By SANDY McGEE

CUMBERLAND — Blue skies and sunshine, the first in weeks, made for a “picture perfect” day at the 83rd Annual Arnold Mills Fourth of July Parade.

Saturday’s weather was a dramatic improvement to the clouds and rain that dominated the past month.
“The skies just opened up this morning and the sun came out,” said Rosemary Guarino of Lincoln.
“It (the sun) is long overdue,” said Fernanda Rei of Cumberland.
Sunscreen was necessary, as well as sunglasses, baseball caps and umbrellas, which could be seen along the sidewalks of Nate Whipple Highway.
“You couldn’t ask for a better day,” said Joe Sparks of North Attleboro.
Long lines were present at Del’s lemonade stands along the route. Eddy Gauthier of Cumberland sold more than 126 bags of cotton candy by the time the first fire truck roared in the distance.
“It’s been a good day,” he said.
Hundreds attended this year’s parade with many dressed in red, white and blue.
Eight-year-old Cole Hooper waved an American flag while wearing a patriotic hat.
“It’s the Fourth of July,” he said. “The Fourth of July is about America.”
His sister, 5-year-old Jenna, said she was at the parade “to celebrate” her mom, Det. Jackie Hooper of the Cumberland Police Department, who rode a bicycle in Saturday’s parade.
The Arnold Mills Fourth of July Parade is a tradition, not only for the town, but for generations of families.
The Bassett family of North Attleboro has sat in the same viewing spot along Nate Whipple Highway for at least 50 years, they said.
“It’s the best spot here, right across from the clam chowder,” said Carolyn Bassett.
At least 20 members of the family, spanning four generations, attended this year’s parade. The Bassett clan ranged in age from 75 years old to its newest member, who is 6-weeks-old.
“It’s tradition,” said Nichole (Bassett) Gagnon.
Many parade goers chose to arrive this year on wheels, such as red wagons or mountain bikes.
“You get a little bit of everything with a bike - exercise, fresh air and you beat the traffic,” said North Attleboro resident Mark Anastasi, who attended the parade with his adult twin brother, Steve, who also rode a bicycle.
This year’s parade, which ran more than two-hours long, featured an extended route that ended at Abbott Run Valley Road.
“It’s a long parade,” said Dawn Gagnon of Lincoln.
This year’s theme was “Hope for the Future.” Participants were encouraged to design their float to this theme.
The Arnold Mills Committee Float decorated their float in a graduation theme. Four members of the Cumberland High School Class of 2009 stood on the float while dressed in caps and gowns.
The Cumberland Hill School Drama Club, which won first place for the best float, was decorated in a Peter Pan theme. On the float’s side, a banner stated, “Hope for our future is a child’s imagination.”
Slatersville Preschool, which won second place in the walker division, carried a banner reading, “Children … We are the Future.”
Alex “Red” Krueger, a longtime member of the Arnold Mills Parade, served as grand marshal for the parade.
“The fire trucks, the fire trucks are coming,” screamed 10-year-old Kinza Leal of Cumberland as the parade headed up Nate Whipple Highway.
“I like the fire trucks,” said 8-year-old Chrissi Cilli of Cumberland. “I like when they put the sirens on.”
This year’s parade lineup also included antique and custom cars, bands, clowns, decorated bicycles and patriotic walkers.
Men dressed as 18th century militia fired loud muskets.
The Night Life Entertainment Band of Warwick performed for the crowds. The Cycling Murrays played flutes while riding unicycles.
Despite sometimes long lulls in the parade, the show marched on with brightly decorated dancers from the Lusitania Club.
Women danced in long pink and purple dresses, while the men wore pink silk shirts and pink and purple sashes.
Several 1930s and 1940s roadsters drove down the highway.
“That’s a typical Dillinger car,” said one bystander.
The movie “Public Enemies,” which depicts Depression-era criminal John Dillinger, was recently released into movie theaters.
The parade even excited those who traveled far to witness the town’s holiday events.
“I like that everyone can come and celebrate the Fourth of July,” said 10-year-old Casey Moriarty of Stoneham, Mass.
“We’re excited about the fireworks and the fire water (Waterfire in Providence),” said 8-year-old Elin Antonsson of Cincinnati, Ohio, who is visiting relatives in the area.
Winners of the float division also included the Abbott Run Valley Swim Club, who received the President’s Award, and Jocelyn’s Arts Studio, who received the Chairperson’s Award.
The winner of fourth place, or the Theme Award, was the Blackstone Valley Independent Business Alliance, whose float consisted of a money tree and signs reading “buy local.”
The Friends of Hearthside in Lincoln, dressed in Victorian garb, won first place for the walking division.
In the best decorated bicycle division, winners were Michael Bessette for first place and Steven Conakry for second place.
For more information about the parade, visit www.arnoldmillsparade.com.