Do You Remember the Maine State Parade Held in Lewiston Every Summer?

It was a yearly tradition in the '80s and '90s and at the time, it was the largest parade in the state. The Maine State Parade was something we haven't seen the likes of in Lewiston-Auburn since the Maine Bicentennial Parade in August of 2021.

This parade was a huge deal. WCSH, today known as News Center Maine, broadcast this massive parade much like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, with live coverage and commentary by Bruce Glacier and Peggy Keyser.

People would line Main Street in Lewiston to watch the parade that featured marching bands, dancers, decorated floats, and costumed characters. Even our radio stations, WHOM, Q97.9, and WBLM, would be a part of the Maine State Parade.

Kids and adults alike loved this parade, and with WCSH's live broadcast, everyone in the state with a TV could watch it at home if they couldn't make it to Lewiston.

Trying to find a video of the Maine State Parade on YouTube is difficult. Even trying to get a history of the parade is impossible with a Google search. What I did find, however, was a WCSH promo for their broadcast of the Maine State Parade in 1988. It of course featured file videos of previous parades, but this gives you an idea of what this amazing parade looked like.

Keep an eye out for Bill Green, Joe Cupo, and what appears to be Patsy Wiggins in the parade in a horse and buggy.

I can't remember what it was that caused the end of the Maine State Parade, but what Lewiston-Auburn needs this coming summer is to have a parade of the magnitude of the Maine State Parade. Rather than celebrate the entire state, it should honor the victims and their families, as well as the entire Lewiston-Auburn area with a big parade that we'll never forget.