Sat, 08/05/2023 - 12:11

Sarah Thompson

The “Spirit of 76” theme comes in many forms during the 2023 Maine Lobster Festival Parade, Aug. 5, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Thompson)

(Photo by Sarah Thompson)

Grand Marshals Robert Oxton and Sharon Lombardo. (Photo by Sarah Thompson)

(Photo by Sarah Thompson)

Second Delegate Autumn Oxton rides the final float, pulled by the Oxton pickup truck. (Photo by Sarah Thompson)

(Photo by Sarah Thompson)

The “Spirit of 76” theme comes in many forms during the 2023 Maine Lobster Festival Parade, Aug. 5, 2023. (Photo by Sarah Thompson)

(Photo by Sarah Thompson)

Grand Marshals Robert Oxton and Sharon Lombardo. (Photo by Sarah Thompson)

(Photo by Sarah Thompson)

Second Delegate Autumn Oxton rides the final float, pulled by the Oxton pickup truck. (Photo by Sarah Thompson)

(Photo by Sarah Thompson)

As this year’s Grand Marshals, siblings Robert Oxton and Sharon Lombardo graced a backseat within the lead vehicles of the 76th Maine Lobster Festival parade, Saturday, Aug. 5. And in parade that tends to be a mile and a half long, and take upwards of 90 minutes to get the final float through the finish, the Oxton pickup truck bringing up the rear brought thoughts of the siblings full circle.

Heavily involved with the Lobster Festival for many years, Oxton and his pickup truck are known to pull the photo-op lobster that is a staple of the parade, the fairgrounds, and beyond.

This year, the ten a.m. parade was preceded by overnight rains, early morning fog, and temperatures increasing into the mid 60s by midmorning.

Navy sailors from the USS Gunston Hall marched in the parade, as did the Coast Guard, and local police and fire departments.

Spiderman was not here this year, but McGruff the Crime Dog, Slugger the Sea Dog, and the mascot for the Maine Celtics joined other familiar characters along the route.

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