Towns to dazzle for Fourth celebrations

From color-filled pageants to heart-throbbing dory races, Lubec's Fourth of July program, planned by committee members Dana-Lee McConnell, Sherri Pike and Mary Ramsdell, will stretch the nation's birthday into nine days of everyone-together celebration.
A pageant double feature at the school will kick off the celebration calendar on Saturday, June 29. Small costumed candidates will vie for attention as Little Miss and Mr. Later in the day, taller pageant models will prance gleefully to entertain audiences as drag queens.
Fast forward to Wednesday, July 3, at 6 p.m. when everyone brave enough to enter the talent show will surely draw raves.
The Fourth of July's line-up gets all ages in the act: Giant yard sales will be held by the Lubec Woman's Club and Lubec Historical Society; an equally giant book sale will be held at the library. A parade of fancifully decorated doll carriages with pushers to match, field races and the Lions Club's chicken barbecue will all be held. Shortly after the grand parade is cheered by crowds, shirt-tailers may wind up parading with a bit more abandon. All through the day, bargains will lure bidders for raffle items and rubber ducky wins.
There's yet more to come. On Friday, July 5, everyone can bring eatables and chairs to a supper beach party at Lubec's S-curve, leaving cars parked at the medical center. A community bonfire will be a dandy finale. Then comes Kids Day on Saturday, July 6, meaning fun for young doers and older watchers. Included will be eating contests, a water slide for those suitably suited up and live frogs performing.
Among other ways to celebrate independence Lubec-style, the committee has scheduled qualifying and finalist dory races from the downtown boat ramp as well as the annual open house at West Quoddy Head visitors center. Annabell's on Water Street will end the holiday celebration with music by Gary Cook and friends.
Sponsors who made it all possible are listed in the printed program available at local outlets.