Greenville Independence Day: ‘There’s No Place Like Home’

By Mike Lange
Staff writer

    GREENVILLE — Less than three weeks after hosting the Maine moose hunting lottery for the first time ever, the town of Greenville is gearing up for the biggest event of the summer: Fourth of July.

    The theme of this year’s celebration and parade is “There’s No Place Like Home,” according to Deputy Town Clerk Bethany Young. “We’re encouraging all the parade entrants to use the theme. It can be a pretty broad interpretation — your personal home, your hometown or a place that feels like home.”
    Four suggested themes were posted on the town’s Facebook page, and “There’s No Place Like Home” received the most votes.
    The Fourth of July Parade usually has around 30 to 35 entries, and Young is encouraging businesses, families and organizations to register in advance so it can be organized easier. Trophies will be awarded in several categories: Most Patriotic, Best Business Float, Best Musical Entry, Best Themed Entry, Best Family Float, Best Antique Car, Judges’ Choice and Town Manager’s Choice.
    The Independence Day celebration starts with a craft fair and children’s games in the Katahdin and Camden National bank parking lots downtown at 9 a.m. At the same time, there will be a book sale at Pritham Gymnasium next to Greenville School.
    The parade units line up at 10 a.m. in the industrial park in Greenville Junction, and the Cecil R. Cole American Legion Post will host the opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m.
    The parade starts at 11 a.m. and ends in the municipal parking lot via Pritham Avenue.
    At 1 p.m., the children’s bike parade and contest gets under way in the Katahdin parking lot.
    A live music concert is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Pritham Avenue in downtown Greenville; and the largest fireworks display in Piscataquis County will be set off from the east cove of Moosehead Lake starting at 9 p.m. The musical entertainment was still being finalized at press deadline.
    To register a parade entry or float, call the town office at 695-2421. For more information about Fourth of July events, visit www.mooseheadlake.org.