You Won't Want To Miss These Incredible Fireworks Shows In Maine This Year
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Michelle
Author
Good news, Mainers! It’s summer! Thoughts of snow and cold are slowly slipping from memory and we’re gearing up for a season of lake dives, ocean jaunts and trips to camp. While we love all of these things about summer in Maine, it’s the 4th of July that really has us excited! If you’re like us, you’ve spent a good deal of time already asking yourself, “what are the absolute best fireworks near me this year?” Look no further! Just like last year (click here for the 2016 fireworks listings) we’ve compiled the best fireworks displays in Maine. Check out these 5 awesome fireworks displays in Maine, followed by a list (by county!) of all the rest you can enjoy. Fire up the grill, get those red snappers ready and let’s celebrate our independence!
This celebration is one of the best in Southern Maine! And, it's definitely our favorite. Fireworks light up the night sky with the The Portland Symphony Orchestra playing right along! Plan to arrive at the Eastern Promenade in the early afternoon to enjoy the day on the grass, overlooking Casco Bay. Food trucks will line up along the street, but picnics are also allowed. The even is completely free to the public, but if you're looking for something special consider purchasing VIP tickets. For $100 you'll get reserved seating in front of the stage, transportation to the Eastern Promenade on the Narrow Gauge Railroad, and a BBQ dinner. The best part is that you'll be supporting a good cause as all proceeds and donations go directly to support this event each year, which is completely non-profit. The event takes place on Tuesday, July 4th with a rain date of Wednesday, July 5th. For more information click here!
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The best part of Music by the Sea is - you guessed it - the music! This annual event draws over 1,000 people to hear a variety of bands by the water. This year, event will honor the memory of Parker S. Laite, Sr., a outstanding longtime member of the Camden Rotary Club. Head to Camden Harbor Park and Amphitheater for the 2pm start of the music with Steelin’ Thunder. After that will be Casco Bay Wind Symphony, Mojo Big Band, followed by Lowdown 2017 and then the fireworks! For more information click here!
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This weekend-long even is one of the largest in Maine. But what makes it really special is that it celebrates both America and our Canadian neighbors. On Friday, June 30th, head to the Eastport Arts Center for the first evening music event. Then, plan for a weekend of things like a watermelon eating contest, road races, a cupcake decorating contest for kids, a limbo contest and of course, the annual rubber ducky race! Fireworks take place at dusk for Canada Day, July 1st on Deer Isle and July 4th fireworks take place at the waterfront at dusk. For more information click here!
With a day that lasts from sunrise to well-beyond sunset, it's no wonder that the Bar Harbor 4th of July festival was voted the #1 celebration in the country by both The Today Show and National Geographic. Start the day with the blueberry pancake breakfast that runs from 6am to 10am, then head to the parade. The seafood festival is from 11am to Noon, followed by the start of some fun live music at 3:30pm in Agamont Park. Fireworks over Frenchman's Bay begin around 9:15pm and can be seen from the ground or from the top of Cadillac Mountain! Pro tip: the view from the ground is better for fireworks, but the view from the summit is best for scenery. For more information click here!
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Fourth of July in Freeport means the start of L.L. Bean's summer concert series. This year, the annual fireworks display comes will start with a performance by blues performer, Matt Andersen. The fireworks begin at 9pm on the L.L. Bean campus across from the giant boot entrance. To really earn those picnic snacks, sign yourself up for thel 10k that takes place in town that morning. For more information 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. Sorry, kidlettes, you must be at least 21 years old to purchase fireworks.
Lastly, 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 the season! 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 the other fireworks displays and parties happening around the state:
Androscoggin County Fireworks:
- Auburn: Liberty Festival Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9:30pm at Great Falls Plaza. Individual Festivities begin at 6pm.
- Lewiston: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9:30 pm in Auburn and can be viewed from Veteran’s Park.
- Poland: Fireworks take place on Saturday, July 1 at 9:15pm from the Poland Spring Resort.
Aroostook County Fireworks:
- Houlton: Fireworks take place on Saturday, July 1 at 9:30pm near the intersection of Mill Street and Route 1. More fireworks will take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9 pm at the Houlton Fair.
- Limestone: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9 pm from Cavendish Farms.
Cumberland County Fireworks:
- Bridgton: Fireworks take place on Monday July 3 dusk at Stevens Brook Elementary School. Rain date is July 5.
- Casco: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9:30 pm from Point Sebago Resort on Sebago Lake.
- Frye Island: Fireworks take place on Saturday, July 1 at 9 pm on the beach.
- Harrison: Fireworks take place on Thursday, July 6 at 9:15 pm. on Crystal Lake.
- Harpswell: Fireworks take place on Saturday, July 1 at 9:30pm from Cook’s Lobster House.
