DEAR SUN SPOTS: The advertising for the Moxie parade calls it the “longest” and “largest” parade in the state? Is this really true?

I would guess they are measuring longest by mileage. I am not sure if they are measuring largest by number of parade entries or number of parade spectators.

I certainly enjoy the Moxie parade, as so many others do, but it seems like there are many other parades in Maine that might be longer and larger, such as the Yarmouth Clam Festival parade, Bath Heritage Days parade, the Lobster Festival parade in Rockland, a few in Bangor or maybe others? 

Is there any way to verify the Moxie advertising claim to see if it is valid or not? Thank you. — Curious Spectator

ANSWER:  For answers to this question and the next, also about the Moxie parade, Sun Spots turned to Parade Chairwoman Gina Mason, who wrote:

“Our parade is 1½ to 1¾ hours in duration. There are about 40,000 in the crowd estimates, and we have some of the best entries available. We also have many dignitaries who attend many parades every year, and they have told us it is the largest and best-all-around parade they attend.

“So I guess it is possible that it is a matter of opinion. If you viewed our parade this year, you have to admit it had a very positive showing!”

Sun Spots googled “largest parade in Maine” and got plenty of takers, so it does seem that it is subjective.

In order for something to be categorically the biggest and the best, you’d need to have a ratings agency, such as a nonprofit association or government agency. Sun Spots didn’t find such a group in Maine, so she guesses you will just have to attend all the parades and decide for yourself.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: A question regarding the Moxie parade, which we were discussing in the office this morning. We have attended for the past few years and have noticed fairly large gaps in the parade between the floats and various parade entries. You don’t see this with other parades as much.

This year, it was quite noticeable, and many people watching the parade left part way through, believing the parade was done. I recall after the Kora Temple motorcycles, we did not see anything else coming. Many people around us stepped into Main Street looking for the rest of the parade, and we could not see anything down the street, so many people left.

We then finally saw a gentleman dressed as a patriot character carrying a sign coming down the street, and someone asked him if he was part of the parade and if more was behind him. He told us there was, and finally after a while more came — a girls’ dance group (or cheerleading group?), Eliot Cutler, Kora mini race cars, some beauty pageant winners, etc.

It was such a shame that so many spectators left the route thinking the parade was done. But with such large gaps, who could blame them? Apparently this is common at Moxie, which is a shame.

Is there any way to prevent this — a more efficient or different parade lineup? There was gentleman next to us who advised us not to leave, saying the parade isn’t done “because the firetrucks have not come by yet, and firetrucks always end every parade.” And he was right!

Glad we waited along the sides to see the rest of the parade. Such a shame that the floats take so much time to prepare, and many were not there to see them. — No Name via email

ANSWER: Gina also answered your question:

“The parade enters onto Route 196 one unit after another; there are no gaps or hesitations at that point. As the parade continues, some units fall behind because units such as the Kora units and others move at a faster pace.

“Walking units are often where our problem lies. Having a parade monitor every couple of units would be ideal, but our resources are very limited, as the entire festival runs on a very small group of volunteers.”

Perhaps some parade lovers might want to volunteer to help next year?

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