Phillips parade honoree is Sheriff Pike

PHILLIPS – The surprise of who the honored person at the Phillips Old Home Days parade was a well kept secret.

So well kept, in fact, that not even the person who has led the parade for 49 of its 50 years didn’t even know. Franklin County’s Sheriff Dennis Pike, who has led the parade for all those 49 years was chosen to be the honored person at the 50th Phillips Old Home Days parade tonight.

Riding next to Chief Deputy Ray Meldrum in the lead police cruiser – this time a vintage Chevrolet patrol car with “Special Services” noted on the sides – Pike got out on Main Street and waved to the crowd as parade announcer Gilbert Reed explained this was Pike’s 49th parade lead in Phillips and that the one year he missed was when, “he was called out and couldn’t attend.”

Thanking everyone for the honor, Pike said he hoped there would be 50 more then looked over at his wife Sheila and said she should share the honor because it was she who let him attend the parade every year.

The hour-long parade, with a theme of “50 Years of Memories,” brought out native American portrayals and hippies, “remembering when…” and playing 1960’s music from decorated cars.

The activities continue through the weekend:

Saturday, August 16th

6:00 a.m. -11:00 p.m. Breakfast with Sandy River Flying Club: Lindberg Airport
9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. NEW!!! Craft/Artisan Fair: Trecartin Park. Call 639-4118 to reserve your space, spaces are limited.
9:00 a.m. Paul G. Whittemore Road Race: Main Street. Register early in front of the Phillips Hardware, all ages welcome. Sponsored by Kinney Construction & Bruce Manzer, Inc.
Lumbering Competition: North Franklin Park “Bring Those Chainsaws!”Bucksaw, crosscut saw, dot split competition and more. Men & women compete! Call Tim FMI 639-2025. Sponsored by E.R. Caton & Son Trucking.
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. New!!! Madrid Historical Society: Madrid, Maine. Come see displays of The Madrid School.
10:00 a.m. – Noon: Phillips Historical House: Located on Pleasant Street. Come see all the exhibits and learn history.
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Narrow Gauge Quilters: Congregational Church. See all the wonderful quilts on display.
10:30 a.m. Bicycle Race: Sign up in front of the Library. Ages 0-17. Early registration is helpful. All entrants will be signed up to win a bicycle, two bikes have been donated by Steve & Mary White. Sponsored by Steve White’s Plumbing.
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Flower & Garden Show: Phillips Public Library. Sponsored by the Conservation Commission (pick up arrangements between 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.)
Giant Book Sale: Phillips Public Library
1:00 p.m. Horse Pulling: North Franklin Park. Sponsored in part by “Tuttles Auto Sales” our friend “AL”
Kids Frog Jumping Contest: Avon Mall, Rte 4. Bring your own FROG!!! Kirby will have frogs available for those who don’t. Sponsored by Avon Mall. FMI 639-3264. $5.00 Entrance Fee to the North Franklin Park on Saturday (Under 12 free)

Sunday, August 17th

6:00 a.m.- 11:00 p.m. Breakfast with Sandy River Flying Club: Lindbergh Airport.
9:00 a.m. Chicken Shoot: North Franklin Park. No, it’s not really chickens! Stop by and check it out. Sponsored by North Franklin Sportsman Club.
9:30 a.m. Sunday School: Lighthouse Christian Church.
11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. Sunday Services: Lighthouse Christian Church.
11:00 a.m. Bob Parkers Children’s Parade: Main Street. Sponsored by the “Red Hat Has Beens” & The Phillips. Shared Ministry Womens Group. All drawings and raffles will be drawn after the childrens parade. Rain location: Alumni Gym on Depot Street.
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Train Rides: Dill Woods.
Noon. Bill Robichaud Memorial Volleyball Tournament: North Franklin Park. Register at 11:30 a.m. $15.00/ Team. Contact Nancy FMI 639-3033
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Phillips Historical House: Pleasant Street. Come see the exhibits and learn history.
1:00 p.m. Duck Derby: The bridge in town. Ducks may be purchased at the Phillips Public Library. Sponsored by Phillips Public Library.