Maine News Updates

AUGUSTA - Thousands of spectators and hundreds of participants turned out for Augusta's Fourth of July parade today.

It's the parade that persevered, not to be stopped by budget cuts or threats of thunderstorms. Rain which has made for a wet summer so far didn't materialize and the parade stayed dry under a mixture of sun and clouds.

City officials had initially proposed cutting funds for the parade as part of a package of cuts to help close a large budget gap.

Cutting funding for the parade would have saved between $8,000 and $10,000. However city funding for the traditional Fourth of July parade was restored after councilors objected to the cut. And the parade went on, leaving from Shaw's parking lot, traveling down Western Avenue, through downtown on Water Street, and across the river to Old Fort Western.

"I'm so glad they had it, it's something I love to come to with my kids," said Alice Bolduc, of Palermo, as her two red, white and blue-clad kids, Logen, 2, and Maryssa, 5 watched the parade pass by their spot on Water Street.

It was Logen's first parade, most of which he watched sitting on a bench inside his red Radio Flyer wagon. His older sister stayed on her feet, collecting candy as parade particpants threw it from floats.

Events continue this afternoon with activities at Old Fort Western and fireworks over the waterfront planned tonight.