If you’re looking for something to do to celebrate the Fourth of July, whether you seek parades, fireworks, cookouts or more, there’s something for everyone going on in Aroostook County.
Here’s a roundup of some of the happenings.
Wednesday, July 3
Fort Kent: Wonderful Wednesday with crafts and music at the Riverside Park Pavilion from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come to paint rocks and listen to Sadie Cairns, with Ryan Cyr and Steve Doucette of The Gents. Also, grand reopening of the Fort Kent Cinema with a free movie night, a gift from Duane Bernier to honor his mother Jenny. “Despicable Me 4” will start at 6 p.m.
Houlton: Annual Midnight Madness celebration, 4 p.m. to midnight. Street fair with shopping, food, vendors and music: Star City Syndicate, 4:30 p.m.; McGill’s Community Band, 7 p.m.; and Highway 207, 8 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. and a karaoke contest, 10 p.m. at the Temple Theater.
Limestone: Street dance from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the corner of Access Highway and Main Street. Food and drink vendors, duck race and more. Bring a chair as there’s limited seating. Fireworks show at dusk over Limestone pond.
Presque Isle: Fireworks show at Riverside Park, courtesy of the City of Presque Isle and the Downtown Revitalization Committee. The show, led by Central Maine Pyrotechnics, will start at approximately 9:15 p.m. along Riverside Drive.
Thursday, July 4
Grand Isle: The holidays come early with a Christmas in July celebration, starting at 6 p.m. at the Grand Isle Campground and Ball Park. Come and enjoy food vendors, a Christmas light parade at 8:45 p.m. and a bonfire at 9 p.m. Cap it all off with fireworks at 9:15. Rain date is July 5.
Houlton: Fourth of July parade, starting at 10 a.m. at the Catholic Church. Free Family Fun Day at Community Park, starting at 5 p.m. with games, bounce houses, a dunk tank, water slide, candy drop and a movie at 8 p.m. Concessions will be available. Bring chairs and blankets and get ready for the fireworks, starting at about 9:20 p.m.
Island Falls: Fourth celebration at VaJoWa Golf Course, with music starting at 3 p.m. on the Walker Settlement Concerts stage. Highway 207 will play from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Food, drinks and cotton candy will be available — and a foam cannon. Fireworks will start at about 9:15 p.m.
Limestone: Annual 4th festival featuring a ham and pancake breakfast by the United Methodist Men at the church, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.; chicken barbecue at Limestone Volunteer Fire Department, 10:30 a.m. until gone; food vendors on Main Street, 11 a.m.; and deejay Jake Ball starting at noon at Rotary Park. Fourth of July Parade, 1 p.m., Main and High streets. Rolling car show at 12:30 p.m. and, after the parade, the Duck 500 race on Bridge Street.
Madawaska: An extended version of Music in the Park takes place Thursday, July 4, at Bicentennial Park on 11th Avenue. Bob Beaulieu will play from noon to 3 p.m., then the Dynamics take the stage from 3 to 6 p.m. Bring a chair and settle in.
Presque Isle: Riverside Park festival, car show and cookout, sponsored by Presque Isle Elks Lodge, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free hot dogs, chips, popcorn, soft drinks, watermelon and shaved ice will be available, along with live music by the Soggy Bottom Boys. Car show registration starts at 10 a.m.
Presque Isle: Remember the nation’s founding with a reading of the Declaration of Independence, led by City Manager Tyler Brown, at the historic one-room James School, 125 Niles Rd. The celebration starts at 11:30 a.m. with a flag raising and bell ringing.
Stockholm: Start the day with a Swedish pancake breakfast at the Sportsmen’s Lodge, Axel Siding Road, from 6 to 9 a.m. Also enjoy the American Legion barbecue, strawberry shortcake sale and Stockholm Museum. The annual parade will start forming at 10 a.m. on Lake Street near the slaughterhouse, taking off at 11 a.m. Also: elementary school time capsule reveal, 12 p.m.; annual duck race, 1 p.m.; and Madawaska Lake Boat Parade, 2 p.m. starting at Eagle’s nest. Fireworks at dusk near the bridge on Main Street.
