“The Stars and Stripes Spectacular” Set for July 4th

PSO’s Patriotic Pops gives fireworks celebration a new bang

What:  Next month, the annual 4^th of July celebration, “The Stars and Stripes Spectacular”, will be held at the Eastern Promenade Park. The celebration will feature a free Patriotic Pops concert with Special Guest Artist Don McLean who will perform with the Portland Symphony Orchestra. This year the Patriotic Pops concert will have a Lincoln theme in honor of the 150^th Anniversary of the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation. As part of the day of festivities the Maine Historical Society will present a reading of the Declaration of Independence by former State Representative Herb Adams and a reading of the Gettysburg Address by Portland Mayor Michael Brennan. The readings will take place at noon in front of the Longfellow House at 489 Congress Street.

The Patriotic Pops concert, presented by Bangor Savings Bank, is scheduled to begin at 7:40 PM and will be broadcast live on WHOM 94.9PM. The concert will run throughout the fireworks display which will begin at approximately 9:20 PM. A rain date is scheduled for Friday, July 5^th. Visit www.July4thportland.org  for the most up to date information or call the city’s hotline at (207) 756-8130.

In addition, the 2^nd Annual “No Kids Hungry – Scoops for Kids Ice Cream Festival” will take place at the Eastern Promenade and Cutter Street from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM. The event sponsored by Mercy Hospital benefits Share our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign to end childhood hunger here in Maine and ensure all children the healthy food they need, every day. The cost will be $5 per ticket for an all-you-can-eat tasting of some of the finest ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, and gelato makers including: Mt. Desert, Gifford’s, Hood, Shain’s, Round Top, Maple’s, Friendly’s, Shaker Pond, Annabelle’s, and this year’s reigning champions Gelato Fiasco. Tickets will be available for purchase the day of the event. Advanced

tickets are available for purchase at Quirk Chevrolet, 1000 Brighton Avenue, Portland, at The Cummings Community Center at 134 Congress Street, Portland and through Mercy Hospital by calling (207) 879-3605. Ticket holders will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite flavor. The winning flavor will be announced on stage before the Patriotic Pops Concert.

July 4^th Portland’s “Stars and Stripes Spectacular” is entirely privately funded. Support from Founding Sponsors, The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, Quirk Chevrolet, WEX and the Maine Red Claws make it possible every year. Additional support for this year’s event is provided by The Presenting Sponsor for the Patriotic Pops Concert, Bangor Savings Bank; Gold Sponsors - Unum and Cross Insurance; Silver Sponsors - Woodard & Curran, Famous Dave’s BBQ, and Cumulus Broadcasting. This year’s July 4th Portland is hoping to engage the public through a text to donate campaign. Anyone who has enjoyed the “Stars and Stripes Spectacular” in the past and wants to keep this Maine tradition alive can donate what they can by texting JULY4TH to 41444. All money raised will go directly to support of this event for years to come. For other ways to support this event or volunteer, visit www.july4thportland.org.

It is estimated that 50,000 people will watch the program throughout the city. To accommodate spectators who want to ride their bikes to Munjoy Hill, Valet Bicycle Parking will be available at Fort Allen Park, allowing cyclists to park their bicycle for free. Sponsored by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the Portland Bicycle Community Meetup, people will be able to leave their bike in a staffed parking area, no lock required. Bicycle lights will be available for sale from Gorham Bike & Ski, to ensure that spectators can ride home legally after dark. Valet Bike Parking will be available from 6:00 PM until 10:30 PM. Attendees are reminded to throw their trash away or take it with them when they leave the park. In an effort to make recycling easier for spectators, recycling bins will be widely available throughout the area for bottles, cans and other material. Staff will be walking through the park to answer questions or direct the public to the nearest recycling bin or trash container. Port-A-Potties will be open at the East End Beach, Turner Street and the top of Cutter Street. Due to the crowds and loud noises, spectators are asked to leave their pets at home.

