We turned the corner and the activity unfolded before us. Buffed and beautified tractors, decorated trailers and a variety of vehicles lined the street. Costumed people gathered in clusters and one woman practiced pulling a freshly painted metal pig.
“Careful!” someone called out, “It’s still wet under the loins!”
Everyone was getting ready for the annual Bowdoinham Days parade. As we walked past, we waved and called out compliments and greetings. As we passed one festooned “float”, a woman noticed us walking by and said to a nearby child, “Hey, Chase, why don’t you practice throwing them some candy!”
“You want to practice throwing candy at us!? Yes!” I enthused, stopping in my tracks.
Chase leapt into action. He dug his hands into a bucket of candies, then turned and threw a fistful in our direction. I kept my eyes on the trajectory of a golden package of peanut M&Ms and was rewarded as it fell right into my outstretched hand. Yes! I pumped my fist and Chase jumped up and down in delight.
“Thanks!” we called as we continued on our way, heading toward the official parade route.
As we walked, we saw more and more people lining up along the streets. Kids squealed and ran along the sidewalks, jumping up and down in excitement as they greeted their friends. Adults stopped to talk, share their news, and maybe buy a piece of prize-winning pie to support our local school. Everywhere there was such a nice buzz of positive community energy.
Finally, there was a whoop and wail from the escorting police cars, and the parade began. This parade is my favorite thing ever! It’s simply the best. Our town of slightly over 3,000 people has deep agrarian roots and a rich network of active farms. As the tractors trundled down the parade route, they threw some candy, but lots and lots of veggies. This year the choice options were red peppers, carrots and, maybe not so wisely, cherry tomatoes. They also throw marigolds and soon the route was paved with orange petals and flower heads. This year the library stepped up their game and handed out picture books to children. One local farm deviated from the veggie plan and handed out huge glowing sunflowers to spectators. (If you look carefully in the tractor pictures you’ll see flying tomatoes and red peppers!)
And then there are the beloved zucchini races. We weren’t able to stay and see them this year, but stopped by to check out the contestants.
There’s plenty more to do: a chicken run, food trucks, arts and crafts, a fundraising yard sale, lobster crate races, rubber duck racing, live music and fireworks. They were even selling jars of honey harvested from the hives installed outside the local library! It was small town unity and heart on full display, and a most welcome antidote to these divisive times.
Eventually, we walked back up to our home, smiling the whole way, picking up a few lost carrots, and enthusing about what a great morning it had been.
The next evening I made soup with our veggie prizes while the sunflower glowed in my kitchen window.
It was truly a weekend to savor.
Nix the comfort zone 
You capture the spirit of this day so well. I felt like I was right there, catching a piece of candy from Chase! Fav line: Everywhere there was such a nice buzz of positive community energy. Thanks for sharing!
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So glad you could come along! It’s always such a fun, wholesome time!
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I love this picture of small farm town life. How you made soup with your throws! Definitely an antidote to the woes of the world.
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I just finished a bowl of that soup and it was delicious 🙂 , probably even more so because of the context of the day and our vegetable acquisition.
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Thank you, Molly. I love the zucchini races. What a great idea! Another reason to miss Maine!
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The kids are so excited to race their zucchinis. Sadly, there weren’t as many contestants this year because deer invaded the zucchini fields of the local farmer who usually donates a slew of them.
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That picture of the shark zucchini made my day! I loved visiting your hometown with you, and SHOUT OUT to your library for sharing books.
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I loved that one, too! The googly eyed beauty won the “best costume” though. I was thrilled to see them handing out books and the kids were excited, too!
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This sounds like a really good time, and you can get your produce shopping done, too. That pig is too cute. Where you see diversion, I see community, which is what we need now if we’re ever going to get through the malaise. Events like this give me hope.
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I didn’t mention it, but there are political participants in the parade. Our town definitely has a conservative component, but there was lots of cheering when the Democrats marched by and silence for the Republicans. That was a bit heartening, too!
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Forty-three years ago, Hannah and I with Molly (2) and Robyn (four months) moved from the Phoenix, Arizona area with its smog and traffic to New England in January to experience the small town life in New England. One of the all-time great moves that we’ve done. I feel the joy you have for your small town.
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Well, I, for one, am glad that you made that choice! Looking forward to seeing you this weekend.
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Thank you for describing a wonderful small town tradition that sounds like a LOT of fun! The shark zucchini made my day!
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It really is a lot of fun! It’s always a hoot to check out the creative zucchini racers!
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I have to say I’ve never heard of a parade where anything BUT candy was thrown… veggies?? That’s hilarious and so cool! The fact that so many in your community get together for this is heartwarming. I appreciated reading this tonight.
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It really is a good time. The veggies are my favorite part, but the zucchini races are a close second!
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Now that’s a first for me…hearing veggies being tossed to parade patrons…and, I think, one of the coolest ideas. How wonderful for your community to pull together for what sounds like a harvest parade. I enjoyed reading about your adventures along the way and can taste those peanut M&Ms melting in my mouth!
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Obviously, that was supposed to say ‘having veggies tossed’ not hearing them. haha
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I must say that I did enjoy the M&M’s, too!
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This whole post makes my heart so happy…
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It was a bright spot, for sure!
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As I was reading your post, I kept thinking togetherness. It is so nice when we usually see people immersed in their mobiles.
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There really was such a strong, lovely sense of community!
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