Maine communities from York County to Aroostook County are preparing for a busy week of Independence Day celebrations, with fireworks displays scheduled across the state beginning Thursday and continuing through the Fourth of July weekend.
This year’s celebrations carry added significance as the nation marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, with many towns pairing fireworks with parades, concerts, food trucks, road races and family events.
In southern Maine, several of the state’s largest public fireworks shows are scheduled for Friday, July 3. Portland will hold its annual fireworks display from the Eastern Promenade, with the show expected to begin around 9:15 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for July 5. Food trucks are expected along Eastern Promenade Roadway, and the city will close a portion of the East End Trail for setup and safety.
Old Orchard Beach will host fireworks at 9:45 p.m. on the beach in front of Palace Playland, while Ogunquit’s fireworks over Ogunquit Beach are scheduled for 9:15 p.m., with a DJ beginning at 7 p.m. in the Beach Street turnaround. Kennebunk and Kennebunkport will co-host their annual display at Gooch’s Beach at approximately 9 p.m., visible from all three Kennebunk beaches, with a July 5 rain date if needed.
York’s fireworks are scheduled for 9:30 p.m. at Short Sands Beach. Sanford will begin its two-day celebration on July 3 with a block party, vendors, music, food, a water ski show and fireworks, followed by a July 4 parade down Main Street.
In central Maine, Augusta will hold a full day of July 4 festivities beginning with a 10 a.m. parade from the State House area, followed by events at Old Fort Western and Mill Park. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:05 p.m., with Mill Park listed as the prime viewing location.
Lewiston and Auburn will hold their Liberty Festival celebration on July 4, including a 3:30 p.m. parade, live entertainment, family activities, vendors, a car show and fireworks over the river at 9:30 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for July 5.
Bangor and Brewer will mark the holiday with the Walter Hunt Memorial 3K Road Race at 9:45 a.m., a 10 a.m. parade, a 5:30 p.m. concert on the Bangor Waterfront, and fireworks over the Penobscot River at 9:30 p.m.
Along the coast, Bar Harbor will again hold one of Maine’s signature Independence Day celebrations, with a pancake breakfast, craft fair, 10 a.m. parade, seafood festival, live entertainment and fireworks over Frenchman Bay at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Bath’s fireworks are scheduled for 9:15 p.m. as part of Bath Heritage Days, while Camden’s display is planned for 9 p.m. over Camden Harbor. Wiscasset will hold fireworks at dusk over the Sheepscot River, and Thomaston will end its Independence Day celebration with fireworks after dark.
Several communities will begin celebrating before the Fourth. Belgrade will host fireworks over Long Pond at 9:15 p.m. on July 3. Jay and Livermore Falls will hold fireworks at 9 p.m. July 3 from Spruce Mountain Ski Slope. Rangeley’s fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m. July 3 over Rangeley Lake, while Winthrop will hold fireworks at Norcross Point at 9 p.m. July 3.
Eastport’s multi-day Fourth of July festival runs from July 1 through July 5, with events including a craft fair, watermelon eating contest, live music, a July 4 blueberry pancake breakfast, a 2 p.m. Grand Independence Day Parade and fireworks at dusk on the waterfront.
Naples will hold its America’s Block Party on the Causeway on July 4, including a 2 p.m. patriotic parade, a 6 p.m. hot dog eating contest and fireworks over Long Lake at 9:30 p.m. Southwest Harbor will launch fireworks from a barge in the harbor at 9 p.m.
Not every community celebration will include fireworks. Freeport’s July 4 events will include a pancake breakfast, road race, 10 a.m. parade and a 7 p.m. L.L.Bean Summer in the Park concert featuring the Don Campbell Band, but the town will not hold fireworks this year.
The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is also reminding residents that consumer fireworks may be restricted or prohibited by local ordinance, even though they are legal under state law in many communities. Under Maine law, consumer fireworks may generally be used from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with extended holiday hours allowing use from 9 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. the following day on July 4 and the weekends immediately before and after the holiday. Residents must be at least 21 years old to purchase, possess or use consumer fireworks, and they may only be used on the user’s property or on property where the owner has granted permission.
State and local officials are urging Mainers to check municipal schedules before heading out, as weather, parking restrictions, road closures and local safety rules may change before the shows begin.
Stay out of Lewiston on the 4th John. Those fans of yours will be lit up.
The way those criminals act when they see John is extremely telling. While tax paying citizens love to see John doing great work!
Happy Independence Day. (While it’s still allowed)