These Fireworks Displays In Maine Will Drop Your Jaw
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Michelle
Author
Summer is finally (officially!) here, which means July 4th is just around the corner. In addition to giving us an excuse to eat delicious summer foods all afternoon (you bring the Allagash White and I’ll bring the Red Snappers), it’s a great day to get outside and enjoy our state. Spend the day hiking the trails, relaxing at the beach or just sitting outside enjoying a good book. Then, fire up that afternoon grill and get ready for Maine’s skies to be set alight. From York to Lubec, Camden to Jackman here are the best fireworks displays that will make your Independence Day more festive than a whoopie pie!
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This is my absolute favorite display in the state. Maybe because it was the first I ever saw, or maybe because of the views over Casco Bay. Whatever the reason, we think you'll love it too. Head to the Eastern Prom early to snag a spot. We typically arrive by noon. Then, spend the day in the sun with all the others who have come out for the food trucks and views. The opening ceremony is at 7pm, followed immediately by the Portland Symphony Orchestra's "Patriotic Pops Concert." Fireworks will begin around 9:20pm.
If you really want to make it a night to remember, get the VIP tickets which give you access to dinner and seating up front. For more information, click here. Oh, and here's our pro tip: If you show up late and there's no room on the hill, make your way down to the Back Bay. There will be plenty of space to set up and you'll have a lovely view of the show. I know this from first-hand, showing-up-late experience.
If you really want to make it a night to remember, get the VIP tickets which give you access to dinner and seating up front. For more information, click here. Oh, and here's our pro tip: If you show up late and there's no room on the hill, make your way down to the Back Bay. There will be plenty of space to set up and you'll have a lovely view of the show. I know this from first-hand, showing-up-late experience.
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L.L. Bean's fireworks displays comes in tandem with their Summer Concerts. This year, David Mallett & The Mallett Brothers Band will take the stage before the 9pm fireworks begin. The entire celebration takes place on the L.L. Bean campus across from the giant boot entrance. If you're hoping to dig in to your celebratory snacks, sign up for the annual 10k that takes place through Freeport that morning. Click here for more information.
This music focused event begins in the park at 2pm with acoustic Gypsy jazz quartet, Mes Amis. At 3:30pm enjoy the Casco Bay Wind Symphony, followed by Roosevelt Dime at 5pm. Then, get down with some American folk and roots music with The Lowdown at 7:45pm. The fireworks begin at approximately 9pm. For more information on this day-long event, click here.
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This display, over the Main Beach in Ogunquit begins at 9pm. Come early and stick around late for music provided by DJ Jerry Bazata. Parking won't be allowed, so get ready to walk. For more information click here.
This celebration is so big that it requires four entire days! Heritage Days begins on July 1st with at 6pm skateboard competition and performances by John Hughes Radio (6-8pm) and The Band Apollo (8:30-10:30pm). The event continues throughout the weekend, culminating in a fireworks display over the Kennebec River at 9pm. The Bath Municipal Band does the pre-fireworks concert for the event. Plan on spending the entire weekend if you can. For a full rundown of the weekend's schedule, including performers and events, click here.
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This is another multi-day event, but with a twist. Rather than focusing solely on America, Eastport gets festive and celebrates Canada Day on Deer Island. The display begins at dusk at Deer Island Point Park. Saturday includes a variety of events including a watermelon eating contest at 11am. Sunday celebrates Armed Forces Day with the annual Codfish Relay Race at 3:30pm. Friday, of course, are the fireworks! But, wake up early for the sunrise and the 56th Annual Flag Raising at Breakwater. FINALLY, the "Grand Presentation of Eastport's Fantastic Fireworks Display" happens at dusk over the waterfront. For more information and the full (very, very full!) schedule click here.
Bar Harbor's 4th of July celebration has been voted as the best in the country by The Today Show, as well as one of the top in the country by National Geographic. It might have something to do with the fact that you can set up camp at the top of Cadillac Mountain for one of the best views anywhere in Maine. But, truth be told, the distance of Cadillac means the view of the fireworks is probably best from the ground.
The blueberry pancake breakfast starts at 6am, the parade is at 10am and the live music begins at 3:30pm. At approximately 9:15pm, the fireworks will begin over Frenchman Bay. Click here for the full schedule of events.
The blueberry pancake breakfast starts at 6am, the parade is at 10am and the live music begins at 3:30pm. At approximately 9:15pm, the fireworks will begin over Frenchman Bay. Click here for the full schedule of events.
