By SANDY McGEE

CUMBERLAND — Whether attending for the first time or the 30th, many families celebrated Independence Day with a bang at the Arnold Mills Fourth of July Parade.

The parade, a town tradition for more than 80 years, kicked off Friday morning on Nate Whipple Highway.
This year’s patriotic theme was entitled “Land of the Free Because of the Brave,” which was accentuated with many marchers and spectators decked in red, white and blue.
Eight-year-old Victoria Rose Rezza of North Attleboro attended the event dressed in an Uncle Sam hat and matching patriotic clothing.
“It was my idea,” she said about the attire. “I think it’s cool to celebrate America.”
Many militia groups and colonial re-enactors were also present at Friday’s celebration, including the Uxbridge Grenadiers, a fife and drum company, and the Rehoboth Minutemen of 1774. Children and adults covered their ears against the loud bangs created by the muskets of militia soldiers.
Ron Dufault Jr. of Cumberland, a member of the Living History Association, marched in the parade dressed as a 1945 Army serviceman. “We are honoring veterans today,” he said.
Many spectators lined the streets under the cover of umbrellas or canopy.
“Rain or shine, we’re here,” said Cumberland Town Councilor Bruce Lemois, who attended the event with his wife, Maria; son, Brandon; and his grandson and first time parade participant, Sean James Lemois.
Many young children attended the town tradition for the first time this year, including four-year-old Mason Foss of Cumberland; three-year-old Ryan Brooks, Lincoln; and 11-month-old Matthew Hanley of Cumberland.
“My favorite part of the parade is the fire trucks,” said Hanley’s five-year-old sister, Jessica.
“I look forward to this every year,” said Renée Conway of Cumberland, who has attended the parade for about 20 years. “It’s a town tradition.”
Conway, whose husband is a Cumberland firefighter, said she would attend the event rain or shine.
Also attending was Cumberland Town Councilor Jason B. Kirkpatrick, who attended with his wife, Carol; twin sons, Evan and Ryan, both age 6; and daughter, Julia, 9.
“Every year, it gets bigger and bigger,” Kirkpatrick said.
Cumberland native Jeanne Racquier traveled across the country this year for the parade with her husband, Air Force Master Sgt. Matthieu Racquier, a Central Falls native.
“We came all the way from St. Antonio, Texas,” said Jeanne Racquier. “Every year, we come back to town for the parade. It represents our town. It brings us a piece of home.”
Louise Massey of Cumberland has attended the Arnold Mills parade for more than 50 years. “We’ve been attending for many moons,” she said. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
Accompanying Massey were 85 year old Pauline Capen and 68 year old Dolores Gaspar, both of Pawtucket.
Many large wheel tractors, both antique and modern, were seen throughout the event, including a restored 1936 tractor from Cumberland.
“It (the tractor) was my grandfather’s,” said its driver, Adam Ray of Cumberland. “The tractor has been from Cumberland for a long time.”
This was Ray’s first time participating in the parade. The tractor also towed a wagon transporting other members of the Ray family and first time participants: Andrew, age 2; Jake, 8; Brady, 4; Maggie, 2; Adam’s wife, Kristen; and Dan Ray, all of Cumberland.
Also featured in the parade were many floats, including one with a spinning wind turbine and environmental friendly sign reading “Bike to Work, Save Gas.”
Following the float were Cumberland fire trucks, antique automobiles, walkers with candy, a brass band and a truck decorated with gigantic glasses and an enormous nose like the watchful sign in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”
Woman and men from Club Juventude Lusitana in Cumberland marched wearing brightly colored green and blue apparel, while the Cumberland Hill School’s Drama Club presented a “wicked” float, featuring Dorothy and other characters and elements of “The Wizard of Oz.”
Another float featured the Arnold Mills District School of 1828 complete with schoolhouse and children dressed in the era’s classroom attire.
Also featured in the parade were the Cumberland Crimestoppers’ float; Boys and Girls Scouts; the Cumberland Colts’ football float; the Cumberland-Lincoln Community Chorus; and the Community School float.
The parade also included the Cycling Murrays, who performed tricks on unicycles; the Cumberland Public Library’s float, featuring brightly colored flowers and children dressed as bees; the Hills-Mills Clown Band of Fall River, Mass.; bands performing patriotic music; and more.
“It was fun,” said Bill Menard of Cumberland. “We had a good time.”
“We had a great time,” Racquier said. “No matter where we live next year, we’ll be back.”