Spirit Of America Sums Up 2003 Season

Click the photograph repeatedly to see additional pictures!

by Esther J. Perne

Small town celebration, flags flying, children smiling, adult onlookers thinking thankfully -- this we still have, the basic family outing, the energy of community services and volunteers, the slowing of pace the taking of time for neighborliness.

Chicken barbecue put on by the fire department, homemade pie, kids games, parade, and at day's end, fireworks: these represent a nostalgic past, a hopeful future, a common link that runs across the states and remains strong throughout this region.

On Labor Day, Monday, September 1, the annual Farmingdale Spirit of America "Friendship" Labor Day Parade will be held, 10 a.m., rain or shine. It's one final celebration of many this summer that have represented basic, hometown qualities, and it's one that also recalls what once used to be a significant, truly end-of-the-summer holiday.

This will be Farmingdale's sixth annual parade and celebration; it's third fireworks. A good time . . . meeting new friends . . . visiting with old ones . . . and recognizing that Farmingdale and its surrounding towns are very special because of their people and their community spirit.

2003 was a season, still is a season of bicentennial observations, family festivals, downtown events, and enjoyable organization and group activities. For the last long weekend of the summer, the Spirit of America celebration sums it up.

Farmingdale is on Route 201 along the Kennebec River south of Augusta/Hallowell on the way to Gardiner. The parade starts at the Hall-Dale School and ends at D.N.K. Used Cars.

Click the photograph repeatedly to see more pictures. There are four in all!