Celebrate America’s Independence at Old Fort Western

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

1:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Augusta, Maine - The staff of Old Fort Western, the 1754 National Landmark fort, store and house on the Kennebec River in downtown Augusta cordially invites the public to enjoy Augusta’s Independence Day celebration.  The fort will be open for public tours beginning at 1:00 PM.  

Once again this year Augusta’s Fourth of July Parade will start at 4:00 PM at the Capitol Parking Lot and end at Old Fort Western.  After the parade please join us and Augusta’s Mayor William Stokes in a traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence followed by the replacing of the British colors with the “new” American flag. Then the cannon will be fired with lots of rousing cheers and well wishes for this wonderful country.  This ceremony was first performed in 1776 and has been reenacted at Fort Western for over 50 years!

Before and after the parade, children and adults can enjoy games and refreshments at the Fort until we close at 6pm.  More entertainment will be at The Maine State Housing Authority parking lot in Augusta where there will be live music by Emerald Sky, www.myspace.com/emeraldsky, and another local band, Sun Dog http://www.sundogband.com along with a bounce house, trolley rides, and vendors!  There will be an awesome fire works display at the East Side Boat Landing at dusk.

Admission to the fort will be free; food and refreshments will be available for purchase.  Donations to benefit Old Fort Western’s educational programming are always welcome.  Please go to www.oldfortwestern.org for more information or become a fan on Facebook to stay connected to the Fort’s summer events!  Call 626-2385 or e-mail us at oldfort@oldfortwestern.org if you have any questions.