The Most Popular Event at the Maine Lobster Festival
The fun begins at 10am August 1, 2026!
This year’s theme is Rockland: Rise and Renewal.
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 on August 1, 2026, on Main Street in Rockland.
For many years, the parade has drawn the largest crowd of the week, and often proves to be among the longest 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, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, and “The Band” Marching Unit.
This year’s Grand Marshal is local historian and author John Bird, with a theme for Saturday’s big parade of “Rockland: Rise and Renewal.” Also, the title of Bird’s 2019 book, this theme will celebrate both Bird’s 500-word tome and the history of our community in the wake of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
He grew up in Rockland, graduated from Rockland High School on Lincoln Street in the 1950s, and met his wife, Mary Alice, while working at the Samoset. After a 30-year career in education at schools around the country, John and Mary Alice returned to the Midcoast.
Since then, they have been very active members of the community. Bird worked for years keeping the health care system local and was a major fundraiser for the Rockland Public Library expansion. He has been an active member of many local and regional boards and committees, including the Lincoln Street Center and the Rockland Historical Society. In 2023, John was awarded the Heritage Preservation Award from the Pen Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce.
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, 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.
2026 Big Parade Winners
Judge’s Choice – Baltimore Twilight
Antique Vehicle – Owls Head Transportation Museum
Commercial – North Atlantic Gymnastics Academy
Non-Profit – Elks
Marching Band– Dunlap Highland Band
Music Performance – Aidan Kaczynski / Breakwater Design & Build
Theme – Good Tern Co-op
Honorable Mention – SaltWater Fields Wedding & Event Barn
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
