WOLFEBORO — One of the oldest and largest Independence Day parades in New Hampshire is attracting locals, tourists and politicians alike for the All-American tradition.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who is vacationing with his clan at his Lake Winnipesaukee shorefront home this week, will likely join in the parade's Third Division that includes politicians and others. Romney has been visiting Lake Winnipesaukee for about a decade. But this year, the Presidential candidate is accompanied by more Secret Service agents and instead of riding downtown for ice cream on his bicycle, he's likely arriving in a black SUV.

On Monday, Romney, his wife and grandchildren — about 25 of them — visited a favorite haunt, Bailey's Bubble ice cream shop on Railroad Avenue. Chip and Deb Skelley own the seasonal shop and enjoy Romney's visits.

“Wonderful — we love it. We're happy that somebody sees the town as wonderful as we do,” said Deb, who also snapped photos on her iPhone during his visit. She said her super scooper served about 25 members of the Romney family on Monday.

What's Mr. Romney's flavor?

“He orders soft vanilla ice cream — it's real ice cream — in a cone,” she said. “He has come for years. He used to ride his bike with his young boys in tow. Last night he came by boat. We didn't know it was Mitt until he came up to the window,” she said.

Deb said this season, however, Romney's surrounded in Secret Service agents dressed casually in Red Sox T-shirts and khaki shorts.

Parade organizer Commander Harold Chamberlin, of American Legion Harriman Hill Post 18, said the politicians will parade in the last division, followed by the First Division (businesses and commercial, and Second Division (groups and organizations.) Trophies are not awarded in the Third Division that includes political entities, per the American Legion bylaws, said Chamberlin.

“We can't be seen to support any candidate whatsoever,” said Chamberlin.

More than 56 entrants have signed on to march in the parade.

Wolfeboro Police Chief Stuart Chase said Tuesday that he's had frequent interaction with the Romney camp and the Secret Service. However, the Romney visit has not cost the town much extra money or headaches. During an event earlier this year, the police department spent an extra $360 for extra police details. “His visits so far have been minimally intrusive,” said Chase.

Romney's current vacation has not cost the town “one extra penny,” added Chase.

“Our mission remains the same — crowd and traffic control. As far as security, that's the Secret Service. We're trying to be good hosts, and there is only so much we can do,” said Chase.

“The Romneys are such family-oriented people. They are considerate folks. He's a humble man,” he said. For Wolfeboro police, Independence Day is all-hands-on-deck anyway. “There is no additional burden,” said Chase.

As for the iffy weather forecast — the possibility of scattered showers — Chamberlin said the parade has never had a rain date in his 17 years of running the event.

“I told the Romney people that I think our local Congress ought to put forth a bill absolutely forbidding rain on July 4th,” joked Chamberlin. “They thought it was an interesting concept.”

“If we worry about these things, if I let myself get would up about the weather, I would have a mess,” he said.

“The forecast? That's up to God.”

lmulkern@newstote.com