Farmington celebrates Chester Greenwood Day after taking a year off

PHOTO: Keyes Insurance earned second place in the Adult-lead Float category in Farmington’s Chester Greenwood Day parade. (Bill Van Tassel photo)

FARMINGTON – Hundreds of spectators, some with ear coverings and some without, gathered for the town’s annual Chester Greenwood Day parade and activities Dec. 4.
The parade, held on a chilly, but sunny day, was the first in two years after last year’s parade was canceled because of COVID-19.

Greenwood was born Dec. 4, 1858, and every year the town celebrates its famous resident on the first Saturday of December. Greenwood was an entrepreneur and inventor — some sources say he had more than 100 patents, including a special kind of rake, a tea kettle and a machine to make wooden spools. He was a great machinist and also ran a bicycle shop in town. But he is best known for his Maine weather-inspired creation, earmuffs.
This year’s theme was Vacationland Fun. The theme inspired floats and other entries that included winter and summer fun scenes, even a snowy light house and guys with safety-modified chain saw a-roaring.
The Chester Greenwood float always features someone dressed in period clothing and posing as Chester, and of course, wearing muffs. This year, Greenwood was represented by Farmington Fire Deputy Chief Clyde Ross.
Ear coverings among spectators included styles and outlandish homemade muffs, and even dogs can be spotted ear-muffed and otherwise decorated for the holiday celebration. The parade is sponsored by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
Winners were:
YOUTH-LEAD FLOAT – First place: Regional School Unit 9; Second place: Franklin County Children’s Task Force
ADULT-LEAD FLOAT – First place: Foster Tech Center; Second place: Kyes Insurance; Third place: University of Maine at Farmington
WALKERS – First place: Boy Scouts; Second place: Mt. Blue ski team; Third Place: Golden Girls.