July 4th and fireworks come to everyone’s mind as the weather heats up for another great Maine summer, and we’ve compiled a short list of events taking place in the Greater Portland area that you will enjoy. If you have additional knowledge of fireworks displays that we do not have, please let us know and we will gladly add them here…

Portland – “Stars & Stripes Spectacular” 2011 will once again have a Patriotic Pops Concert on the Eastern Prom beginning at 7:40pm until 10pm, as the orchestra will play for the crowd through the fireworks display which will begin at approximately 9:30pm. For more information on the event visit – July4thPortland.org

You may recall that before last years event it was decided by the City of Portland to cut the fireworks display from the budget, yet thanks to the generosity and organization of local businesses like Quirk Chevrolet and the Maine Red Claws Basketball organization among others, the event took place. Once again, the fireworks display will be privately funded and one fundraiser in particular is very interesting and intriguing, offering you the opportunity to win a 2011 Corvette. For more information visit the 2011 Stars & Stripes Corvette Raffle

Freeport – 4th of July in Freeport is an all-day event kicking off with a Blueberry Pancake and Sausage Breakfast at the St. Jude Hall at 7am, a 10k Road Race starting at LL Bean at 7:30am followed by a Kids Fun Run at 9:30am. Of course, most will throw a little shopping at the outlets in there before the 4pm Fourth of July Parade down Main Street, and wrap up the evening with a Concert in the Park at LL Bean’s Discovery Park at 7:30pm followed by the fireworks display at 9pm from the Freeport Athletic Field.

Old Orchard Beach – When you’re at the beach and doing Fourth of July for years like they have, you make it a full weekend, as is the case again this year. On Sunday, July 3rd, the festivities kick off with the 23rd Annual Family Sand Sculpture Contest on the Beach near the Pier from 3-5pm. The following day, Ocean Park will have their Annual Independence Day Parade from 4:30-5:30pm, before the night wraps up with the 4th of July fireworks display from the Pier at dusk.

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