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The parade is so long that as the beginning of the parade reaches the end of the route, those at the end have yet to start. Here, we are looking at participants lining up on the Maine side of the border. Viewed: 1506 times.
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This takes place in a parking lot just off the downtown area of Calais, Maine. Hundreds of participating floats and groups of people are lined up in a planned order to begin the parade. Viewed: 1048 times.
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In past years, the parade alternated between starting in Canada and the U.S. and going into the other country. Customs officers just glanced at everything as it passed into their country. Following the terrorist attacks in 2001, the parade now starts in the U.S. and goes into Canada each year. Viewed: 1017 times.
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As the parade begins, floats head down North Street in Calais, Maine. Groups of all kinds come from both sides of the border to be in the parade. Viewed: 1059 times.
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Spectators line North Street in Calais for a good look as the parade begins. Viewed: 1056 times.
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This is looking back from the same spot as the previous shot as more of the parade begins to file out of the parking lot and onto North Street. Viewed: 999 times.
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As we come down the hill on North Street, we turn onto Main Street in Calais, Maine. Note the sign, "International Bridge to Canada." We're just a few blocks away from the border. The buildings and cars in the background are in Canada. Viewed: 1037 times.
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Main Street in Calais becomes Milltown Boulevard in St. Stephen, New Brunswick - which is also that town's "main street". We're reaching the end of Main Street in Calais and getting ready to turn toward the International Bridge. Viewed: 1209 times.
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This picture shows the crowd lined up on the left side of Maine Street in Calais. Viewed: 977 times.
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As Main Street turns and heads toward the International Bridge, we see more spectators watching as the parade heads toward Canada. Viewed: 1140 times.
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Here, we're looking toward the International Bridge with St. Stephen, New Brunwsick in the background. Viewed: 1035 times.
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At the border, we pass U.S. Customs before we head across the bridge. Viewed: 1004 times.
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This is the end of Maine Route 9, Washington County Maine, The State of Maine, The United States, and The Eastern Time Zone. Viewed: 997 times.
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This is the home of U.S. Customs and Immigration and the U.S. Border Patrol. After taking this shot, a Customs agent demanded that I put my camera away and stop taking pictures. When you pass into this zone, you cease being able to argue and are at the mercy of these people and what they tell you to do. Viewed: 1009 times.
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This is the St. Croix River which seperates the United States and Canada. These folks have found a great place to watch the parade - from a party boat in the middle of the river! Viewed: 971 times.
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There was a chance of rain this day and indeed some sprinkles did fall on the parade but not enough to dampen the spirit. On the left, Canada - on the right, the United States. This picture was taken from the middle of the International Bridge. Viewed: 937 times.
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Turning left after the last photo, we look across the bridge at Canada Customs. On the right we see Canada Customs agents visually inspecting people and vehicles passing into their country. No one was actually stopped as the parade passed into Canada. Viewed: 974 times.
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"Welcome to Canada!" Viewed: 969 times.
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This is the headquarters of Canada Customs and Immigration. Viewed: 962 times.
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Looking back as more of the parade follows us into Canada. These ambulances belong to Downeast (Maine) EMS. There is a plaque on the bridge with a line that shows the exact border between the two countries if you ever want to walk out and stand in two countries at once! The people at the left are technically in the United States by just about 10 feet. Viewed: 1206 times.
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This is Canada Customs in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. Normally, this area is full of vehicles undergoing secondary inspections. If the customs agent in the booth you drive up to decides that you need further inspection, or if the computer randomly flags you, then this is where you go for a closer look. Viewed: 1044 times.
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Looking for the United States? It's this way! Here, more parade fans get their first look as the parade enters Canada. Viewed: 967 times.
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Just behind Canada Customs, the parade heads down Milltown Boulevard - the "main street" of St. Stephen, NB. Viewed: 923 times.
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More parade fans line the route. Viewed: 906 times.
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Looking back at Canada Customs and the parade coming into Canada. Normally these lanes are filled with cars at the little orange booths as customs agents ask you to introduce yourself to the government of Canada. There is a second, smaller border crossing in another area of town that remains open while the main crossing is closed for the parade. If you traveled U.S. Route 1 toward the Trans-Canada (Number Two) Highway, you would cross here and take the Canada Number One Highway to Sussex, NB to travel to Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island. Viewed: 970 times.
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St. Stephen is home to Ganong Chocolatier and is appropriately named "Canada's Chocolate Town." Last comment 08/11/03.Viewed: 1000 times.
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As we progress down Milltown Boulevard, we turn back to look toward the border. Viewed: 1099 times.
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As we turn from Milltown Boulevard and onto King Street, we pass the Tourist Information Centre. This building was formerly the train station in St. Stephen, but nearby tracks are long since gone. Viewed: 897 times.
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The parade heading up King Street. Viewed: 938 times.
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Looking back down Milltown Boulevard as we turn onto King Street. Viewed: 917 times.
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More parade fans line King Street. Viewed: 861 times.
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Looking back down King Street, the brick buildings in the background are at the corner of Maine and North Streets in Calais, Maine where we turned the corner earlier. Viewed: 859 times.
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More shots of the parade traveling down King Street in St. Stephen. Viewed: 953 times.
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Thousands of people turn out for this once-a-year event - the parade through two countries! Viewed: 907 times.
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We are nearing the end of the parade as we pass a Tim Horton's donut shop in St. Stephen. Viewed: 922 times.
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A banner welcomes visitors to Canada's Chocolate Town. Viewed: 936 times.
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