Parade Theme - 2017: "Its a Pet-riotic 4th!"
	2017 Grand Marshal Chubbs, An All American Dog, will lead the 2017 Thomaston 4th of July parade as the grand marshal to represent the parade theme, "Its a Pet -riotic 4th!"	2016 Grand Marshals Daughters of Lura Libby, Kathleen (Libby) Anderson and Nancy (Libby) Barrett lead the 2016 Thomaston 4th of July parade as the grand marshals in honor of their mother, Lura Libby. The Lura Libby grammar school closed this year. The 2016 theme was "Hometown Proud - Hometown Talent." 2015 Grand Marshal: John Vigue heads up the 2015 parade with the theme of "May the 4th Be With You!" Grand Marshal in 2012, with the parade theme of "Once Upon A Time...", was Beniah C. Harding Ben Harding, the 2012 Grand Marshal, has many stories to tell. U.S. House Representative Chellie Pingree recently delivered several medals to Harding for his services in World War II. He was active in civic duties after retiring from a career at the cement plant. At age 94, as a long time member, Harding continues to regularly attend the Thomaston Federated Church. He enjoys participating in community activities and corresponding with people everywhere. Grand Marshals in 2011 were members of the first graduating class of G.V.H.S. Here are stories of Grand Marshals from Thomaston's 2010 4th of July Celebration. They are examples in Thomaston, Maine, of how "People Make the Difference", that year's theme.. Pete Lammert, Gwen Ranquist, and A. Mason Johnson, were Grand Marshals that year. Pete Lammert, a state forester, worked for years to save Thomaston's elm trees, and rebuild the heritage of magnificent tree lined streets. He witnessed the felling of Maine's last surviving elm tree, Herbie, and had a first hand look at Herbie's tree rings. The counting of the rings finally revealed the tree's true age. Lammert serves on the town board of selectman. He is also responsible for the awe inspiring displays of fireworks at Thomaston's Independence Day celebrations. This year he was awarded the "Community Person of the Year" award by Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce. Gwen Ranquist has been working for many years running the Thomaston Interchurch Fellowship Food Pantry at Watts Hall. This involves procuring food to stock the pantry, ensuring the appropriate storage and distribution of food and keeping up with required paperwork. Fifty years ago A. Mason Johnson was was one of the youngest to be elected to Thomaston's Board of Selectmen. Currently he serves on the Budget Committee. He has served 16 years on the Knox County Commission, of which seven were as chairman. For 28 years Johnson ran the Agway Store on West Meadow Road. He also ran a dairy for 45 years. As a retiree he is working part-time as an employee at Walmart. These three residents of Thomaston Maine prove on a daily basis that life in a small Maine town depends upon the security of knowing that "People Make the Difference".

Past Grand Marshals of Thomaston Maine 4th of July, 1999-2014, (fifteen years).

Compiled by Catinka Knoth, 3/5/15

2014

The Grand Marshal will be Leeanne Upham and maybe her husband, John, too. 2014

2013 Henry & Lucy Carey

2012

Ben Harding, the 2012 Grand Marshal - Beniah C. Harding

2011

Grand Marshals - Beverly Jacobs Emerson and Eileen Beckett, GVHS class of '64.

2010

The Grand Marshals for Thomaston's 2010 Independence Day Celebration represent the many ways in which "People Make the Difference". Pete Lammert, Gwen Ranquist, and A. Mason Johnson, are Grand Marshals this year.

2009

War veterans from the past 60 years will be Grand Marshals 2009 Grand Marshals - most will ride in Lyman Morse boat New entrant - Gary Houtsma - 93 year old, 30 year veteran of Coast Guard. Julie... 2009

2008

Leo brothers were having confusion over where they'll ride. It seems to be taken care of. There was joking over their not believing for several months that they were the Grand Marshals because they suspected pranking.

2007

Americas Favorite Past Time. This is to celebrate Americas popular sport of baseball and the areas Little League teams.

The baseball couple

Grand Marshals will be Dana and Donnalene Verge of Thomaston. ref 6/07 Thom town newsletter

2006

Thomaston to laud local pastor at Fourth parade - Bangor ... www.highbeam.com ... Bangor Daily News (Bangor, ME) July 2006 Jul 1, 2006 - Thomaston's Fourth of July. ... Wayne Sawyer is blessed with the title. Sawyer ... I'm surprised," Sawyer said of being chosen for grand marshal.

BUT???:

Luthera Dawson??? died 2011 at 100 yrs. obit portland press herald http://obituaries.pressherald.com/obituaries/mainetoday-pressherald/obituary.aspx?n=luthera-hilt-burton-dawson&pid=152324038

Catinka Knoth's note - I wrote press release on Sawyer that year. He was the marshal. don't know where this L. Dawson info is from. Maybe she was in'96, way before my time?

****????****

The town of Thomaston named her Grand Marshal of the Fourth of July Parade in 2006. - See more at: http://obituaries.pressherald.com/obituaries/mainetoday-pressherald/obituary.aspx?n=luthera-hilt-burton-dawson&pid=152324038#sthash.O8XkuDVI.dpuf

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2005

(1605 Weymouth landing & boat)

The big parade rolls down Main Street at 11 a.m. with a boat as its grand marshal this year. A replica of the boat that Capt. George Waymouth of England built on Monhegan Island to venture up the St. George River in 1605 will honor the late captain, who landed on Maines shores 400 years ago. (BDN)

2004

The Grand Marshal is Billy Adams, retired fire chief. 2004 (tie a yellow ribbon, theme)

Former Fire Chief Bill Adams recently retired from the department after some 30 years of service the last five as chief.(BDN)

2003

The parade grand marshals for 2003 will represent each war World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War and Iraq.

A seventh and empty convertible driven in the parade will be behind the various representatives, honoring those who sacrificed their lives, Erickson said. (BDN)

2002

Philbrooks ndc in the parade as the Grand Marshals of 2002. June 3.2002 Thomaston 4th of July Grand Marshals Leroy and Louise Philbrook

2001

Emil Rode has helped many people with his work at the food pantry. Thomaston congratulates Emil on being named the Grand Marshal of the 2001 Fourth of July Parade

2000

Joe Mayo

1999

William Wallace

"Bill was Grand Marshal of the Fourth of July parade, riding in a World War II"

online obit - http://www.bchfh.com/book-of-memories/995288/Wallace-William/obituary.php?Printable=true

Past Parade Themes
Compiled by Catinka Knoth 3/8/15

2014 
Friday, July 4th. Parade theme this year is "Made in the
U.S.A.!".



2013 
Thursday, July 4th. Parade theme this year is "The Carnival is Back in Town!"


2012 
Wednesday, July 4th. Parade theme this year is "Once Upon a Time", celebrating stories of all kinds.

2011 
Monday, July 4th. Parade theme this year is "GVHS Yearbooks", in honor of the local highschool which is closing with the redistricting.

2010 
Saturday, July 3rd. Parade theme this year is "People Make The Difference"

2009 
Saturday, July 4th. This year's theme is "The Town That STILL Goes to Sea".

2008 
Friday, July 4th. This year's theme is "Our Town Volunteers".


2007
Wednesday, July 4th. This year's theme is "Baseball, America's Favorite Pastime".

2006
"Stars and Stripes Forever"


2005
George Weymouth Landing - 400 year anniversary

2004 
tie a yellow ribbon

2003
In remembrance of those who could not be with us

2002
American pride and 225 years – Thomaston

2001

"Sweet 225". In honor of our country's 225th birthday