Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums Corps Added to This Year’s Roster
Portland, Maine - Next month, July 4th Portland’s “The Stars and Stripes Spectacular”, will be held at the Eastern Promenade Park. The year the organizers have added the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums Corps to the roster and they will be performing a concert in front of City Hall at 5:30 and then marching up Congress Street to greet the festivities on the Eastern Promenade.
Vendors will be open on the Promenade starting at noon.
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. Guest artist Suzanne Nance will join the PSO.
In honor of the 200th Anniversary of the Star Spangled Banner 9.49 WHOM’s “Sing the National Anthem at the 4th of July”’s winner Kelsey Walk will perform at the start of the concert. In addition the Portland Press Herald, one of the lead sponsors of the event, will announce their photo and essay contest winner.
In addition, the 4th Annual “No Kids Hungry – Scoops for Kids Ice Cream Festival” will take place at the Eastern Promenade and Cutter Street from 4:00 PM - 7:00 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 makers including: last year’s winner Mt. Desert, Gifford’s, Round Top, Shaker Pond, Annabelle’s, and Bayley’s. Tickets will be available for purchase the day of the event. Advanced tickets are available for purchase at Quirk Chevrolet, 1000 Brighton Avenue, all Coffee by Designs in Portland, Red Mango at the Maine Mall and through Mercy Hospital (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.
A rain date is scheduled for Saturday, July 5th. Visit www.July4thportland.org for the most up to date
information or call the city’s hotline at (207) 756-8130.
July 4th Portland’s “Stars and Stripes Spectacular” is entirely privately funded. Support from Founding Partners, The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, Quirk Chevrolet, WEX and the Maine Red Claws make it possible every year. The Founding Partners were recognized by the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce last year as leaders in the community and were honored with the Henri A. Benoit Award for Leadership in the Private Sector. 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 Townsquare Media. 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. 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 4th. 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 3rd to 6:30 AM July 5th or 6:30 a.m., July 6th if a rain date is necessary. Boaters can access alternate launches nearby including the Falmouth 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 4th (extended to 11:00 PM on July 5th 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 10:00 AM on July 4th, the following streets will be closed to the public until 11:00 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
At 11:00 AM on July 4th, the following streets will be closed to the public until 11:00 PM (rain date would extend closures to 11:00 PM July 5) in order to maintain an emergency access route:
· 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 4th. 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 2, 2014
10:00 PM: First parking lot (right side of street) on Cutter Street closed to public
Thursday, July 3, 2014
10:00 PM: East End Boat launch, Cutter Street and remaining parking lots closed to the public
Friday, July 4, 2014
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
Noon: Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence by former State Rep. Herb Adams and viewing of the Dunlap Broadside copy of the Declaration (1 of 26 surviving copies) at Maine Historical Society, at 489 Congress Street.
4:00-7:00 PM “Scoop for Kids Ice Cream Fest, Corner of Eastern Prom and Cutter
4:00 PM Munjoy Hill closed to traffic
5:30 PM Middlesex County Volunteers Fife and Drum concert in front of City Hall
6:00 PM Middlesex County Volunteers march up Congress Street to the Festival
6:00 PM Munjoy Hill closed to handicapped parking
7:00PM Opening Ceremony
7:40PM PSO Patriotic Pops Concert
9:20 PM: Fireworks show begins
No comments:
Post a Comment