By JOSEPH FITZGERALD

GLOCESTER — The Ancients & Horribles Parade steps off at 4 p.m. Saturday, and like the previous 82 Ancients & Horribles parades that have wound their way down Main Street in Chepachet since 1926, this year’s 83rd annual parade is sure to please.

Nothing is sacred as Glocester locals spoof local and national politics during the parade, which attracts thousands to the village of Chepachet every July 4th to witness the outlandish floats and extensive lineup of marching bands.
“The parade will feature the same whacky group of characters people have come to expect at the Ancients & Horribles Parade,” said Parade Chairwoman Connie M. Leathers, who has chaired the parade committee since 2005.
This year, the parade committee decided to break away from tradition and not have the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, which is historically held on the weekend before the parade.
“This year the committee decided to use the money we would have spent for the fireworks to get more bands for the parade,” Leathers said.
Parade grand marshall this year is Claire Clisdell, a longtime town resident and parade-goer who has entered the parade’s Decorated Bicycle contest for the past eight years. Clisdell, who is in her 70’s, is a longtime supporter of the parade.
The parade starts at the intersection of Routes 100 and 98 (Money Hill Road and Steere Farm Road) and ends at Acote’s Field on Putnam Pike, Chepachet.
Parade floats will compete for trophies, including Best in Parade, Most Ancient, and Most Horrible.
Despite the economy and the tough economic challenges faced by the community, Leathers says the parade this year will be as good as ever. The town does provide some financial support for the parade, but most of that goes towards paying for police protection and supervision during the parade. The rest of the parade is funded with donations from the community.
“We’re asking people to please be generous when they see the bucket brigades during the parade because that’s what keeps us going every year and hopefull again next year,” Leathers said.
To register for the parade, registration forms can be filled out online at the town’s Web site at www.glocesterri.org. The deadline for online registrations is 3 p.m. on July 2.
To register by mail, participants can print the registration form from the town’s Web site and then mail it to: Ancients & Horribles Parade c/o Connie M. Leathers P.O. Box 160 Chepachet, RI 02814. The deadline for mail in registrations is July 2.
Participants can also register in person at the town clerk’s office weekdays until 3 p.m. July 3.
Late registrations will be accepted on the day of the parade July 4 on the front lawn of the Town Hall from 9 a.m. to noon.
All registrants must pick up their entry number at the booth across from Abby’s Restaurant on Money Hill Road from noon to 2 p.m. on parade day. Participants must have a number to be judged.
Other parade categories include: Most Politically Incorrect, Best Current Affairs, Funniest Overall, Most Patriotic (walking group), Parade Committee Award, Best In Parade (commercial); Walking Group; Ugly Truck; Small Float; Patriotic Vehicle; Large Float; Decorated Bicycle; and Classic Car.
Glocester’s Fourth of July Celebration wouldn’t be the same without the  Glocester Recreation Deaprtment’s traditional Fourth of July Road Race. The 36th annual race will be held on July 4 with a start time of 9 a.m. sharp on the grounds of the Chepachet Union Church.
There will be four races: a 5½-mile race, a 1.75-mile race, a 1-mile race for children 8 to 12 years old, and a half-mile race for children 7 years and under. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. The fee is $5 for Glocester residents age 18 and over, and $10 for out-of-towners. Out-of-town youth age 17 and under will pay $5, and Glocester youth can run for free. All participants will receive a T-shirt while supplies last.