By SANDY McGEE

CUMBERLAND — With an extended parade route, viewers “hoping” to catch a glimpse of their favorite costumed marcher will have more chances this year at the Arnold Mills Fourth of July Parade.

The parade, a town tradition for more than 80 years, will kick off Saturday, July 4, at 11 a.m. from Nate Whipple Highway, Route 120, near the North Attleboro town line.
This year’s parade theme is “Hope for the Future.” Participants are encouraged to design their floats, vehicles and clothing to reflect this theme.
The 83rd annual Arnold Mills Fourth of July Parade will last longer with an extended route.
Marchers will begin at the Attleboro and Cumberland town line and conclude at the junction of Abbott Run Valley Road and Nate Whipple Highway.
“In collaboration with the Cumberland Police Department, the committee has decided to extend the parade route for more opportunities for citizens to view the parade and for less traffic backup at its conclusion,” according to the Arnold Mills Parade Association.
Floats, bands and walkers will conclude their march on Abbott Run Valley Road instead of Birchwood Drive.
Veteran committee member, Alex “Red” Krueger, has been chosen as grand marshal for this year’s parade.
Krueger, a member of the Arnold Mills Parade Association from 1952 to 1979, founded the Arnold Mills Road Race with Jim Clark more than 40 years ago, according to the committee.
Krueger also organized the transition of the parade’s control from the North Cumberland Fire Department to the Arnold Mills Parade Association in 1964, according to the committee.
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This year’s parade lineup will also include fire trucks, antique and custom cars, bands, clowns, decorated bicycles, patriotic walkers and floats.
Prizes and plaques will be awarded in various categories. Judging of floats will begin at 10 a.m. Costumed walkers and bicyclists are also eligible for awards.
Since the parade’s start in 1927, participants have been encouraged to dress in the tradition of  “Ancient and Horribles.” 
“The origin of the Arnold Mills Parade is the theme of ‘Ancient and Horribles,’” according to the parade’s Web site. “First seen in the histories prior to the United States Sesquicentennial Celebration of
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1926, the ancients and horribles were a grass roots phenomena which highlighted the love of the American people of all things ‘wild and wonderful.’”
As a safety precaution, throwing candy or other objects from floats and cars is not permitted.
The annual town tradition would not be complete without the Arnold Mills  Road Race, which will begin at 9 a.m. from the North Cumberland Fire Station. Top finishers will receive trophies and other prizes.
Area roads will be closed for both the parade and the road race.
The Arnold Mills Road Race is “one of the oldest running races in New England,” according to race officials.
The race began in 1969 with 27 contestants. Today, hundreds compete for prizes in the holiday race. The event is open to adults and children.
This year’s race will begin at the North Cumberland Fire Station and proceed west on Nate Whipple Highway, turning left on Abbott Run, left on Arnold Mills Road and left onto Quaker Road.
At Nate Whipple Highway, runners will take another left to Abbott Run Road, travel down Abbott Run to Sun Valley Drive, turn right on Arnold Mills Road and onto Quaker Lane, which leads back to Nate Whipple Highway and the road race’s starting point.
Runners will continue past the starting point back to Arnold Mills Road and past the North Cumberland Fire Station and a one-room schoolhouse to the finish line.
Prior to race day, the entry fee for the road race is $10. The deadline to register before race day is Tuesday, July 1.
The post-entry fee is $12. Registration will be accepted until 8:45 a.m. on race day. T-shirts will cost $8.
For more information about the road race or to register, call Tom Kenwood at (401) 658-0831 or visit www.arnoldmillsparade.com.
Participants are encouraged to stay after the parade for the annual Concert on the Green to be held at 1 p.m. at the Arnold Mills Methodist Church.
Admission to the parade, road race and concert is free. Donations are welcome and may be given during the parade or mailed to P.O. Box 7473, Cumberland, RI 02895.
The Arnold Mills Parade Association is a group of volunteers from Cumberland, Woonsocket, Attleboro and Lincoln who organize the event each year. The association is funded through donations and grants from citizens and businesses.
For more information about the parade, visit www.arnoldmillsparade.com.