Maps & directions - Chepachet Union Church

Back in the early part of the century, the good people of Glocester, R.I., held two parades each summer. The Ancients Parade celebrated the history of the town, and the Horribles Parade was a chance for the young folks to get cheeky in outlandish costumes. Then, in 1927, a local youth group suggested the town fold the two parades into one, and the annual Ancients and Horribles Parade was born. This year's parade will set off at 3 p.m. on Monday in the village of Chepachet.

In many ways, the Ancients and Horribles Parade resembles scores of other Fourth of July parades. There will be marching bands, clowns, a drum and bugle corps, and contingents from the State Police and National Guard. But in the great tradition of the original Horribles Parade, each year locals lampoon current events.

"Last year we had a lot of Monica Lewinskys," reports Ethel Corbin, a parade committee member. "We had a lawn tractor with its bucket up high, and a sign that said it had somehow gotten a shot of Viagra."

Feel like marching? Anyone - including nonresidents - is invited to join the parade, but must register beforehand. Sign up on the Town Hall lawn by 10:30 a.m. the day of the parade. After the parade, awards will be presented in a variety of categories, including large and small floats, antique cars, walking groups and individuals, and horse-drawn vehicles.

Arrive early for clam cakes and chowder on sale; road races in the morning; and a concert by the Old Glory Swing Band and Jitterbug dancers on the lawn of the Chepachet Union Church from 1-3 p.m.

The parade forms at the intersection of routes 100 and 98 (Money Hill Road and Steere Farm Road) and follows Putnam Pike east through Chepachet. 401-568-4412.