River. The Joshua Chamberlain Bridge will be closed to motorized traffic beginning at 7 p.m. in order for pedestrians to watch the fireworks from the bridge. There is a $1 charge for those who wish to watch the fireworks from the bridge itself.

BANGOR – St. John’s Organ Society will present “American Music to Celebrate Independence Day” at 7:30 p.m. July 4, St. John’s Catholic Church, 207 York St.

BANGOR – The Bangor Band will participate in the Fourth of July Parade at 11 a.m. July 4, then will give a concert at 7 p.m. at the bandstand at Bass Park on Main Street.

BREWER – The Bangor Noon Kiwanis Club will hold its annual pancake breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. July 4 at Brewer Auditorium, including, as always, fresh-picked strawberries on the side.

OLD TOWN – Food AND Medicine and the Eastern Maine Labor Council will hold Fourth of July festivities at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, behind the union hall in Eastern Park. Organizers are encouraging the public to bring chili for their second annual chili cook-off. There also will be a barbecue, music and speakers at the event.