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Updated: Largest crowd ever attends the 37th annual Chester Greenwood Day parade

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Celebrating its 150th year, the University of Maine at Farmington joined in the Chester Greenwood Day parade on Saturday.
Celebrating its 150th year, the University of Maine at Farmington’s parade entry featured its mascot and famous heads in the university’s history during  the 37th annual Chester Greenwood Day parade on Saturday.

FARMINGTON – The biggest crowd yet turned out for the 37th annual Chester Greenwood Day parade on a sunny, mid-30s breezy Saturday morning, perfect for wearing earmuffs.

The man who most famously invented earmuffs back in 1873 at the age of 15 was honored with a long parade, sponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, along with lots of events that celebrated Farmington native Chester Greenwood, along with winter as well.

Earmuffs were the fashion of the day for people, their pets and some over-sized versions decorating police cars and school buses. After the parade, a flag-raising ceremony, gingerbread house and chili contests were held.

The Chester Greenwood Day parade winners:
Adult Category

1st- Comfort Inn “Snowball Fight”
2nd- New Hope Baptist Church ” Winter Scene”
3rd – UMF 150th Celebration

Youth Overall

Broadway Academy of Dance

A large crowd turned out for the Chester Greenwood Day Parade on a breezy and sunny day in the mid-30s.
A large crowd turned out for the Chester Greenwood Day Parade on a breezy and sunny day in the mid-30s.
Peter Judkins, president and CEO of Franklin Savings Bank, at left and Timothy J. Thompson has been promoted to senior vice president, chief financial officer at Franklin Savings Bank
Dressed as penguins, at left, Peter Judkins, president and CEO of Franklin Savings Bank and Timothy Thompson vice president, chief financial officer at the bank, lead their bank’s float entry in the Chester Greenwood Day parade.
The float by the Comfort Inn of Wilton was titled snowball fight." With a parade theme of Maine’s Winter Activities.
The float by the Comfort Inn of Wilton was titled “Snowball Fight,” in keeping with a parade theme of Maine’s Winter Activities.
There were more than a few ice shacks in keeping with the parade theme of Maine’s Winter Activities for the 37th annual Chester Greenwood Day parade.
There were a few ice shacks as entries for a  parade theme of Maine’s Winter Activities for the 37th annual Chester Greenwood Day parade, including Barclaycard’s parade float.
The Smiling Goat Precision Juggling Corps juggles while marching in the 37th annual Chester Greenwood Day parade.
The Smiling Goat Precision Juggling Corps juggles while marching in the 37th annual Chester Greenwood Day parade.
A cast member of Theatre UMF's Polar Express is a participant in the Chester Greeenwood Day parade on Saturday.
A cast member of Theatre UMF’s Polar Express is a participant in the Chester Greeenwood Day parade on Saturday.
The LL Bean bootmobile joined the parade for the first time in the Chester Greenwood Day parade.
The LL Bean bootmobile joined the parade for the first time in the Chester Greenwood Day parade.
Titcomb Mountain ski enthusiasts joined the Chester Greenwood Day parade.
Titcomb Mountain ski enthusiasts joined the Chester Greenwood Day parade. The ski area in West Farmington is scheduled to open on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Gymnasts with Decal Gymnastics show off their talents in the Chester Greenwood Day parade.
Gymnasts with Decal Gymnastics show off their talents in the Chester Greenwood Day parade.
With
With Christmas just a few weeks away, Santa joined the Farmington Fire Rescue Department in wishing everyone a safe holiday season and announced that the 51st Maine State Federations of Firefighters convention will be held in Farmington in September of next year.
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce sponsored a gingerbread house contest, with entries on display at Bangor Savings Bank.
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce sponsored a gingerbread house contest, with entries on display at Bangor Savings Bank.
Paul Mills recites his annual poem in honor of Chester Greenwood as Chester Greenwood" (Clyde Ross) and "Isabel Greenwood" (Caroline Thompson, Greenwood's granddaughter look on.
Paul Mills, at center, recites his annual poem in honor of Chester Greenwood as Chester Greenwood, played by Clyde Ross and Isabel Greenwood, played by Caroline Thompson, Greenwood’s granddaughter, look on at the Franklin County Courthouse grounds after the parade. The Chester Greenwood flag was raised in honor of the earmuff inventor.
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8 Comments

  1. While watching the parade I stood next to a media team from Animal Planet! Be on the lookout!

  3. This is why we’re The USA!!!. There is no finer place to live on planet earth!! I am proud beyond telling.

  5. Great time watching the parade..
    Lots of variety..
    Very Very Nice.

    I also went inside the Historic North Church after
    Mt Blue Voices were singing,,,WOW !!
    And that church is very very cool..

    Loved seeing so many people enjoying,,
    We have a nice town folks..

  6. Wonderful display of community spirit.
    On wish list for next year’s parade-MORE MUSIC and singing to engage and energize the crowds!
    Mt. Blue Voices were awesome. Put them in the parade for everyone to hear!!!

  7. Community support extended to the Historical Society – the Octagon, North Church and Titcomb House had many visitors. Thank you to everyone who came by.

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