Friday marks the 249th anniversary of the first Independence Day. The occasion will be marked with some of the summer’s best and brightest fireworks shows.
Here’s where you can plan to go to watch the celebrations in Maine.
The parade begins from the State Capitol at 10 a.m. It goes from Capital Street to State Street, through Memorial Circle to Water Street, turning right onto Cony Street and ending at the entrance of Old Fort Western.
Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. and are best viewed from Mill Park.
The 44th Annual Walter Hunt 4th of July 3K Road Race will start on Acme Road at 9:30 a.m., just before the Bangor-Brewer parade.
The parade steps off at 10 a.m. from Acme Street in Brewer and onto Wilson Street. It travels down Wilson and across the Chamberlain Bridge into Bangor. It will make a right onto Main Street, travel through downtown and conclude on Exchange Street.
The parade route will be closed to traffic between 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Other roads affected by the parade route include Central Street and the section of Harlow Street between Central and Franklin streets. Outbound traffic on Harlow will be diverted up Center Street, and inbound traffic will be redirected onto Franklin Street.
The Stone Doctors, a Rolling Stones cover band, will be playing at the Bangor Waterfront starting at 6:30 p.m., following a performance by Marionette.
Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. and are viewable from the Bangor and Brewer waterfront areas.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Main Street. It will proceed to Cottage Street to Eden Street to Mt. Desert Street, ending at Ledgelawn Avenue.
The Bar Harbor Rotary Club is hosting the Fourth of July Seafood Festival and cookout at the Bar Harbor Athletic Field on Park Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Live music will be played throughout the afternoon at the town pier.
Fireworks over Frenchman Bay begin at 9:15 p.m. and are viewable from the waterfront in downtown Bar Harbor.
The Fourth of July will be celebrated along with the Bath Heritage Days, with events throughout the day.
The 51st Annual Heritage Days Independence Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. and will travel down Lincoln, Centre and Front streets.
As part of the joint Burlington/Lowell Fourth of July celebrations, a parade will travel down Main Road in Burlington at 10 a.m.
Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican, is planning to attend the celebration, along with Rep. Matthew McIntyre, R-District 18, and other Maine legislators.
A vendor fair takes place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Fireworks will be set off from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at 119 Fogg Lane.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Tradewinds Market.
The fireworks show, which organizers claim is the largest show in Maine, begins at 9 p.m. The fairgrounds will open at noon on the Fourth.
The Grand Independence Day Parade starts at 2 p.m. The U.S.S. Gravely DDG 107 will be docked at the Eastport pier.
Fireworks begin at dusk at the waterfront.
Greenville’s parade will take place at 11 a.m. at Greenville Junction, proceeding to the center of town.
Parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Catholic Church on Main Street, loops through the Historic Market Square and Union Square before ending at Military Street.
An agricultural fair will also be held at the Houlton Fair Grounds from July 4 to July 7.
Lewiston’s festivities start at 4:30 p.m., while live music starts at 5:30 p.m. in Veterans Park. This year marks the 28th annual Liberty Festival.
Festivities in Auburn will start at 6 p.m. at Great Falls Plaza with dancing and karaoke. Events will continue through the weekend as part of the 2024 Liberty Festival.
Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. and are viewable from both sides of the river.
Parade lineup begins at 9 a.m. at the IGA. The children’s parade lines up at 10 a.m.
Vendors will be set up and music will be played at Veterans Memorial Park throughout the day Friday.
Fireworks will be held at dusk on Saturday, July 5.
Parade begins at 2 p.m. at the Naples Town Office and ends at the Umbrella Factory Complex.
Naples’ fireworks show will take place over the Causeway at 9:15 p.m.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Temple Avenue at the Bell Tower.
Fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m. and are viewable from the Pier and Palace Playland on the beach.
A performance by the Casco Bay Wind Symphony will start at 7 p.m. until the start of the fireworks display.
Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. at the Eastern Prom. Fireworks will be viewable from the Prom, East End Beach, Fort Allen Park, Amethyst Park, Baxter Boulevard, Payson Park, Martin’s Point on Veranda Street and Bug Light in South Portland.
York is offering two nights of fireworks the week of the Fourth of July.
A display will be launched from a barge off Short Sands Beach on July 4 at 9:30 p.m. The fireworks are best viewed from Ellis Park along Ocean Avenue.
The celebration continues Saturday with another show near the York Harbor Reading Room at 491 York St.