Scott Milne: 50 Years in Manchester’s Fourth of July Parade

For those who’ve spent a Fourth of July in Manchester in the past half-century, the chances are awfully good they’ve seen Scott Milne gliding down the parade route on his antique bicycle, smiling in the summer sun with the rest of the antique bike riding crew.

Milne first joined the town’s Independence Day festivities in 1974, at the age of 18.  It all started when Manchester High School industrial arts teacher Bill Burroughs told him about his collection of antique bikes in need of riders.  Milne and his friend, Bill French, stepped up, and over the years, the tradition has grown—today, Milne rides alongside his two adult sons and a group of friends, all decked out in matching “Bermuda reds.”

A lifelong Manchester resident and the owner of Milne Plumbing & Heating, Milne’s name, not to mention his company trucks, are well known around town.  Whether responding to a
burst pipe or a basement flood, he’s long been a presence in local life.

His roots in Manchester run deep.  His mother, Doris Crane Milne, was born here and has lived in town for more than 96 years.  She was active in First Parish Church and a founding member of the “Harmonites,” a local musical group.

Milne himself has contributed to the community in many ways over the years.  He served on the board of the Manchester Community Center and the Manchester Harbor Boat Club.  He was named Small Businessperson of the Year in 2018 by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.

More recently, Milne helped launch the Manchester JazzFest alongside childhood friends, John Filias and Greg Cook.  The event, which takes place in July, was designed to bring music and dancing back in the style of what the three men remembered from regular Legion parties.  This year, the three donated proceeds
from last year’s JazzFeat—$4,500—to support this year’s parade.

When he pedals past on his antique bike this Fourth of July, don’t forget to give him a wave. Fifty years in, he and his fellow antique bike brigadiers are still going.