The Stars and Stripes Spectacular 4th of July
Next month, the annual 4th 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 by the Portland Symphony Orchestra with performances of Sousa, Copland, and Tchaikovsky -- making it a night to remember. The concert is scheduled to begin at 7:40 PM and will run throughout the fireworks display, which will begin at 9:20 PM. Prior to the pops concert, spectators can enjoy a special performance by Maine’s funniest comedian Bob Marley, presented by the Bangor Savings Bank and starting at 6:00 PM. A rain date for the 4th of July event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5th. Call the city’s hotline at 756-8130 if a change seems likely.
The Stars and Stripes Spectacular is entirely privately funded including support from Founding Partners of the July 4th Portland Foundation, The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, Quirk Chevrolet, Wright Express and the Maine Red Claws. Additional support for this year’s event was provided by Major Sponsor - Bath Savings Bank; Gold Sponsors - Time Warner Cable, Unum and Cross Insurance; Silver Sponsors - PowerPay, Woodard & Curran, Famous Dave’s BBQ, and Citadel Broadcasting; Contributing Sponsors - Proprietors of Union Wharf, MEMIC, Creative Office Pavilion, KeyBank and countless donations from area business and individuals. For information about the events scheduled for the day and ways to support the continuation of the city’s 4th of July celebration in years to come, visit www.july4thportland.org.
It is estimated that 50,000 people will watch the program throughout the city and to accommodate spectators that want to ride their bikes to Munjoy Hill, the city’s first ever Valet Bicycle Parking area, located near the cannon at Fort Allen Park, will be open 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. Public restrooms 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.
A variety of vendors offering 4th of July souvenirs, food and drink will be located along the Eastern Promenade.
Per the State Fire Marshal, the tennis courts, playground and ball fields on the Eastern Promenade, are within the fireworks shoot zone and will be closed as of 7:00 AM on July 4th.
The East End Boat launch as well as Cutter Street and all the parking lots at Cutter Street will be closed from 10:00 PM July 3rd to 6:30 AM July 5th. Boaters can access alternate launches nearby including the Falmouth Town Landing on Route 88 ($10.00 for non resident, 207-781-7371), Bug Light Boat Launch in South Portland ($5 for resident, $6 for non resident) and Portland Yacht Services ($50 includes parking, $35 no parking, 207-774-167).
People interested in attending the Stars and Stripes Spectacular need to be mindful of the following parking restrictions that go into effect at 7:00 AM until 11:00 PM, July 4th: Eastern Promenade (both sides) from Vesper to Washington Avenue; Fort Allen Park (both sides); Walnut Street from the Eastern Promenade to Washington Avenue; and Mountfort Street (both sides). Munjoy Hill will be closed to all traffic at 4:00 PM. 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. The East End Trail between the Portland Water District pumping station and the East End Beach bathhouse will be closed to the public at 7:00 AM, July 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.
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. The Top of the Old Port parking lot will be offering a special $5 rate for the day.
Back Cove/Payson Park – limited parking available at Baxter Boulevard parking lot (across from Hannaford), Payson Park, Baxter Boulevard and the hillside at Cheverus High School
Peaks Island –view the fireworks at the ferry terminal
Casco Bay – boaters should anchor in the northeast section of the bay facing Portland. 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: Saturday, July 3, 2010
10:00 PM: East End Boat launch, Cutter Street and parking lots closed to the public
Sunday, July 4, 2010
7:00 AM: East End Parking restrictions go into effect; East End Trail between the Portland Water District pumping station and East End Beach bathhouse closed to the public
Noon: Vendors open to the public along the Eastern Promenade
4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Munjoy Hill closed to traffic
6:00 PM Special performance by Bob Marley
Munjoy Hill closed to handicapped parking
7:40 PM: PSO Patriotic Pops Concert
9:20 PM: Fireworks show begins
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us
Next month, the annual 4th 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 by the Portland Symphony Orchestra with performances of Sousa, Copland, and Tchaikovsky -- making it a night to remember. The concert is scheduled to begin at 7:40 PM and will run throughout the fireworks display, which will begin at 9:20 PM. Prior to the pops concert, spectators can enjoy a special performance by Maine’s funniest comedian Bob Marley, presented by the Bangor Savings Bank and starting at 6:00 PM. A rain date for the 4th of July event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5th. Call the city’s hotline at 756-8130 if a change seems likely.
