ROCKLAND — Every year since 1948, dignitaries, Shriners, fire trucks and floats have made their way down Main Street in Rockland to entertain the public during and between Maine Lobster Festival-related meals. In recent years, an average of 100 participating floats, bands, marching units, sea princesses and others make the mile-long, 1.5-hour move through what some participants believe to be the largest parade in Maine.

According to Parade Director Jen Chapman, members of Anah/Kora Shriners have stated their belief of the parade being the largest. Those organizations participate in the Maine Parade Route, attending several events in the state throughout the year.

Bob Oxton, Chapman's "right hand the morning of the parade" told her that last year's parade was the biggest he'd ever seen. Oxton has been working this parade for 20 years.

"I'm pretty sure we're on board to do that again this year," Chapman said about this year's parade, which begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, on North Main Street in Rockland.

One of her tasks is to recruit new and exciting float participants. In the seven years she's been at the job she has secured the Red Claw, Portland Pirates, the LL Bean Boot, the Baltimore Band Unit and the Crushstation. This year's exciting draw will be the mighty Budweiser Clydesdales.

Volunteers

In the weeks leading up to the Maine Lobster Festival, the number of volunteers changes daily, according to Nancy Jeffers.

As of last week, 600 volunteers had signed up to help run the 68th annual Festival. The number likely has increased. The Festival averages more than 1,000 volunteers annually and they help with set-up, serving, the road race, etc., plus take-down, according to Chuck Kruger, a member of the Festival's Board of Directors. More volunteers are welcome to join.

The Lobsters

Maine's long, cold winter has significantly impacted the lobster industry. Ocean temperatures are cooler and the catches are limited, which has led to higher market prices.

Despite the high lobster prices affecting the Maine lobster industry this year, the Maine Lobster Festival Corporation plans to hold the line on lobster dinner prices to ensure that visitors enjoy their dinners at reasonable prices.

Here are the 2015 food prices that you will find at the Maine Lobster Festival:

LOBSTER DINNERS

• Maine Lobster Dinner: includes corn on the cob, dinner roll, melted Cabot butter

- Single 1-¼ pound lobster $16
- Double lobster $30
- Triple lobster $38

• Maine Shore Dinner: 1-1/4 pound Maine lobster, steamed clams, corn on the cob, cole slaw, dinner roll, melted Cabot butter.

- $31 (also available with double or triple lobster at additional cost of $10 per lobster)

Separate items

• Corn-on-the-Cob (locally grown sweet corn) $1.50
• Homemade Coleslaw $1.50

A LA CARTE ITEMS

• Maine Fisherman's Platter: fried haddock, fried scallops, fried shrimp, fried clams, cole slaw w/tartar & cocktail sauce - $20
• Steamed Maine mussels: steamed w/garlic, sautéed vegetables in wine and melted Cabot butter - $9 **
• Steamed Maine clams: w/melted Cabot butter and broth - $15
• Shrimp: fried, whole, breaded - $11
• Scallops: fried - $13
• Haddock: fried - $11
• Clams: fried, whole, breaded - $14
• Crab Cakes: three cakes, fried - $7
• Calamari: fried - $7
• Smoked seafood: Maine shrimp, mussels, scallops w/homemade mustard dill sauce - $8
• Smoked Seafood Platter: Maine smoked salmon, scallops, mussels and shrimp - $10
• Native Corn: $1.50
• Cole Slaw: $1.50

** Price subject to change due to market conditions. Prices include 8 percent Maine Food Sales Tax

DESSERTS

• Homemade Maine Blueberry Cobbler: $3
• Strawberry Shortcake: $3

BEVERAGES

• Water, SOBE water, soda, iced tea, lemonade, white milk, chocolate milk, coffee

LOBSTER CAFE

• Lobster Rolls $11
• Lobster Caesar Salads $11
• Lobster Caesar Wraps $11

More numbers

— More than 30 directors meet all year to plan the Festival.
—  Festival organizers are prepared to steam and serve up to 20,000 pounds of fresh Maine Lobster and 1,700 pounds of butter.

Festival lineup July 29 - Aug. 2:

Wednesday - Coronation of Maine Sea Goddess
Thursday - All-Maine music including 195th Army National Guard Band, Schooner Fare, Don Campbell Band
Friday - Cooking Contest; plus musical legends Tower of Power
Saturday - Parade (featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales); plus songwriter Don McLean
Sunday - Great Crate Race and 10k, 5k, 1-mile fun runs

For more information on the 68th annual Maine Lobster Festival, visit mainelobstefestival.com or facebook.com/mainelobsterfestival.