And here they come to save the day! The Grand Marshals of the 2005 Windjammer Days Street Parade have often been to the rescue: Dr. John Andrews and the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service.

Dr. Andrews, that well-known, beloved physician/aviator (with the booming bass voice) practiced in the region for 40-plus years. The Boothbay Region Ambulance Service will send as many medics as they can - while still remaining ever-ready "To the Rescue!"

So, what does this mean for region float builders? Floats with a medical theme, perhaps portraying the Grand Marshals themselves, or, MASH, Dr. Kildaire, don't remember Dr. Kildaire? Marcus Welby, M.D., OK, how about ER?

Are you hearing sirens? Then you are thinking fire department, the police, or the Coast Guard. While we have hit the protection organizations we cannot leave out our armed forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and National Guard.

And, let's not forget our super sleuths: Woodward and Bernstein, Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, Columbo, the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and Scooby Doo.

Hmmmyou're a float builder that prefers a Super Hero? We all know they come in many shapes and guisesMighty Mouse, Dudley Do-Right, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, or, Holy 911dare we sayBatman?!

SO, why are you just sitting there? Sound the alarm, rally your crew and start getting that float off the ground! Just the Facts:

The deadline for float entries wishing to compete is Friday, June 17. All float entries and vehicles (and trucks or cars) must pay a registration fee of $10. Stop by the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce office (next to Hannaford's Supermarket) and enter NOW! All entrants - regardless of non-profit status - will be charged a $20 aggravation fee if they sign up after noon on Tuesday, June 22. It is necessary to have all fees and participants known so a line-up can be prepared. However, no one will be turned down - they will simply be placed at the end of the parade in the order any/all latecomers arrive.

All floats planning to compete must begin arriving at 3 p.m. Judging will begin at 4 p.m. in the BRES/BRHS parking lots.

This way, winners can enjoy a "victory" ride through the streets. And, speaking of the streets, the parade route will begin, as always, at the High School on Rte. 27, down Townsend Avenue, and finally, on to Commercial Street, ending at Boothbay Harbor Shipyard (formerly Sample's Shipyard.) Also, the Windjammer Days Committee and the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce do NOT encourage the throwing of candy for safety reasons, although many participants wish to do so. Please, if you do throw candy or any kind of novelty items, aim for the side of the street to prevent children (and sometimes adults!) from running in to the parade route.

This year's parade co-coordinator is East Boothbay resident Doug Bart. Doug and his wife, Carol, relocated to the region in 2000 from Pennsylvania. He is a retired State Trooper and Carol teaches Spanish at Boothbay Region Elementary School (BRES). Since arriving in the region, Doug has served one term on Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Council and has been a volunteer bus driver for St. Andrews Village. This is his first (and we hope not last) parade!

Entrants will be greeted by Bart in the high school driveway and assigned their positions in the parade.

To recap, here are last year's parade winners: first place: Pottle Realty Group; second place: the Coastal Crones/MacNab's Tea Room; and third place: the Y-Arts Youth Chorus.

2005 Parade forms will be mailed to all 2004 participants by the end of April. Parade entry forms may be picked up at the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce at 192 Townsend Avenue (next to Hannaford), Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.