The Stars and Stripes Spectacular is entirely privately funded including support from Founding Partners of the July 4th Portland Foundation, The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, Quirk Chevrolet, Wright Express and the Maine Red Claws. Additional support for this year’s event was provided by Major Sponsor - Bath Savings Bank; Gold Sponsors - Time Warner Cable, Unum and Cross Insurance; Silver Sponsors - PowerPay, Woodard & Curran, Famous Dave’s BBQ, and Citadel Broadcasting; Contributing Sponsors - Proprietors of Union Wharf, MEMIC, Creative Office Pavilion, KeyBank and countless donations from area business and individuals. For information about the events scheduled for the day and ways to support the continuation of the city’s 4th of July celebration in years to come, visit www.july4thportland.org.
It is estimated that 50,000 people will watch the program throughout the city and to accommodate spectators that want to ride their bikes to Munjoy Hill, the city’s first ever Valet Bicycle Parking area, located near the cannon at Fort Allen Park, will be open 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. Public restrooms 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.
A variety of vendors offering 4th of July souvenirs, food and drink will be located along the Eastern Promenade.
Per the State Fire Marshal, the tennis courts, playground and ball fields on the Eastern Promenade, are within the fireworks shoot zone and will be closed as of 7:00 AM on July 4th.
The East End Boat launch as well as Cutter Street and all the parking lots at Cutter Street will be closed from 10:00 PM July 3rd to 6:30 AM July 5th. Boaters can access alternate launches nearby including the Falmouth Town Landing on Route 88 ($10.00 for non resident, 207-781-7371), Bug Light Boat Launch in South Portland ($5 for resident, $6 for non resident) and Portland Yacht Services ($50 includes parking, $35 no parking, 207-774-167).
People interested in attending the Stars and Stripes Spectacular need to be mindful of the following parking restrictions that go into effect at 7:00 AM until 11:00 PM, July 4th: Eastern Promenade (both sides) from Vesper to Washington Avenue; Fort Allen Park (both sides); Walnut Street from the Eastern Promenade to Washington Avenue; and Mountfort Street (both sides). Munjoy Hill will be closed to all traffic at 4:00 PM. 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. The East End Trail between the Portland Water District pumping station and the East End Beach bathhouse will be closed to the public at 7:00 AM, July 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.
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. The Top of the Old Port parking lot will be offering a special $5 rate for the day.
Back Cove/Payson Park – limited parking available at Baxter Boulevard parking lot (across from Hannaford), Payson Park, Baxter Boulevard and the hillside at Cheverus High School
Peaks Island –view the fireworks at the ferry terminal
Casco Bay – boaters should anchor in the northeast section of the bay facing Portland. 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: Saturday, July 3, 2010
10:00 PM: East End Boat launch, Cutter Street and parking lots closed to the public
Sunday, July 4, 2010
7:00 AM: East End Parking restrictions go into effect; East End Trail between the Portland Water District pumping station and East End Beach bathhouse closed to the public
Noon: Vendors open to the public along the Eastern Promenade
4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Munjoy Hill closed to traffic
6:00 PM Special performance by Bob Marley
Munjoy Hill closed to handicapped parking
7:40 PM: PSO Patriotic Pops Concert
9:20 PM: Fireworks show begins
John Hatcher
Keller Williams Realty - The Hatcher Group
6 Deering Street | Portland, Maine 04101
207-775-2121 Office | 207-775-2122 Fax
http://JohnHatcher.us
John@JohnHatcher.us
