The New England Patriots Cheerleaders will be participating in the Maine Lobster Festival Parade Aug. 4 in Rockland, and following the parade, they will be on the Festival Grounds at the Main Stage from 12:30 to 1 p.m. for photos and to sign autographs.

The cheerleaders support the efforts of charitable organizations throughout New England. In addition to their philanthropic efforts, the squad makes approximately 1,000 individual public appearances annually for businesses and corporations, spreading cheer to fans at a variety of events throughout New England and across the country.

They also travel overseas on goodwill missions to entertain thousands of patriots on the front lines. The Patriots Cheerleaders have performed in more than two dozen combat areas and have visited more than 25 countries.

In addition to their goodwill military missions and appearances throughout the U.S., the squad has entertained and appeared at Super Bowls, Pro Bowls, an American Bowl in Mexico City, Patriots games in London in 2009 and 2012, and Mexico City again in 2017.

This year's squad will continue to serve not only as day-of-game entertainers, but also as Patriots ambassadors throughout New England and around the world.

The Maine Lobster Festival takes place in Rockland Aug. 1-5, with fivedays of fun and feasting on the fabulous coast of Maine to celebrate the lobster industry.

The Maine Lobster Festival attracts thousands of people to Maine's Midcoast region and has a long tradition of giving back to the local community. This year will be the 71st anniversary of the festival. For more information about the Maine Lobster Festival, visit our website at www.mainelobsterfestival.comand Facebook, or follow on Twitter at @MELobsterFest.

The public can purchase Saturday admission bracelets before the parade starts. Go to the Main Gate or the Park Street Gate at 9 a.m. and get a Saturday bracelet — no long lines after the parade, and no waiting to get down on the grounds.