The Most Popular Event at the Maine Lobster Festival
The fun begins at 10am August 3, 2024!
UPDATE: THE BIG PARADE POSTPONED TO 1 1AM DUE TO WEATHER
Wonder what the most popular event at the Maine Lobster Festival is? Look no further than The Big Parade! This year The Big Parade begins at 10am August 3, 2024 on Main Street in Rockland.
The 2024 parade theme is “Through The Years” and Festival directors encourage creative interpretations!
For many years, the parade has drawn the largest crowd of the week, and often proves to be among the longer of the parades in Maine during the year. Each year, the town of Rockland closes Rockland Main Street to traffic as local community members and visitors alike gather to watch parade participants march or drive by.
In the past, participants have ranged from local groups and businesses to nationally-recognized participants joining us from various parts of the country like The L.L. Bean Bootmobile and “The Band” Marching Unit.
This year’s grand marshal for the 2024 Big Parade will be Lewis Metcalf. Lewis was a firefighter and police officer for the town of Rockland for 36 years, retiring from the force as Deputy Chief. Lewis has a deep connection with Rockland, serving on the City Council for six years after a landslide election. Lewis has also been involved with numerous community organizations, the Masons, Kora Shriners, and “Rockland Share The Pride,” to name a few. Maine Lobster Festival President Celia Knight says, “He has been a wonderful mentor to kids in our community and served as a volunteer in many capacities at the Maine Lobster Festival.”
The parade is a great place to show off the enthusiasm we have for our community. Look for floats from many local businesses, fire trucks, sports team mascots, Color Guards, Kora Drifters, MVRA All Stars, Pat Patriot, the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, stilt walkers and more! The Maine Lobster Festival is honored to have all of these organizations participate as well as many, many more. Our local community makes this parade an exciting and entertaining family event celebrating our beloved lobster industry.
Awards will be presented to participants in The Big Parade in the categories of People’s Choice, Antique Vehicle, Commercial, Non-Profit, Marching, Band, Director’s Choice, and Theme.
2024 Big Parade Winners
People’s Choice – MVRA All Stars
Antique Vehicle – On Watch
Commercial – Horch Roofing
Non-Profit – Good Tern Co-op
Marching – Claddagh Mhor Pipe Band
Band – Hallowell Community Band
Director’s Choice – MAC Storm Cheerleaders
Theme – Elks
Parade FAQ
Want to Participate?
Groups and organizations interested in participating in the parade may download, fill it out and mail it to Maine Lobster Festival, PO Box 552, Rockland ME 04841 or email the application to us at [email protected].
In addition to floats, it also features the grand marshal, the newly crowned Maine Lobster Festival Delegate, King Neptune and his court, and a variety of bands, marching units, drill teams and more.
There is no fee for participating in the Big Parade.
The Big Parade has for many years drawn the largest crowd of the weekend and often proves to be among the longest parades in Maine during the year. Grand marshals for Festival parades have ranged from local, long-time workers for the event to influential community members.
Watch the full 2022 parade ONLINE
Antique Vehicle – Union Fair Auto
Non-Profit – Rosie’s Hugs
Novelty – Black Harpoon
2019 Parade Winners:
Marching – Gym Gandies
Band – Lincolnville Community Band
Commercial – Horch Roofing
Theme – Hannaford
Marching – Gym Gandies
Band – Lincolnville Community Band
Commercial – Horch Roofing
Theme – Hannaford
