FREEPORT — In many area towns, including Falmouth, Yarmouth and Cumberland, July Fourth will be a quiet day, with no town-sponsored activities planned.

But in Freeport, it’s a different story.

Freeport’s Independence Day activities start at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning with a 10K road race and will continue throughout the weekend.

This year’s race promises to have the biggest participation yet, with more than 1,000 people registered. There are 200 more spaces available the day of the race; people are asked to arrive at the Freeport Town Park on Bow Street before 7:30 a.m. to register. At 9:15 a.m. there will be a one-mile L.L. Bean Fun Run and at 10 a.m., a parade will start on Main Street. Drivers will be directed around Main Street starting at 7 a.m., and will have to navigate down School and West streets until after the parade.

In addition to the restaurants and vendors in town, visitors can also enjoy a blueberry pancake and sausage breakfast at St. Jude’s Church hall on the corner of Main and School streets from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Then, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be a clambake at the Freeport Fire Station. The “Eat for Clean Water” clambake is a fundraising event to support the efforts of the Maine Clammer’s Association. There will be steamers, corn, lobster and strawberry shortcake, as well as hamburgers, hot dogs and and other non-seafood items. Tickets are $20 in advance or $22 at the door. Call 615-5640 for more information or tickets; reservations are recommended.

Starting at 10 a.m., L.L. Bean will host a number of activities throughout the day. Children can enjoy face painting and meet L.L. Bear; kids 8 and older can learn about archery from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the indoor archery range in the Hunting and Fishing store; and outdoor enthusiasts can participate in a number of workshops on camping gear and bicycle equipment, fishing, kayaking and GPS technology. At 11 a.m. there will be an unveiling of the new taxidermy installment outside the Flagship store.

At 7:30 p.m., country signer Patty Loveless will perform at the L.L. Bean Discovery Park with special guest opener Marcia Ramirez. The fireworks will begin between 9 and 9:30 p.m. at the high school.

Activities continue Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including book signings and food tastings.

For a complete listing of scheduled activities, visit the L.L. Bean Web site and scroll to Fourth of July Celebration.

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net.

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