Everyone loves a parade! In Millinocket’s early days the largest parade of the year took place on Labor Day. The local mill union representatives paraded down Penobscot Avenue wearing their union badges and carrying union flags and banners. The Millinocket Band would then lead the way up and down various streets, ending at the ball field. Rival teams, Millinocket and East Millinocket, would then participate in a high-spirited baseball game.
The Millinocket Historical Society 2022 calendar is now available! The cost is $14 each at the museum (+ $5 each mailed). The theme is…you guessed it….Everyone Loves a Parade! The cover features several young boys and girls representing the various town playgrounds. July 4th, Memorial Day and Labor Day parades are remembered with vintage photos. Those were not the only days that Millinocket celebrated with a parade of some kind. Thus this calendar has photo collages that include some of the lesser known parades. We think you will enjoy it!
There are parades of snowmobiles, circus wagons and vintage cars and other transports. Pictured are crepe paper covered floats, baby carriages and bicycles. We didn’t forget the fire trucks and there’s even an early horse-drawn hearse! There are canoes on Millinocket Stream, and all the marching groups (Katahdin Rangers, Northern Knights, Pink Panthers, SHS band and Millinocket Band). December photos are from the Santa Claus parade. Pick up a calendar for 2022 and take a trip down memory lane because…everybody loves a parade!
New items donated to the museum include documents (GNP and B & A RR, 1970’s) for use and maintenance of a railroad crossing plus use of unusable railroad cars for storage and rent for an office at the station (donor Nick LaCombe). Similar agreements (GNP and Maine Central RR) to build and maintain a loading platform at #4 Kineo Station, 1917 (donor Stan Waterhouse).
Donations continue to be varied and unusual. New items include an Anah Temple wooden platter from a 1950’s Millinocket event (Dick Bishop); Fuller Furniture coupon books (Sandy Haynes); and an SJ Hikel Pool Hall token worth 5 cents in merchandise (Peter Hikel). Many businesses used tokens, coupon books or other methods to bring in business. Another new item is a 1930’s photo of a group of Aroostook Avenue school boys in front of the school (sent from Michigan by 90+ year old Warren Tibbitts. It’s a great photo…see it in the new calendar!
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