 The tennis and basketball courts, along with the playground and trails will be closed to the public on the 4^th.  The Portland Fire Department reminds residents that sparklers are legal but are very hot and should be used with extreme caution when around other people.    Per City Code Sec. 17-32 consumer/personal fireworks are banned in the City of Portland and should not be brought to the Eastern Prom.  Fines of at least $200 apply for individuals intending to use fireworks within the city.

Street Closures and Parking Restrictions

The East End Boat launch as well as Cutter Street and all the parking lots on Cutter Street will be closed from 10:00 PM July 3^rd to 6:30 AM July 5^th or 6:30 a.m., July 6^th if a rain date is necessary. Boaters can access alternate launches nearby including theFalmouth Town Landing on Route 88 ($10.00 for nonresident, 207-781-7317), Bug Light Boat Launch in South Portland ($5 for resident, $6 for nonresident) and Portland Yacht Services (207-774-1067).

On-street parking will be restricted for the following streets from 7:00 AM until 11:00 PM, July 4^th (extended to 11:00 PM on July 5^th in case of rain date):

• Eastern Promenade (both sides) from Morning Street to Washington Avenue
•  Fort Allen Park (both sides)
• Walnut Street from the Eastern Promenade to Washington Avenue
• Mountfort Street from Congress Street to Fore Street (both sides).

There are a number of parking garages and lots just a short walk from the Eastern Promenade, to view a list or map, visit the city’s website at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/parking/offstreet.asp.

At 11:00 AM on July 4^th, the following streets will be closed to the public until 10:00 PM (rain date would extend closures to 11:00 PM July 5) in order to maintain an emergency access route: 

• Eastern Promenade from Morning Street to Walnut Street
• Wilson Street from Morning Street to the Eastern Promenade
• Moody Street from Morning Street to the Eastern Promenade
• Congress Street from Morning Street to the Eastern Promenade
• Turner Street from Morning Street to the Eastern Promenade
• Quebec Street from Emerson Street to the Eastern Promenade
• Melbourne Street from Emerson Street to the Eastern Promenade
• Montreal Street from Willis Street to the Eastern Promenade
• Walnut Street from Willis Street to the Eastern Promenade

Munjoy Hill will be closed to all traffic at 4:00 PM on July 4^th. Handicapped parking is available on a first come first served basis along Cutter Street and Fort Allen Park. Clearly marked handicapped vehicles will be allowed to pass the barricades until 6:00 PM. Drivers must approach Cutter Street from Fore Street to enter. 

Suggested viewing spots for the Stars and Stripes Spectacular include:

The Eastern Promenade Park – extremely limited parking on Munjoy Hill, attendees are advised to arrive early to ensure seating space (Munjoy Hill is closed to traffic at 4:00 PM). Patriotic Pops begins at 7:40 PM.

Back Cove/Payson Park – limited parking available at Baxter Boulevard parking lot (across from Hannaford), Payson Park,  and the hillside at Cheverus High School.

Peaks Island –view the fireworks at the ferry terminal

Casco Bay – Boaters will be able to view the fireworks from the waters of Casco Bay.  Questions regarding anchoring restrictions can be directed to the Portland Harbor Master on VHF-FM Channel 16 or 207-807-7156. Boaters are also reminded to adhere to water safety regulations including making sure that each passenger has a floatation device appropriate for the age and size of the passenger; the boat has working lights, and is equipped with a safety kit. Boaters should be mindful of Coast Guard restrictions in the area.

Schedule:       

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

10:00 PM:       East End Boat launch, Cutter Street and parking lots closed to the public

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

7:00 AM:         East End Parking restrictions go into effect.

11:00 AM:       Internal street closures (those bordering the Eastern Promenade)

Noon:              Vendors open to the public along the Eastern Promenade

3:00-6:00 PM  “Scoop for Kids Ice Cream Fest, 3pm-6pm, Corner of Eastern Prom and Cutter

4:00 PM          Munjoy Hill closed to traffic

6:00 PM          Munjoy Hill closed to handicapped parking

7:40 PM:         PSO Patriotic Pops Concert

9:20 PM:         Fireworks show begins