The Fourth of July means a variety of family-friendly events, along with fireworks in several cities and towns. This year is all the more meaningful as America celebrates its 250th year as a country.

Here’s a look at some of the festivities in southern, Midcoast and central Maine.

AUGUSTA

On Saturday, Augusta’s annual Fourth of July parade starts at 10 a.m. from the State House parking lot and ends at Old Fort Western. The theme is “America’s Birthday — 250 Years!”

Old Fort Western’s (16 Cony St.) festivities start at 11:30 a.m. There will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence by Mayor Mark O’Brien, accompanied by a “feu de joie” (musket salute) by fort staff. The rest of the day includes games, wagon rides and a Downeast Brass Band performance at 1 p.m. Grab lunch at the Fort’s hotdog fundraiser.

Down the street at Mill Park (1 Northern Ave.), the fun continues at 1:30 p.m. with bounce houses, a magic show, games, bubbles, food trucks, live music and more.

Fireworks start at 9:05 p.m. A prime suggested viewing spot is Mill Park.

For more, go to the City of Augusta Facebook page.

BATH

Bath Heritage Days runs Thursday through Sunday in downtown Bath, with carnival rides, live concerts and performances, Art in the Park, fireman’s muster, sword fighting and more. On Saturday, the huge Bath Heritage Days parade kicks off at 10 a.m. This year’s theme is 250 Years in Motion — Looking Back, Moving Forward: A Red, White, & Blue Celebration of America’s 250th. The parade leaves from North and Lincoln streets and heads down Center Street and then north on Front Street to just beyond the Patten Free Library. Following a performance by SKOSH, the fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Saturday at Waterfront Park.

For more, go to visitbath.com/bathheritagedays.com.

BETHEL

The Museums of the Bethel Historical Society and the Independence 250 Committee will host a celebration in Bethel Village on Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

A parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at River Lanes and heads up Main Street. At 11 a.m., there’s a concert by the Portland Brass Quintet, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, children’s games and activities and light refreshments on the lawn of the Mason House.

For more, go to 250bethel.org.

BRUNSWICK

The Rotary Club of Brunswick presents a morning of fun and games for kids on the Town Mall from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday. Events include pie and watermelon eating contests, sack races, wheelbarrow races, three-legged races, relay games and more. Drinks, fruit and popsicles will be available.

For more, go to brunswickmainerotary.org.

FREEPORT

The Freeport Fourth festivities kick off at 7 a.m. on Saturday with a $10 pancake breakfast at the Harraseeket Grange. There’s also a 10K road race and 1-miler in support of the YMCA.

The Independence Day parade along Main Street steps off at 10 a.m.

At 7 p.m., head to the L.L.Bean campus for music from the Don Campbell Band and Country Americana.

For more, go to visitfreeport.com.

KENNEBUNK & KENNEBUNKPORT

On Saturday, fireworks start about 9 p.m. and can be seen from Gooch’s Beach, Middle Beach and Mother’s Beach. Rain date is Sunday.

For more, go to kennebunkmaine.us.

LEWISTON/AUBURN

The twin cites of Lewiston and Auburn are celebrating the Fourth of July a few different ways. On Friday, the Liberty Festival in Lewiston’s Veterans Park runs from 6-10 p.m. There will be live music from ’80s cover band Hairy Pie and ’90s/2000s cover act ISH. On Saturday, the parade starts at 3:30 p.m. Keep an eye on libertyfestival.org for route details.

In Veterans Park, multi-genre band Two Wrongs Make a Right hits the stage at 4:30 p.m. and the Twisted Steel Car Club show is from 5-8 p.m. Catch a set from singer-songwriter Matt Fournier starting at 6:15 p.m., followed by Joanna Hughes & the Ditch Lilies at 8 p.m. Over at Great Falls Plaza in Auburn, the dance party with DJ Scotty Dawg starts at 5 p.m. Fireworks over the Great Falls start at 9:30 p.m.

For more, go to libertyfestival.org.

NAPLES

America’s Block Party on the Causeway starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The celebration includes a parade and hot dog eating contest. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. over Long Lake from the Causeway.

For more, go to townofnaples.org/250.

OGUNQUIT

Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday. Recommended viewing spots are from Main Beach to Footbridge Beach and North Beach. A DJ will be playing requests starting at 7 p.m. in the Beach Street turnaround.

For more, go to chamber.ogunquit.org.

OLD ORCHARD BEACH

Fireworks start at 9:45 p.m. on Saturday from the beach in front of Palace Playland.

For more, go to oobmaine.com.

PORTLAND

The fireworks start at 9:15 p.m. Saturday (rain date Sunday) on the Eastern Promenade. Several food trucks will be available on the Eastern Promenade Roadway. The Casco Bay Wind Symphony will perform from 7 p.m. until the fireworks start. The program will feature patriotic and popular songs with symphonic pieces mixed in. Along with the Eastern Promenade, recommended viewing spots include East End Beach, Fort Allen Park, Amethyst Park (Thames Street), Baxter Boulevard, Payson Park, Martin’s Point on Veranda Street and Bug Light in South Portland. 

Earlier in the day, the Maine Historical Society celebrates America’s 250th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The free event features a 10:15 a.m. performance by singer Julia Haven at City Hall Plaza. Then head to Maine Historical Society (489 Congress St.) to hear Norumbega Brass and enjoy free food and drinks. You can also see the “Pathways to Freedom” exhibit and visit the Wadsworth-Longfellow House.

For more, go to portlandmaine.gov and mainehistory.org.

SACO

On Saturday from 6-9 p.m., Ferry Beach hosts a BBQ and concert from Borderline, along with family games and activities and a cornhole tournament. Tickets are $35, $25 youth, free for children under 8 with an adult.

For more, go to ferrybeach.org.

SANFORD/SPRINGVALE

There’s a block party on Friday at Number One Pond starting at 4 p.m. The schedule includes a water ski show, DJ, food and music. Fireworks will start at approximately 9 p.m.

On Saturday, a parade kicks off at 10 a.m. It starts on Main Street, beginning at Schuler Street and ending at Gowen Park.

For more, go to sanfordmaine.org.

SCARBOROUGH

The Pine Point 4th of July Parade and Kids’ Fun Run kicks off at 7:45 a.m. on Saturday. The run is open to kids ages 3-12. Winning kids will carry American flags and lead the parade. The parade steps off at 9 a.m. from Hurd Park and finishes at the Engine 4 firehouse. Prizes will be awarded for creatively decorated kids, dogs, wagons and bikes from the parade. Free strawberry shortcake will be served.

For more, go to pinepointparade.org.