“Fairy Tales” is the Fourth of July theme for 2013. For various reasons, we couldn’t manage a town voting this year, so the committee picked the theme. It is one that, in the past, has received numerous votes.

There are many ways to portray this theme. We hope to see many creative floats in the parade this year. It is a fun family activity and also good publicity for your club, business, or organization. Remember, there is prize money for the four best floats. First is $100, second is $75, third is $50, and fourth is $25. Adherence to the theme will be one of the judging criteria.

This year we are also offering prize money for animal and vehicle entries. For each of the two categories, first is $50, second is $30, and third is $20. We hope to see some classy cars, trucks, motorcycles, and tractors as well as some handsome horses, oxen, and other animals.

Four Marching Bands!

We are happy to report that we now have four marching bands for the parade. The Bektash Drum and Bugle Corps, Bluff Point Quohog Diggers Band, New Hampshire Pipe and Drum Band, and the Air National Guard Band of The Northeast will be here. This may be the last time we see the latter band, as the one in New England has been disbanded. A band from Pennsylvania is completing their commitments. In the future, this band will be serving the entire Northeast.

You can also look forward to seeing the Concord Coach make its way down the parade route which, by the way, begins at the Proctor Field House on Field House Lane, off Main Street.

You may register your parade entries on the day of the parade. Remember to bring a copy of your insurance, or have your insurance company send it to jrplmp1234@nullyahoo.com. It just takes a phone call. Parking is limited in the staging area, so only parade entries are allowed.

We encourage the children to participate in the parade by dressing up and decorating their bicycles, carriages, and wagons. The leaders will be giving out ribbons in various age categories.

This year, the parents of children under 18 years old must sign a permission slip for their children to be in the parade (insurance again!). Leaders will have the forms available. Children meet at the ProClaim building, next to Pizza Chef on Main Street, and they join the parade as it comes onto Main Street from North Street.

For those peppier folks, the Firecracker 5K race will be taking registrations at Blackwater Park. The route utilizes the Rail Trail.

We couldn’t start the day without the Andover Lions Club pancake breakfast. You can waddle away from their tables and check out the tables at the flea market on the Village Green. Howard Wilson is in charge and is taking orders for spaces. Call him at 735-5427 and reserve your spot.

Any parade questions, call 735-5493. For other questions, call Bob Ward at 735-5061.