Towns to dazzle for Fourth celebrations

Another fun-filled Old Home Week is planned in the City of Eastport from Friday, June 29, through Saturday, July 6.
"The 4th of July Committee has put together a great program of events for 2013, and we're really excited to kick things off with the arrival of Maine Maritime Academy's (MMA) training vessel, State of Maine," says 4th of July Committee Chairman Barbara Hicks.
"New entertainment this year includes amazing magician Conjuring Carroll and a balloon show with audience participation presented by Maine‑ly Balloons. Both events will be held on Tuesday, July 2, at Overlook Park, where you may even spy a stiltwalking lobster! Later in the evening, the high energy band New Relm is sure to keep the crowd moving to modern country and bluegrass music in anticipation for the start of the big wheel race," adds Hicks. "At the penny scramble, the children will receive plastic 4th of July souvenir cups for catching and saving the candy and coins raining down from the storefront windows. Later, they can be used again for collecting parade candy. There will be some other give‑aways just prior to the start of the parade so people should keep an eye out for volunteers handing them out along the parade route."

The schedule of events is as follows.
Friday, June 28
The Maine Maritime Academy training vessel T/S State of Maine will be arriving between 2 and 3 p.m.
Saturday, June 29
The Eastport Garden Club sale will be held at Christ Church Institute from 9 a.m. until 12 noon, alongside the Strawberry Festival, which will run until 2 p.m.
The Firemen's Muster scheduled for 10 a.m. reportedly has been cancelled, but that could change. Tours of the T/S State of Maine will be given from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. No one is allowed to bring backpacks onto the ship, but cameras are encouraged.
Sunday, June 30
Artist Greg Charlton will talk about the Camera Obscura installation on the north side of The Commons building at 3 p.m.
Monday, July 1
Canada Day events on Deer Island include the 8th annual Motorcycle Show 'n Shine, barbecue, cake walk and white elephant table, which all begin at 12 noon, and a fireworks display at dusk.
Eastport events include the Canada Day Sailboat Race beginning at the breakwater at 1 p.m.; frisbee contest for all ages, Library Park, 1:30 p.m.; limbo competition, Library Park, 2 p.m.; bike races on Deep Cove Road, 3 p.m.; and the Country Rib Barbecue, at the Cobscook Bay Resource Center at 110 Water Street, 5 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 2
Among the events on Welcome Home Day are G-force laser tag for all ages, Library Park, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; kids cupcake decorating contest, Overlook Park, 10 a.m.; watermelon eating contest, Overlook Park, 11 a.m.; caricatures, Library Park, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; balloon show, Overlook Park, 12 noon; face painting, Library Park, 12:40 to 1:40 p.m.; Little Mr. and Miss 4th of July contest, Overlook Park, 1 p.m.; henna tattoos, Library Park, 1:50 p.m. to 3 p.m.; magic show, Overlook Park, 2 p.m.; pet show, Overlook Park, 4 p.m.; talent show, Shead High School, 5 p.m.; performance by New Relm, Overlook Park, 6 p.m.; and the Big Wheel races, Cummings Garage to Overlook Park, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 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, 9 a.m.; Quoddy Maritime Museum, downtown, 9 to 11:30 a.m.; Tiny Tots Fair, Library Park, 9:30 a.m.; community portrait, Sutherland Amphitheater, 11:30 a.m.; Miss 4th of July contest, Overlook Park, 12 noon; Strawberry Shortcake Sale, Peavey Memorial Library, 1 p.m.; Eastport author Sarah Graves' book signing, outside S.L. Wadsworth store, 1 p.m.; gospel music by Glory Bound, Library Park bandstand, 2 p.m.; codfish relay race, downtown, 3:30 p.m.; Moose Island Follies, Eastport Arts Center, 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Class of 2003 reunion, Seaview Campground, 4 to 10 p.m.; softball game, behind the elementary school, 5 p.m.; Class of 1983 reunion, Eastport Chowder House, 6 p.m.; Class of 1963 reunion, Rossport Farms, 6 p.m.; live music by Fish Whistle, Overlook Park, 7 p.m.; and the Torchlight Parade at dusk.
Thursday, July 4
The 237th Independence Day celebration will begin at sunrise with the flag raising at the breakwater; live music by Inkas Wasi, Winifred B. French Memorial Park, all day; blueberry pancake breakfast, airport, 7 to 11 a.m.; Calithumpian Parade, forms at the post office, 8:30 a.m.; land sports, downtown, 9 a.m., followed by penny scramble; water sports, breakwater, 10 a.m.; Buddy Allen Car, Truck and Bike Show, breakwater, 10 a.m.; blueberry pie eating contest, Overlook Park, 11 a.m.; crabmeat and sandwiches luncheon, Eastport Senior Citizen Center, 11 a.m.; fish chowder, Christ Church Institute, 11 a.m.; Doll Carriage, Wagon, Bike and Trike Parade, forms at the post office, 12 noon; Elvis impersonator Mike Bravener, Overlook Park, 12:15 p.m.; parade bands concert, Library Park, 1 p.m.; Grand Independence Day Parade, 2 p.m.; live music by the Atlantic Clarion Steel Band, Overlook Park, 4 p.m.; Barbara's School of Dance performance, Overlook Park, 6:30 p.m.; and the fireworks display at dusk.
A free shuttle bus will pick up passengers around town from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Friday, July 5
An Eastport area all-star alumni game will be held at Shead High School at 5 p.m; the Class of 1973 will hold a reunion at the Seaview Campground, at 5:30 p.m.; and violinist Trond Saeverud and pianist Greg Biss will perform in concert at the Eastport Arts Center at 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 6
Registration for the Charles E. Davis 7.0 mile race will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Shead High School. The race begins at 9 a.m. at Perry corner and ends in Bank Square. A four-mile walk starts on Carlow Island. A mask-making workshop will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Eastport Arts Center, and the Masquerade Contra Dance will be held there from 7 to 10 p.m.
July 1 through July 4
The craft fair and vendors will open every day at 10 a.m.
July 1 through July 5
The exhibition "The Unknown Coast, 1920s-1930s" will be open at the Tides Institute & Museum of Art, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Camera Obscura, Vorti-Scope, installation, north side of The Commons, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
July 2, 3 and 4
Scenic airplane rides will be given at the Eastport Municipal Airport, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
"Eastport 4th of July and Old Home Week promises to be another fun and memorable event for all who live here and those who are travelling home for the 4th," says Hicks. "A special thank you goes out to the dedicated volunteers who make it all possible."