Looking for ways to celebrate Independence Day this weekend? Lakes Region towns and civic groups will host an array of events to celebrate summer and remember American history. 

The town of Bridgton will host its annual Independence Day Celebration at Stevens Brook Elementary School on July 3. Food vendors, crafters and local civic organizations will gather on the elementary school grounds at 11 Frances Bell Drive between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., according to recreation director Gary Colello. The festivities will continue until the fireworks, supplied by Central Maine Pyrotechnics, shoot off around 9 p.m.

The fireworks are dependent, of course, on the weather, but in a phone interview Tuesday Colello said it “doesn’t look like we’ll have to worry too much.”

The celebration is a “community event that everyone can come to,” Collelo said, as “there’s something for everyone.”

Older adults typically congregate around the gazebo, where the community band plays, while families tend to gravitate to the playground to occupy the kids, he said.

“It’s a simple event, but personally I think we have one of the best fireworks shows in the area,” Colello said.

On July 4, the Bridgton Lions Club will sponsor a parade as they’ve done “for the last 30 years or so,” according to Bob McHatton, parade organizer and former president of the club.

Starting from Hannaford at 109 Portland Road, the parade kicks off at noon and proceeds through the center of town for about a mile, ending at the Civil War monument at the corner of Main and High streets. The procession will last for approximately an hour, McHatton said.

The theme of this year’s parade is “Here Comes the Clowns,” McHatton said, and will feature floats from churches and civic organizations. Antique cars and the Bridgton Town Band will also join the parade.

This year marks the 40th anniversay of “Four on the Fourth,” a four-mile road race held annually in downtown Bridgton on July 4. The race starts at 8 a.m. at Bridgton Memorial School on Depot Street and makes a loop to finish at the school grounds. 

Race registration is $30 and proceeds go to the Bridgton Public Library. Registration closes July 2, and there is no registration on race day, according to the website. 

To remind people of “the real reason behind the celebration,” the New Gloucester Historical Society will host a reading of the Declaration of Independence at its History Barn on July 4 at 9 a.m., according to event organizer Tom Blake.

It’s the fifth year the historical society has held a reading of the document, according to Blake. 

The society’s history barn exhibits will also be open on July 4 for visitors to check out the society’s exhibit, “Did You Know,” a collection of “little tidbits and fun facts about New Gloucester” Blake said.

The history barn will also be open Saturday, July 2, from 9 a.m. to noon for the historical society’s open house, held the first Saturday of each month.

A closer look

Registration for “Four on the Fourth” is available at: http://www.fouronthefourth.com/

Other spots for fireworks in the Lakes Region:

Point Sebago Resort in Casco on Sebago Lake holds fireworks on July 4 starting at 9:15 p.m.

On July 4, the town of Naples holds a parade at 2 p.m. and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. on Long Lake. Lineup for the parade starts at 1 p.m. from the Naples Town Office. 

In Raymond, the Kingsley Pines Campground holds fireworks on July 4 starting at 9 p.m.