WINSLOW — People cheered when the Winslow Family 4th of July parade arrived around 11 a.m. Monday on Benton Avenue near Bridge Street.

Parade participants seemed as excited to see Roger Poulin holding a garden hose on an adjacent lawn.

The fog had burned off, the sun shone brightly and Shriners, Boy Scouts, marchers, dancers and baton twirlers were more than ready for a blast of cool water as they neared the end of the parade route.

Several marchers asked “Where’s that hose?” after cresting the small hill by the Winslow Fire Department; more than a few momentarily left their formations to enjoy the spray.

Dylan Brown and Lindsay Cormier also helped keep the large crowd cool; they buzzed along the route in an all-terrain vehicle loaded with bottles of water for sale.

Brown said profits from the sales of the $1.75 bottles of water went to the Winslow Fire Department.

Parade-goers with cash on hand likely didn’t go hungry on either, as before the start of the parade, Mike Cardella and Christian Whitney sold cotton candy from a makeshift portable contraption.

The friends said they hoped to sell 600 bags at $3 apiece.

“It was absolutely hectic,” said Cardella referring to making and bagging the sugary mixture the night before. “But it’s been fun.”

A musical melody emanating from Kevin Ryan’s ice cream truck announced the arrival of frosty treats all along the avenue.

Snow cones, he said, were particularly popular, as were the funny face treats of Shrek, Bugs Bunny, Batman and Spiderman.

Employees from McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Friendly’s gave out coupons to their respective restaurants and hula-hooping representatives from Curves Fitness Center handed out brochures with coupons for low-calorie products.

Personnel from the United States Navy marched with a large U.S. flag and members of the U.S. Army Airborne, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Dirigo U.S. Ranger Cadets closely followed.

Batman and Spiderman walked the route, as did the Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam.

Uncle Sam operated one of the Granite Leisure Time remote-controlled cars that sped, squealed its tires and launched off a ramp attached to the back of a float.

The daring Anah Shriners also darted along the route performing tricks in their decorated mini trucks, mini cars and go-karts.

Large contingents from the Young Americans Dance Center and Central Maine Twirling Corps respectively tapped and twirled their way along the avenue and an Elvis impersonator, slated to perform at 12:30 p.m. at Fort Halifax park, gave parade-goers a sneak preview as he performed atop a float.

Hiram and Carol Cochran from Augusta took in the sights and sounds of Independence Day from their lawn chairs near the Winslow Fire Department.

“It’s a wonderful parade,” said Carol Cochran, who brought a book to read while waiting for the morning festivity to commence.

“I’m doing a little of both (reading and people-watching). People-watching is fun.”

The Cochrans said they arrived at 9:30 a.m. for the parade, which was slated to start at 9:45 a.m.

Josh Fates wasn’t taking any chances. He arrived at 6 a.m. to save prime seating space for friends and family. He said other early risers started rolling in around 6:30 a.m.

Beth Staples — 861-9252

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