A full day of activities on the Eastern Promenade
Portland, Maine - Next week, July 4th Portland’s “The Stars and Stripes Spectacular”, will be held at the Eastern Promenade Park. This year the organizers have added the Grammy award winning artist Mellissa Manchester to the roster, and she will be performing with the Portland Symphony Orchestra.
The schedule of events on the Eastern Promenade include vendors opening at 2:00PM, the Scoops for Vets Ice Cream Festival from 3:00 – 7:00PM, and the “Stars & Stripes Spectacular” starting from the concert stage at 7:00PM. The concert is free and open to the public. It is requested that dogs, with the exception of service dogs, remain home. The concert will be broadcast live on WHOM 94.9PM and run throughout the fireworks display which will begin after 9:00PM.
For the first time ever, the event is going green! Organizers have added recycle AND compost stations near the food vendors, and plenty of waste receptacles throughout the promenade. Please use the appropriate receptacles for your refuse, and help us keep Portland beautiful!
If the event is postponed, all activities will resume at their previously scheduled time on the following day, Sunday, July 5, 2015. For the most up to date information visit the July 4th Portland website or call the city’s hotline at (207) 756-8130.
For a full list of events, activities, sponsors, and updates please visit www.july4thportland.org.
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. Additional support for this year’s event is provided by Gold Sponsors - Cross Insurance and UNUM; Silver Sponsors – 94.9 WHOM and Woodard & Curran; Bronze Sponsors – Bon Ton, Camden National Bank, Famous Dave’s BBQ, Key Bank and the Portland Harbor Hotel. For other ways to support this event visit www.july4thportland.org. Every dollar raised directly supports this event.
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) + Cutter Street
· 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 facilitate the festival setup and 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
(Residents showing proof of residency will be permitted through barricades at base of Munjoy Hill.) 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:
Thursday, July 2, 2015
10:00 PM: First parking lot (right side of street) on Cutter Street closed to public
Friday, July 3, 2015
10:00 PM: East End Boat launch, Cutter Street and remaining parking lots closed to the public
Saturday, July 4, 2015
7:00 AM: East End Parking restrictions go into effect.
11:00 AM: Internal street closures (those bordering 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.
2:00PM Vendors open to the public along the Eastern Promenade
3:00-7:00 PM “Scoop for Vets Ice Cream Fest, Corner of Eastern Prom and Cutter
4:00 PM Munjoy Hill closed to traffic
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
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