Thousands of people watched the Greater Bangor Area Fourth of July Parade in blazing sunshine Saturday morning.
They lined the 1.5-mile parade route, seeking shade wherever possible, as children decked out in red, white and blue waved American flags – and flags celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States of America.
Bill and Tasha Gardner used an American flag umbrella to block the sun as they watched the parade from their open-top Jeep, with a red, white and blue bunting draped over the windshield.
They return to the same spot every year to show their patriotism and love for their country, Tasha Gardner said. It’s the “best view,” up on a hill, and they add more Americana to the Jeep, she said.
Ariana Sharpe, 11, hands out ice pops to spectators along the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge while riding with Darling’s Bangor Ford in the Greater Bangor Area Fourth of July Parade on Saturday. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN 
Jim Spinney, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, shakes hands with spectators lining Main Street during the Greater Bangor Area Fourth of July Parade in Bangor on Saturday. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN 
Aryianna Lippert, 8, of Bangor, dressed in an America 250-themed outfit, waves to parade participants during the Greater Bangor Area Fourth of July Parade on Main Street in Bangor on Saturday. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN 
Bunny Falkie skates along side Legacy Mobile Roller Rink on Main Street in Bangor during the Greater Bangor Area Fourth of July Parade on Saturday. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN 
The Greater Bangor Area Fourth of July Parade makes its way through the construction zone along the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge to Bangor on Saturday. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN 
Runners competing in the Walter Hunt 4th of July 3K Road Race make their way along Wilson Street in Brewer before the start of the Greater Bangor Area Fourth of July Parade on Saturday. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN
Two of their grandchildren, and parents, joined this year. PJ Gorczok, 3, was excited to see the firefighters, along with his sister Halle Gorczok, 1.
The children wore red, white and blue “250” T-shirts, with each child’s handprint making the zero. Their mom, Teddi Gorczok, made the whole family shirts.
Construction on the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge slowed the parade as it navigated a single narrow lane of traffic.
However, the slow progress allowed Ariana Sharpe, 11, riding in a car during the parade, to hand out ice pops to children and runners who completed the 3K road race before the parade.
The heatwave across Maine broke slightly by Saturday, with a heat index of 86 degrees, down from nearly 100 degrees on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
Clowns walking the route gave out stickers and the occasional hug. Veterans from wars dating back to World War II walked and rode in buses, as people cheered and thanked them for serving.
Maine broadcasting legend George Hale was the parade’s grand marshal. He rode in an orange convertible Corvette, waving to fans.