It wasn’t him. President Barack Obama did not march in the annual Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library Halloween Parade. It was a former U.S. Army veteran who moved to Edgecomb this summer bearing a striking resemblance to the 44th President of the United States. The man marching in an elegant suit alongside a variety of ghosts, movie characters, athletes and one vending machine was Christopher Armstead, a recently retired 21-year member of the U.S. Army.

Armstead moved to Edgecomb in August with his wife Gretchen and daughter Imij. For years, Armstead has heard from fellow soldiers, friends, family and complete strangers he could be President Obama’s double.

In 2007, people began telling him “you know you look just like him.” This resulted in Armstead trying to enhance his physical appearance to begin looking more like Barack Obama. He began dressing like Obama which led to him emulating his speech patterns and mannerisms. 

“I’m working on the walk and talk, but not as much as I should,” he said. “People ask me all the time for a photo or video, and ask me to say something. I study his speeches and the most popular phrase I use  is ‘Hello, everybody,’ which he often says as he approaches the podium.”

During the parade, he heard the familiar refrain about how much he looked liked President Obama from kids and parents marching alongside his family during the 90-minute trek from Oak Street to Townsend Avenue.

“We just wanted to be part of the holiday. It was great to see such a large number of people in costume marching. It was great to be part of it and people throughout the parade kept telling me how much I looked liked him,” Armstead said.

In 2015, Armstead was urged by a friend to attend the local Comic Con in San Antonio, Texas. The friend is a major fan of Dr. Who and comic books. Once the friend saw Armstead dress as President Obama he began lobbying him to attend the annual event.

So Armstead put on the suit and bought a ticket. He became an instant hit with other people waiting to purchase tickets to Comic Con. Armstead was instantly bombarded with requests for photos and videos from fans waiting to see various movie and television stars.

“Comic Con really isn’t for me, but he kept telling me how many people would love seeing me there. He was right because within five minutes of me lining up for a ticket, people were taking my picture and shaking my hand.”

In 2016, Armstead received an even better reception. “It was twice as many people (seeking photos)  and this year, there were people waiting to see me.”

In 2007, Saturday Night Live was looking for an Obama performer and Armstead considered making an attempt to portray the president on television. But his plans changed after being deployed to Afghanistan. During his military career, Armstead was deployed to Afghanistan twice, Kuwait once, and Haiti in 1994.

Christopher and Gretchen Armstead are both Massachusetts natives. Following Christopher’s retirement from the army, the couple was looking for a place close to their Bay State families and a good school. Christopher’s sister-in-law, Kristina Ward, has lived in the Boothbay region for over 30 years, so the Armsteads decided to live in Edgecomb.

Christopher Armstead is looking to perform as President Obama at various functions around the country.

“I’d love to do more. My family is setting up permanent residence in Edgecomb and we’re both looking for something to do,” he said. “She may go back to school teaching or become a lobsterman like she’s always dreamed. I’d love to do parties possibly saying things he (Obama) can’t, or just showing up and acting like him.”

So beware if you see President Obama in the Boothbay region without  Secret Service protection: Remember it’s probably Christopher Armstead.