Have a Good Old-Fashioned 4^th!

A vintage wooden cabin cruiser chugs along in Belgrade's parade of antique boats in the Channel in Great Pond. The parade is held every year on the 4^th of July. Spectators can be seen on the Main Street (Route 27) bridge in the background.

by Esther J. Perne

Go . . . stay . . . spend the day. Have a good old-fashioned 4^th of July celebration, priceless in traditions . . . and close to wherever you are. July 4, 2008 is an easy date to observe, a Friday, the start of a true long, holiday weekend, when the festivities are on the 4^th itself and two days remain for all the other great celebrations of summer.

Friday the 4^th: the options for outings abound . . . from family gatherings in backyards and parks to get-togethers at lakes and rec centers to full-fledged calendars ending in fireworks. Let's take a look at the latter.

Belgrade Lakes has a long day and into the evening schedule of wholesome activities — great for kids, great for adults, great for permanent residents and for passersby. Food in abundance — chicken to shortcake, children's activities — face painting to free ice cream, special savings — in-store sales to sidewalk vendors . . . all these are part of a small village setting, of lake scenes on both sides of Main Street, of sidewalks to stroll, books to buy, and parades to watch. A unique boat parade will take place at noon, a land parade at 4 pm, and for a finale — fireworks.

Augusta has an awesome all-day agenda, a parade in the morning, an afternoon at historic Old Fort Western, many children's activities, music along the Kennebec, and finally fireworks.

A tractor pulls a float holding members of a local Cub Scout Pack in the street parade on Main Street in Belgrade.

Winslow, river neighbor to Waterville, holds a multi-day celebration focusing on the 4^th with the largest parade in the state — a morning extravaganza, nonstop activities and performances, and fireworks at night. Winthrop is the setting for an incredible footrace — run, jog, or walk — along a beautiful lakeshore, where fireworks will later light up the night.

Other centers in the area will provide fireworks, too: Farmington, Skowhegan, some of the lake associations, camps, and individuals. Ask around, visit a downtown, relax in a park . . . or by the water. Enjoy a 4^th of July celebration in the good old-fashioned way! Go . . . stay . . . spend the day!

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Have a Good Old-Fashioned 4th!

Have a Good Old-Fashioned 4^th!