ROCKPORT — Sometimes, a town just feels like having a parade, and inviting everyone after it for a bowl of ice cream. Rockport was that kind of town July 30, closing down its main drags through the village to traffic and filling the streets with color guards, theater, floats and festive cheers to their fellow citizens.

The parade was part of the weeklong Rockport 125th Anniversary Celebration — its quasquicecentennial — that began Friday evening, July 29, with a Firefighters’ Ball at the Samoset Resort, and events that will continue through the week, culminating Aug. 7 with the Goose River Bridge Dinner, an outdoor community dinner.

The parade represented the best of Rockport, with its businesses and nonprofits decorating floats and trucks, the fire engines rolling through the town (accompanied by Appleton, Camden, Hope and Lincolnville engines), artists, veterans and dignitaries all taking the time to honor the town.

Click here for even more parade photos)

Last February, Rockport marked the anniversary of its 1891 separation from Camden with pomp and ceremony, as well as three days of fun that included a Blood Feud Blood Drive, Fireside Chat with Elders, dinner, children's theater and dance.(See Rockport celebrates with heart and soul)

The rest of the Celebrate Rockport summer schedule is as follows (For up-to-date details, visit Facebook.com/Rockport125 or http://www.town.rockport.me.us):

Aug. 4

Jam and Sing-a-Long in the Barn with Miners Creek Band, at Barnswallow Books, 166 Russell Ave, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Miners Creek Band and Barnswallow books will host an evening of home grown music. The evening will include a bluegrass jam and sing-a-long. All acoustic instruments and skill levels are welcome.

Don’t play an instrument? Attend anyway to hear great music and sing along. Miners Creek will be leading a sing-a-long of old work songs from the early days when folks used song to aid in the sailing of ships and sowing of fields. Light refreshments will be provided by Barnswallow Books. The event is free. For more information, email MinersCreekBand@gmail.com

Aug. 7

11 a.m.: Cardboard Box Boat Race, Goodie's Beach, Marine Park. Guidelines for this special and creative event will be soon available at the Rockport Harbor Master's office at Marine Park. Stay tuned for details.

5 p.m.: Jazz on the Water, a free concert at Rockport Marine Park, courtesy of Bay Chamber Concerts and in memory of Irene and Billy Wolf.


Featuring the Creative Ensemble Collective with with saxophonist Donny McCaslin, this free outdoor jazz performance begins at 5 p.m.

Donny McCaslin was a David Bowie collaborator  and will perform with an ensemble of artists from around the world brought together by the  Creative Ensemble Collective, a nonprofit fostering exceptional and diverse music.

The program will feature a number of original compositions that have been developed over the past three years at workshops around the globe, with a selection of standards from the Great American Song Book. Contact info@baychamberconcerts.org or visit baychamberconcerts.org

6 to 9 p.m.: Goose River Bridge Dinner. Tickets, at $35 per person, are now on sale for this unique catered community dinner that will take place outdoors, on the bridge. Get tickets now, because they are going fast, at the town office, or online at at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2569858.