Peary Valeriani, with Central Maine Pyrotechnics stands by a rack of shells during the July 4th fireworks celebration at the Clinton Fairgrounds on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

Several Independence Day festivities are planned in central Maine. Parades, music, festivals and fireworks are a few options for those seeking to celebrate the holiday.

Clinton Fourth of July events

CLINTON — Central Maine Fourth of July events will take page Wednesday and Thursday at the Clinton Fairgrounds, 1450 Bangor Road.
Gates open at noon Wednesday with Kid’s Day activities to include a dinosaur dig. Children can find a dinosaur rock, chip it apart and find a dinosaur inside.

There also will be inflatable ax throwing game, face painting, balloon animals, Smokey The Bear, vendors, live music and more.

The night will close with Sharon Hood and Dixon Road opening for Darryl Worley starting at 8 p.m.

On Thursday, an Independence Day parade will start at 10 a.m. starting at Tradewinds, 153 Hinckley Road to Clinton Fairgrounds, 1450 Bangor Road.

Festivities will be held throughout the afternoon with games, vendors, live music and Borderline Express performing before the fireworks show at approximately 9 p.m.

Farmington July Fourth Parade 

The Farmington Rotary Fourth of July parade is set to start at 10 a.m. on Broadway in Farmington. The staging area for all participants will be at the Olsen Student Center parking lot on High Street. Line up and judging is at 9 a.m. and the theme of this year’s parade is “America the Beautiful.” 

Chamber Bucks will be awarded to the top two entries in each category ($50 and blue ribbon; and $25 and red ribbon; third place will receive a white ribbon). The five categories are: Agriculture/Animal, Band/Music/Walkers, Antique (Car/Truck/Tractor), Military Service/Patriotic, and Float. 

For more information contact Dennis O’Neil 207-500-0245 or deo45@yahoo.com.

Augusta festivities at Mill Park, Old Fort Western and the Augusta Civic Center

A family friendly party will take place on Thursday, July 4, at Mill Park, 1 Northern Ave.

A parade steps off from the State Capitol at 10 a.m. Parade participants will travel down State Street, around the rotary and down Water Street, across the bridge and end at Old For Western.

Immediately after the parade’s conclusion, Augusta Mayor Mark O’Brien will take the stage to read the Declaration of Independence in 18th-century dress. A “feu de joie” (musket salute) by Fort Staff will accompany the reading, followed by a special ceremony following George Washington’s orders of July 4, 1778, for the “firing 13 Pieces of Cannon” honoring the original colonies, followed by the lowering of the Grand Union Flag and the raising of the “new” American flag.

Throughout the day, except during the hour of the Mayor’s speech and the cannonade, tours are available for visitors to walk through the fort, store and house to view period rooms and exhibits and talk with historical interpreters about daily life in the 18th century and the history of the Fort. There will be period music and our annual Independence Day Hot Dog fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Mill Park activities will begin at 2 p.m. with bands starting at 4:30 p.m. A variety of food trucks will be onsite from 2 to 9 p.m.

Fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m. and best viewed from Mill Park. 

For more information call 207-626-2350. 

Also in Augusta is a free concert featuring the Augusta Symphony Orchestra and family friendly activities; rain or shine.

The event is set for 3-5 p.m. Thursday, July 4. Full concessions will be available with activities, an instrument petting zoo, and small ensembles playing, leading up to an ASO concert. The concert will feature traditional holiday music, marches, and pops medleys.

ASO concerts are always free with donations gratefully accepted.

For more information, visit augustasymphonymaine.org and augustciviccenter.org. ASO concerts are always free with donations gratefully accepted.

Fireworks Belgrade Lakes

Fireworks will be launched at approximately 9:15 p.m. Saturday, July 6, over Long Pond off of the Village.

Wiscasset Fourth of July Celebration

The parade, with the theme of  “Heritage” led by Legion Post 54, will begin at 10 a.m. Churchill Street, traveling north to Hooper Street, onto Federal Street, to Main Street and to Water Street.

After the parade, Post 54 Veterans Memorial Salute and Flag Raising will take place at Wiscasset Waterfront where parade float winners will be announced, and music and games are scheduled Recreational Pier.

Fireworks over the Sheepscot are set for approximately 9 p.m. 

Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks in Jay 

JAY — The parade organizers are still looking for veterans who would be interested in riding on a float during the parade.

The annual parade is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 3; lineup starts at 4 p.m.  at the Memco parking lot at 102 Main St. and will end at the cannon by the railroad tracks in Livermore Falls. Organizers are looking for parade participants — bikes, strollers, wagons, power wheels, jeeps, 4 wheelers, tractors, golf carts — anything goes.

For more information email tritownparade2024@yahoo.com or call 207-320-1191. 

27th Annual Liberty Festival

A three-day event set for Thursday through Saturday, July 4-6, along the banks of the Androscoggin River, in Lewiston-Auburn. With a focus on the Great Falls, the Liberty Festival an example of two communities rich in heritage working and celebrating together. For a full schedule of events, visit libertyfestival.org. 

Fireworks in Solon 

July Fourth Fireworks are set for dusk (approximately 9 p.m.) at the Solon Elementary School recreation fields on U.S. Route 201. The event is hosted by the Solon Fire Department volunteers and sponsored by the Town of Solon, Solon Fire Department, and other community donors.

If you know of an upcoming concert we should add to this list, please send a schedule of events to happening@centralmaine.com.