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The Bangor celebration begins with a pancake breakfast at the Brewer Auditorium from 6-10am. Next comes the parade at 11am, which crosses the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge between Bangor and Brewer. This year's concert at the Bangor Waterfront might make this the best 4th in Bangor ever. Doors open at 2pm and the Concert for the Cure will go last until 9:30pm when the fireworks begin on the Penobscot River. For more information head to their (very nicely designed) website by clicking here.
If you're looking for a small town celebration, you might want to check out the celebration that takes place in Belgrade Lakes. You can't get any more small town than a frog jumping competition, which is on of the events slated to take place. Enjoy the celebration throughout the Belgrade Lakes Village shops and then take in the fireworks display over Long Pond at dusk.
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The two-week long Whatever Family Festival includes so many programs and events that we can't possibly list them all here. Instead we'll tell you about the closing event, which takes place directly after the parade that begins at the State Capitol at 4pm. Fireworks begin around 9 pm over Mill Park. For more information on this fun celebration click here.
Remember that missile type rockets (as defined by the State Fire Marshal), helicopters, aerial spinners, sky rockets and bottle rockets are not legal to use in Maine. Some cities may have rules in place that prohibit consumer purchased fireworks, so be sure to check the laws in the town in which you plan on celebrating. You must be at least 21 years old to purchase fireworks.
There are so many incredible celebrations taking place across the state. It’s not just about fireworks on July 4th. It’s also about being with the people you love (or, at the very least, like!) celebrating our country. Some of the best of these celebrations take place in small towns that aren’t included in the photo portion of this list. Here are some of those fireworks displays and parties:
Some towns celebrate with fireworks on Sunday, July 3rd. They are:
- Phippsburg – 9 p.m., Sebasco Harbor Resort (NOTE: THIS IS SAT. 7/2)
- Dexter – 9:15 p.m., Dexter High School Football Field, 12 Abbott Hill Road
- Harpswell/Bailey Island – 9 p.m., Cooks Lobster House Point, 86 Garrison Cove Road
- Houlton – 9 p.m., Riverfront Park
- Jay – 9 p.m., Spruce Mountain Ski Area
- Limington – 9 p.m., Mill Pond
- Saco – 9:30 p.m., Funtown/Splashtown USA, rear parking lot, 774 Portland Road
- Sanford – 9 p.m., No. 1 Pond
- Scarborough – 9 p.m., municipal landfill and Beech Ridge Motor Speedway
Towns celebrating on Monday, July 4th are:
- Augusta – 9:15 p.m., old mill site
- Bar Harbor – 9:15 p.m., pier at Frenchman Bay, West Street
- Bath – 9:15 p.m., Kennebec River Waterfront
- Bethel – 9 p.m., Sunday River Resort in front of South Ridge Lodge
- Boothbay Harbor – 9 p.m., Harbor
- Camden – 9 p.m., Camden Library, Harbor Park
- Carrabassett Valley – 9:15 p.m., Carrabassett Valley Airport on Route 27
- Damariscotta – 9:15 p.m., downtown,
- Eastport – 9 p.m., fish pier off Water Street
- Freeport – 9:15 p.m., downtown
- Frye Island – 9 p.m., Long Beach Marina
- Greenville/Moosehead Lake Region – 9 p.m., East Cove, Moosehead Lake
- Jackman – 9 p.m., Field behind the Town Office on 369 Main St.
- Kennebunk – 9 p.m., Gooch’s Beach, across from the Narragansett Inn
- Lewiston/Auburn – 9 p.m., West Pitch Park, over the falls in Auburn
- Naples – 9:15 p.m., Long Lake in Naples
- Ogunquit – 9:15 p.m., Ogunquit Maine Beach
- Old Orchard Beach – July 2-4, 9:45 p.m., on the beach at Palace Playland
- Portland – 9:15 p.m., Eastern Promenade
- Searsport – 9 p.m., Mosman Park
- South Harpswell – 9:15 p.m., 70 Whites Point Road
- Thomaston – 9:15, Downtown
- Winslow – 9:30 p.m., Fort Halifax Park
- Winthrop – 9 p.m., Norcross Point
- Wiscasset – 9 p.m., Wiscasset Middle School
- York – 9 p.m., York Beach
- York Harbor – 9 p.m., York Harbor Beach
And, those celebrating slightly late are:
- Woolwich – 7/5, 9:15 p.m., Reed & Reed Lot, 275 River Road
- Denmark – 7/11, 9 p.m., Town Park off Route 160
Enjoy your holiday and stay safe!
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