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A Perfect Day for a Parade! Lyme Celebrates the Fourth of July Under Sunny Skies

July 5, 2018 by Katie Reid

Rowland Ballek, who served as this year’s Grand Marshal, smiles broadly as he fulfills his duty.  Photo by Mike Dickey.

The boom of the musket echoes through the ears of the crowds gathered on either side of Cove Street, patiently awaiting the commencement of the annual Fourth of July Parade in Lyme.

The traditional firing of muskets signals the start of the Lyme Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Michele Dickey.

These fine soldiers then take up their positions at the front of the parade.

‘Vintage’ soldiers march down Cove Rd. Photo by Michele Dickey.

Children sit on the sides of the road with bags in their hands, ready to collect any candy that might be thrown their way. 

Grand Marshal Rowland Ballek rides in style at the head of the annual Lyme Independence Day Parade. Photo by Katie Reid.

The parade begins with the Grand Marshal Rowland J. Ballek, who served as the moderator of Lyme’s Annual Town Meeting for 46 years.

Photo by Katie Reid.

People marching in the parade hold balloons and buckets full of candy, ready to toss the sweets to the youngsters who are watching the parade pass.

Photo by Katie Reid.

Children ride scooters with baskets filled with treats, enthusiastically waving American flags and expressing their patriotism with red, white, and blue skirts and streamers.

Everybody loves a parade! Photo by Michele Dickey.

They came from “Sea to Shining Sea” …

Photo by Michele Dickey.

And also participating are this interesting crew …

Photo by Michele Dickey.

… two bears and a gorilla wearing sunglasses, who seem to take the whole event in their stride!

Photo by Michele Dickey.

Next come the counselors and campers from Camp Claire as they proudly carry their banner and wave to spectators, while cheerfully singing, “It’s a Grand Old Flag.”

Photo by Katie Reid.

The Lyme Garden Club is here …

Photo by Katie Reid.

And the Lyme Cub Scouts make a very special appearance!

Photo by Katie Reid.

People drive by in the coolest cars in town …

… and the coolest tanks!

Bruce Noyes drives the tank while his wife Tammy sits atop the big machine. Photo by Michele Dickey.

And finally the Lyme Ambulance Association closes out the proceedings for another year.

Photo by Katie Reid.

And after all was done, there were smiling faces everywhere, but also some hot and exhausted folks including this four-legged fellow — a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel named Simon and owned by Heather and Tom Richardson.  Perhaps he was waiting for his free ice pop, courtesy of Hamburg Cove Yacht Club?

Photo by Michele Dickey.

Here’s hoping everyone had a happy Independence Day — see you next year!

Filed Under: Lyme, News, Top Story

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nancy Baldwin Manville says

    July 6, 2018 at 9:11 am

    Thank you, Katie, for these wonderful photos of
    our beloved Lyme 4th of July parade. One of my
    favorite memories of Lyme is sitting at my desk,
    which was next to Rowland Ballek’s, in the 7th
    grade at Lyme Consolidated School. Never did I
    dream that one day he would be the Grand
    Marshall!

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