LIMESTONE, Maine — All Fourth of July activities in Limestone will be canceled this year in an effort to protect people from the potential spread of COVID-19, the town announced Friday
This decision was made after discussions with the police and fire chief/local EMA director and selectboard chairperson, interim town manager Vicki Page said. Their consensus was that the town should focus on the safety of its residents this year, she said.
“As we understand that this year’s festivities would have been extra special due to the celebration of Maine’s 200th Bicentennial birthday, we are devastated that it had to come to this,” Page wrote in a letter to town residents. “But unfortunately, due to uncertain circumstances and after noting that other festivals and events in the state and Aroostook county are canceled, we felt this was the best decision.”
The Limestone Chamber of Commerce, a volunteer organization responsible for organizing the town’s annual Independence Day events, is working on coming up with a creative, and safe, way of holding an Independence Day celebration.
The chamber will make sure to stay within the governor’s guidelines and work with town officials as these ideas come together, chamber president Michelle Albert said.
“All communities in the state of Maine are working to find solutions and creative ways to host celebrations and still bring their communities together,” Albert said. “The chamber does feel saddened that times like this have come to the forefront but we will stay positive and move forward.”
The Limestone Chamber of Commerce will be hosting meetings online and posting more information on its Facebook page at facebook.com/LimestoneChamber.
