Yarmouth Prepares for a “Hats Off to Broadway!” Parade
Friday, July 17, 6:00 pm
If this year is like every other for the last several decades, tens of thousands of spectators will line Yarmouth’s Main Street at 6:00 pm on the third Friday of July to kick off Yarmouth Clam Festival weekend with the opening parade. This year’s theme is “Hats Off to Broadway.”
The Clam Festival is one of Maine’s most popular summer events, and the parade is a long-time favorite for generations of spectators.
“We like to pick a theme for all ages—something that captures the imaginations of the young and the memories of the old, said Clam Festival Parade Director, Debra Henry. “And we like the challenge of coming up with something new and fun for people who have come year after year for as long as they can remember.”
The parade route runs the length of Main Street through Yarmouth Village, about a mile and a half and an hour and a half and consists of floats, bands, walking and marching units, and mascots.
Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce Events Manager, Holly Guy, says, “People always have fun hamming it up in the parade, and audience participation is strong because there’s a real small-town feel, no matter how many people. But with this year’s theme, Main Street will become one giant stage, where the whole town is a star.”
So far, the Chamber has received applications to enter floats with such themes as Grease, Peter Pan, Hairspray, Little Mermaid, Shrek the Musical, Mary Poppins, and Wizard of Oz.
Debra Henry, says, “We’re beginning to get a nice line-up. We’re still expecting applications from our regulars, and if the pattern holds, we’ll see a flurry as the submission deadline approaches.”
The application deadline is Monday, July 6, 3:00 pm at the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce. Entrants may be from any town in Maine and can pick up an application at the Chamber or download one here.
Judges award prizes in four categories:
1) Large business
2) Small businesses
3) Non-profits, schools, and camps
4) Neighborhoods
Prizes include trophies, ribbons, and “Clam Bucks” to be used at the food circle.
