TRADITION RENEWED
96th annual Arnold Mills Fourth of July Parade is back in full swing
CUMBERLAND – In the distance an engine roared and a siren began to blare, signaling to the crowd lining the one mile Nate Whipple Highway stretch that Fourth of July festivities were about to commence.
Under the bright blue sky and blazing sun, the 96th annual Arnold Mills Fourth of July Parade took place July 4.
Gathering from all over, hundreds lined the street in red, white, and blue with anticipation for this year’s parade and they were not let down.
In the parade, music rangout from floats, cars, as well as live music by bands, bubbles were blown from all directions, and candy soared through the air. Some sprayed the attendees with water guns only to receive retaliation from the crowd as some brought water guns of their own.
For some, parades make the ideal family tradition and it certainly has become one for the Sears family.
Michelle and Bill Sears, residents of Wrenthem, have come to the parade every year with their kids – Riley, 3, and Owen, 2, with themselves having attended for approximately 15 years.
Michelle said she enjoys the floats and music while Bill said he likes when they fire rifles and cannons.
However, Michelle recalled their time at the parade the previous year when they sat under a tree for some shade, only to be “pooped on” by the insects in the tree after shots rang through the air.
She concluded the insects got scared by the loud sound, adding, “It was a bonding experience with the people next to us.”
Michelle added she appreciated the ability to spread out during the parade because she felt it was safer for her kids.
Riley, who Michelle said was talking about the parade “all day long,” said she was excited to catch candy and see the fire trucks.
Nancy and Ed Roderick sat in the shade on the lawn of Lafayette Lodge with Joan Grosse, Mary Joyce, and Lucille Schmidt – some friends for years and others newly acquainted.
Ed explained he had been coming to the parade since the mid-50s and believes it is “well organized” with a “fantastic” road race and a great way to “make new friends.”
Grosse, a resident of North Attleboro, accompanied by Joyce, her sister who was visiting from Florida, said she was appreciative of the lodge in allowing them to sit on their lawn, use their bathrooms, and even provide handicap parking for those who need it.
Schmidt, a resident of North Attleboro, said this was her first time attending the parade and thought it was a great way to “honor America and the military.”
Bob and Cathy Lanpher, residents of North Attleboro, said they have been coming to the parade every year since the 60s.
Bob said it is a good way for them to “see a lot of friends and neighbors.”
The Lanphers were seated near the church, a move they’ve been making for years due to the concert that used to take place on the lawn following the parade.
Bob said he wished there was more music in the parade, but believes it to be “just the right length.”
Carol Carpenter Anderson said she is 87, but has been coming to the parade since she was four years old.
She explained her family were the owners of the Carpenter’s Apple Farm.
“I loved being a farmer’s daughter,” she said, reminiscing on the time.
Having learned to drive a tractor at the age of 10, Carpenter Anderson said she used to drive one of her farm’s tractors in the parade for years.
Though she said she is still sad the family had to sell the farm after her parents died, she added she will still drive by the farm and appreciate that the new owners have left much of it the same.
Jenny Pimentle attended the parade for the first time with her son Elliot, 3, and her friend’s son Brayden, 3.
Brayden said he liked “the guys that were shooting,” referring to them as “the army,” which was the parade reenactors of the Revolutionary War.
Elliot said he liked the dinosaur that appeared at the start of the parade, but was also bursting with excitement when he saw who he believed to be “Santa Claus.”
Though it was Uncle Sam who he was really seeing, Santa Claus did make an appearance later on in the parade.
It was hard to miss the two boy’s excitement for the parade as Brayden exclaimed, “Here comes the candy, Elliot!”
Pimentle said she was enjoying the parade so far and liked that “everyone is here to have fun.”
Sisters Stephanie Clemente, a resident of Cumberland, and Alexis Coon, a resident of Plymouth, attended the parade with Clemente’s two kids Forrest and Isla.
Clemente said she appreciates the parade and her “kids love it,” but also said it can get a little too loud for her son on occasion as the muskets scare him.
Coon said, “It’s fun,” adding she “came to spend time with her family.”
The sisters’ mother, Laurie Dorsey, a resident of North Providence, was also in attendance.
Dorsey said, “It’s an amazing parade and the longest I’ve ever been to.”
Sara Hanuschak and her father Dave said they have been attending the parade for 32 years.
Though Sara now lives in North Providence, her family still owns their Cumberland house that they have been living in for 27 years.
Dave said his favorite part of the parade is the “Cycling Murrays,” who drive around on various bicycles and unicycles. At first, he said he was a little disappointed the act was not in the parade this year, but moments later, much to his surprise, the Cycling Murrays rounded the corner waving American flags.
According to Joyce Hindle Koutsogianem, president of the parade committee, the winners for this year’s float contest were Jocelyn Art Studio, the Cumberland Junior Clippers football and cheer teams, Franklin Farm, and Aspen Berkley Pack 12, who placed first, second, third, and fourth, respectively.
The float winner for this year’s theme, “Let there be peace,” was Greene-Roy Academy of Irish Dance, according to Hindle Koutsogiane.
The top winner for walkers were the Cumberland Girl Scouts and the top winner for cars and tractors was Staple Road Tractor Club, according to Hindle Koutsogiane.
A new award was presented this year titled the “Steven Kanakry Memorial Award for Motorized Bikes,” which went to the Steven Kanakry memorial float, Hindle Koutsogiane said.
About the parade Hindle Koutsogiane said, “It was one of the longest ones that we’ve had,” adding it was “very, very well attended.”
She said the parade committee continues to accept donations for the parade at Arnold Mills Parade Association, a 501c non profit. The P.O. Box is 7473, Cumberland, Rhode Island 02864.