THOMASTON - There were hundreds of parade viewers, many dressed in red, white, and blue, packed into downtown Thomaston on the Fourth of July to celebrate America’s 250 birthday.

The theme of the 2026 parade was “250 years of Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights.” The parade included more than 70 registered participants (up from 43 in 2025) representing historical figures, veterans, first responders, businesses, churches, politicians, bands, and officials from the Lobster Festival and Maine Wild Blueberry Festival.

The 2026 parade coordinator, Jen Eustis, said the parade is like throwing a “humongous party.”

And with the support of a dedicated all volunteer committee it was quite a successful event to say Happy Birthday, America. 

Thomaston parade officials:

Roberta Carmichael, 2026 Parade Grand Marshal

Biographies are provided by the Town of Thomaston:

“A few people quietly make a community stronger every single day, and this year’s Thomaston Independence Day Celebration is proud to recognize one of those individuals.

Our 2026 Independence Day Marshal, Roberta Carmichael, has devoted more than 13 years to serving neighbors through her dedicated work with the local food pantry. Through thoughtful planning, careful stewardship, and an unwavering commitment to helping others, she has helped ensure that families throughout our community have access to essential items when they need them most.

Roberta’s generosity reaches far beyond what many people ever see. She has a remarkable ability to make every donation go further and is always seeking opportunities to provide even more for those facing difficult times. Though she rarely seeks recognition, she has never hesitated to advocate for the pantry and help connect community members with the support available to them.

Her compassion, humility, and steadfast commitment embody the spirit of service that makes Thomaston such a special place to call home. For more than a decade, she has worked quietly and selflessly to strengthen our community, asking for little in return.

It is our privilege to honor Roberta Carmichael as the 2026 Thomaston Independence Day Marshal and to thank her for the lasting impact she has made through over 13 years of kindness, dedication, and care for others.”

Mr. Thomaston 2026

“Jackson Russomano is a recent honors graduate of Oceanside High School, where he graduated cum laude. He also completed the Outdoor Leadership Program at Mid-Coast School of Technology and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society.

Jackson has dedicated many hours to serving his community, including helping build the staging area for the Thomaston Fourth of July celebration grounds. He has been actively involved with Trekkers as both a member of Team Crux and a volunteer leader for Team Meridian. He also co-hosts a radio show on WRFR 93.3 FM every Saturday at noon.

In his free time, Jackson enjoys spending time with friends and being outdoors, hiking, camping, and snowboarding. He is currently employed at Trackside Station and will attend University of Maine this fall, where he plans to study Environmental Sciences.”

Ms. Thomaston 2026

“Autumn Hill is a compassionate, creative, and adventurous 17-year-old whose passions span the arts, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. An accomplished competitive swimmer, dedicated theater performer, and talented studio artist, she has distinguished herself through her commitment to both personal excellence and meaningful involvement in the world around her.

A lover of nature, hiking, writing, and the beach, Autumn draws inspiration from the outdoors and channels that inspiration into her artistic and academic pursuits. Known for her kindness, sense of humor, and thoughtful approach to life, she is also an active advocate for causes she believes in, using her voice to support positive change.

This fall, Autumn will attend Bennington College to study Environmental Science and Studio Art, combining her dedication to environmental sustainability with her passion for creative expression. She looks forward to continuing her exploration of the natural world through both scientific inquiry and artistic practice while making a meaningful impact in her community and beyond.

Hometown Hero - Muriel Knutson 

A photo and bio were not provided.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com