- Naples: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9:15pm over Long Lake.
- Portland: In addition to the fireworks on the Eastern Prom, fireworks will also happen on Sunday, July 2 at 9:15pm from Hadlock Field.
- Raymond: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm on Sebago Lake from Kingsley Pines Camp.
Franklin County Fireworks:
- Carrabassett Valley: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 around 9pm.
- Jay: Fireworks take place on Sunday, July 2 at 9:30 pm at the Spruce Mountain Ski Area.
- Rangeley: Fireworks take place on Sunday, July 2 at 9:30pm from the town park.
Hancock County Fireworks:
- Castine: Castine Under The Elms and By The Sea takes place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9 pm over Castine Harbor.
- Southwest Harbor: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm over the waterfront.
Kennebec County Fireworks:
- Augusta: The Capital City Riverfront Fourth fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm at Mill Park. Parade is at 4pm.
- Belgrade: This small town celebration takes place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9 pm from floats on Long Pond. Festivities begin at sunrise and run throughout the day.
- Fayette: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9 pm at Camp Vega.
- Mount Vernon: Fireworks take place on Sunday, July 2 at 9pm.
- North Monmouth: Fireworks take place on Sunday, July 2 at 9pm at the Beaverbrook Campground.
- Oakland: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm at Camp Manitou.
- Winslow: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm at Halifax Park.
- Winthrop: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm at Norcross Point Boat Launch Area.
Knox County Fireworks:
- Thomaston: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm behind the high school.
Lincoln County Fireworks:
- Boothbay Harbor: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at around 9 pm and can be seen from anywhere on the harbor.
- Damariscotta: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9 pm from Norris Point. They’re visible from Damariscotta and Newcastle.
- Wiscasset: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm over the Sheepscot River.
Oxford County Fireworks:
- Bethel: Fireworks take place on Saturday, July 1 at 9:15pm at the Bethel Inn Resort Golf Course and Saturday, July 1 at 10:30 pm at Sunday River. Community picnic takes place at the side lawn of the Dr. Moses Mason House (14 Broad Street), on the village common.
- Fryeburg: Fireworks take place on Saturday, July 1 at 9 pm behind football field. The rain date is Sunday, July 3.
- Oxford: Fireworks take place on Saturday, July 1 at 10pm at the Oxford Speedway.
- Rumford: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm from Hosmer Field.
Penobscot County Fireworks:
- Bangor: Bangor on Fourth fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9:30 pm over the Penobscot River. Live music takes place from 2pm to 9:30pm at the Bangor Waterfront.
- Dexter: Fireworks take place Monday, July 3 at 9 pm at the high school football field.
- Millinocket: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm near the athletic fields.
Piscataquis County Fireworks:
- Greenville: Fireworks take place on Sunday, July 2 at 9 pm at the East Cove.
Sagadahoc County Fireworks:
- Bath: Bath Heritage Days fireworks show takes place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm over the Kennebec River. Parade is on the same day at 10am.
- Phippsburg: Fireworks take place on Sunday, July 2 at 9pm near the tennis courts on Kenyon Road.
Somerset County Fireworks:
- Jackman: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9 pm on the field behind the town office.
- West Forks: Fireworks take place on Saturday, July 1 at 9pm where Dead and Kennebec rivers meet.
Waldo County Fireworks:
- Searsport: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm on the docks at the public pier.
Washington County Fireworks:
- Beals Island: The Moosabec Summerfest fireworks take place on Saturday, July 1 at dusk at Perio Point. Summerfest festivities begin on June 29th.
- Machias: Fireworks take place on Tuesday July 4 at 9:30 pm.
York County Fireworks:
- Biddeford: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9m at Biddeford Pool Community Center at 109 Mile Stretch Road behind the former Hattie’s location. The rain date is July 5.
- Kennebunk: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9 pm on Gooch’s Beach. Summer Fest takes place the weekend prior on Saturday, July 1.
- Limington: Fireworks take place on Saturday, July 1 at 9pm near intersection of Route 11 and Route 25.
- Ogunquit: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9pm at the Main Beach Parking Lot.
- Old Orchard Beach: Fireworks take place on Sunday, July 2 at 9:45pm and then again on Tuesday, July 4 at 9:45pm on the beach in front of Palace Playland.
- Saco: Fireworks take place on Sunday, July 2 at 9:30pm at Funtown/Splashtown USA.
- Sanford: Fireworks take place on Sunday, July 2 at dusk at Number One Pond.
- York: Fireworks take place on Tuesday, July 4 at 9:30pm from York Beach.
- Scarborough: Fireworks take place on Saturday, July 1 at 9:15pm from the Beech Ridge Motor Speedway.
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