The city of Portland is hosting its annual Fourth of July celebration again this year.  The celebration will be held on Tuesday, July 4th, in its usual spot on the Eastern Promenade.  The fireworks are set to go off around 9:15 pm.  A rain date is scheduled for Wednesday, July 5th – same times apply.  Food trucks will be available on the Eastern Prom “Roadway.”

Fireworks will be launched from the East End Trail.  The Trail will need to be closed from Cutter Street to the Water Treatment Plant from 6:00 am until deemed safe by city staff; probably about 11:00 pm. In the event of rain, the Trail closings would be in effect until Wednesday, July 5th.

It is suggested that attendees not bring pets who might be spooked by the noise from the fireworks.  This blogger is also suggesting that attendees bring a jacket because the Portland waterfront can be cool at night.

In past years, the annual fireworks celebration was a much more elaborate event than in recent years.   Before Jon Jennings became city manager of Portland he and a group formed a non-profit that raised funds to pay for the Portland Symphony Orchestra, under the Direction of Robert Moody, to give a patriotric concert before the fireworks as well as during the fireworks.  It was called the Sars and Stripes Spectacular.  Several years there were popular guest soloists with the PSO. In one of those years, song writer and singer Don McLean performed his 1971 iconic American Pie for a most appreciative audeince.  McLean was a resident of the Camden area.  In 2012, the 60 voice Magic of Christmas Chorus sang replacing soloists that had performed previously.  The fireworks were set off from a barge in Casco Bay rather than on land that year.

For more information, please visit post herein dated May 1, 2012.