Flag-waving Fourth finalized

The Eastport 4th of July Committee has completed this year's schedule, and a highlight of the festivities will be the presence of a U.S. Navy vessel.
U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Eastport will receive a port visit during the city's 2018 Fourth of July celebration. The U.S. Navy has committed to sending the guided missile destroyer U.S.S. McFaul, which has a crew complement of approximately 280 sailors. "We are pleased that the U.S. Navy will honor our state with this port visit during Eastport's popular Fourth of July Festival," say Senators Collins and King. "This visit will provide those who serve in the U.S. Navy and the citizens they protect an opportunity to come together to celebrate our independence. We thank the Navy for making this visit possible."
The U.S.S. McFaul will arrive on Monday, July 2, and everyone is encouraged to attend the public reception for the officers and crew will be held the next day, July 3, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Eastport Port Authority Welcome Center.
There will be a wide variety of music performed during the celebration. Fans of jazz, blues, pop and classic rock can enjoy Lost Cat and the River Rats from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on July 2 at Overlook Park. Glory Bound will perform gospel music at 1 p.m. in library park on July 3, and that evening new country and rock and roll group Stillwaters Band will play at Overlook Park from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mike Bravener will perform as Elvis Presley on July 4 at 12:15 p.m. at Overlook Park.
The full schedule of events is as follows.

Saturday, June 30
The 200th anniversary of the British departure from Eastport in 1818 will be celebrated with events throughout the day.
The Quoddy Tides' 50th anniversary celebration will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Eastport Arts Center.

Sunday, July 1
The 151st Canada Day events at Deer Island Point include the annual Motorcycle Show n' Shine, barbecue, Little People's Parade and pageant, beginning at 12 noon. A fireworks display will be at dusk.
Eastport events include the Charles E. Davis 7-mile race beginning at Perry corner at 9 a.m.; the Canada Day Sailboat Race at 12 noon; frisbee contest at library park at 1 p.m., followed by the limbo competition there at 1:30 p.m.; bike races on Deep Cove Road at 3 p.m.; country rib barbecue at the Cobscook Bay Resource Center at 111 Water Street from 5 to 7 p.m; and the Highlighter Dance at the Eastport Elementary School from 6 to 9 p.m.

Monday, July 2
Among the events of Welcome Home Day are G-force laser tag for all ages, Gaga Ball, caricature face painting and henna tattoos at the library park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Events at Overlook Park include the children's cupcake decorating contest at 10 a.m.; watermelon eating contest at 11 a.m.; Little Mr. and Miss Fourth of July contest at 1 p.m.; and pet show at 4 p.m. The SMHS Class of 1968 reunion will begin at 4 p.m. at the Lobster Crate in Perry, and the Class of '58 will hold its reunion at the Eastport Chowder House at 6 p.m. Live music by Lost Cat and the River City Rats will be played from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Overlook Park and the big wheel race will take place from Cummings Garage to Overlook Park at 7:30 p.m. The SMHS Class of 1978 reunion will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Quoddy Bay Lobster.

Tuesday, July 3
Armed Services Day will include the Dale C. Lincoln Kids One Mile Fun Run from the Boat School to the Dead River office at 9 a.m.; Border Historical Society auction downtown from 9 to 11:30 a.m.; the Tiny Tots Fair in library park at 9:30 a.m.; the public reception for the crew and officers of the U.S.S. McFaul at 11 a.m. in the Eastport Port Authority Welcome Center; community portrait at 11:30 a.m. in the Sutherland Amphitheater; Miss 4th of July contest at Overlook Park at 12 noon; strawberry shortcake sale at Peavey Memorial Library at 1 p.m.; gospel music by Glory Bound in library park at 1 p.m.; a book-signing by murder mystery author Sarah Graves will take place in front of Wadsworth's store at 1 p.m.; and the SHS Class of 1993 is holding a reunion beginning at 1 p.m. at the Barnes' place in Perry.
A self-guided open house building tour will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Tides Institute & Museum of Art, 43 Water Street, StudioWorks at 48 Water Street, Veterans' Memorial Hall, 6 Green Street, Seaman's Church, 26 Middle Street, and North Church, 32 High Street.
The firemen's muster will be on Water Street at 2 p.m. and codfish races downtown at 3:30 p.m. The SMHS Class of 1963 will hold its reunion from 4 to 6 p.m. at Rossport. The Moose Island Follies will be performed at the Eastport Arts Center at 4 and 7:30 p.m. Live music by Stillwaters Band will begin at 6:30; and the Torchlight Parade will march through downtown at dusk.

Wednesday, July 4
The 242nd Independence Day celebration will begin with a flag-raising at the breakwater at dawn; blueberry pancake breakfast at the airport from 7 to 11 a.m.; Callithumpian Parade forming at the post office at 8:30 a.m.; land sports downtown at 9 a.m. with the penny scramble immediately following; water sports on the fish pier at 10 a.m.; the Rubber Duckie Race from the fish pier to the WaCo Diner pier at 10 a.m.; Buddy Allen Car, Truck and Bike Show at 10 a.m.; blueberry pie eating contest at Overlook Park at 11 a.m; and public crabmeat and assorted sandwiches at the Eastport seniors' center at 11 a.m.
A fish chowder luncheon will begin at 11 a.m. at Christ Church Institute on Key Street; the Doll Carriage, Wagon, Bike and Trike Parade will leave from the post office at 12 noon; and Elvis Presley in concert featuring Mike Bravener will begin at Overlook Park at 12:15 p.m.
The Grand Independence Day Parade begins at 2 p.m.; Barbara's School of Dance will perform at Overlook Park at 6:30 p.m.; and the fireworks will begin at dusk.
An activity in which people can participate and/or attend is the basketball game on Thursday, July 5, at 6:30 p.m. between Ozzie's All-Stars local team and one from the U.S.S. McFaul at the Shead gym.