Camden, Maine (June 20, 2011) –The Camden Hills region will be celebrating the Fourth of July this year with an array of family-friendly activities running from July 1^st through July 4^th. The highlight of this year’s Festival of Independence will be the underwater and above-water fireworks display in Camden Harbor on July 3^rd. The Camden Rotary Club will also be presenting a free concert to the public called “Music by the Sea,” which includes three different ensembles performing a wide range of American music.

In addition to the fireworks and music, the festival will offer outdoor activities, performances and other family attractions. Its centerpiece will be the live music being performed throughout the weekend and the post fireworks “Dancing in the Street” celebration.

“The July 4^th weekend is a time for families to get together and relax during the beautiful Maine summer,” said Daniel Bookham, executive director of the Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce. “This year, Camden offers townspeople and visitors alike a place to enjoy an array of music, take a scenic hike with views of the ocean, and watch a one-of-a-kind fireworks show.”

What: Festival of Independence 2011
Where: Camden Hills, Maine
When: July 1-4, 2011
Highlights: Musical performances, Firework displays, Outdoor activities, Parade, Antique car/aeroplane show, “Dancing in the Street”. (List of activities, locations and times is below.)

A community-funded fireworks display will take place above – and in – Camden Harbor, with shells being launched both skyward and onto the surface of the water.

“The fireworks will be even better than last year,” said Steven Marson, owner of Central Maine Pyrotechnics, who are putting on the display. “There will be twice as many ‘shape’ fireworks than last year, the kind that create images like stars and flowers, and this year’s fireworks will also burn longer in the sky, about 8 or 9 seconds compared to the regular burn time of 3-5 seconds,” he added. “When they explode, they send plumes of water into the air, creating an array of colors- It’s absolutely beautiful, people won’t want to miss it.

Festival of Independence Events (Revised Schedule)

The Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit membership association that serves businesses and organizations from 54 towns and seven states who actively seek to support business and community in the Camden Hills region of Maine.

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In addition to these fireworks, the Festival will offer outdoor activities, museum events and other family attractions. Its centerpiece will be the live music being performed on the pier and at concert halls around the area, with everything from country and doo-wop to classical and marches being played.

“The July 4 weekend is one of those times in the year when people can slow down and do things with the family, just for fun,” said Daniel Bookham, executive director of the Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce. “This year, we’re giving people a place to go where they can hear all kinds of music, enjoy a hiking trail with views of the ocean, watch a parade and find something great to eat.”

What: Festival of Independence

Where: Camden Hills, Maine

When: July 1-4, 2010

Highlights: Musical performances, theater, outdoor activities, parade, museum events, fireworks. (List of activities, locations and times is below.)

A community-funded fireworks display will take place above – and in – Camden Harbor, with shells being launched both skyward and onto the surface of the water.

“The fireworks that land on the water are very new,” said Steven Marson, owner of Central Maine Pyrotechnics, which is putting on the display. He approached a manufacturer in China several years ago with the idea of in-the-water fireworks, and they developed the explosives at his suggestion.

“When they go off, people will think, ‘Oh, those are dud shells,’ “ Marson said. “Then, the water comes to life. They’ll see plumes of water that are gold, silver and green.”

In-the-sky fireworks also will be spectacular this year in Camden because they are being fired from the water, he said. “Whenever you are on a barge, you are able to use the largest shells, and when you use large shells, you can do a lot of different patterns.”

Festival of Independence Events

• Thursday, July 1: Bay Chamber Concerts Summer Music Festival Opening Night, Rockport Opera House, 8pm
• Thursday July 1- Saturday July 3: Camden Civic Theatre presents A Streetcar Named Desire, Camden Opera House
• Friday, July 2: Family Fun Day at the Camden Snow Bowl: open hiking trails, tennis courts, mountain bike trails, softball diamonds and more! All Day
• Saturday, July 3: Thomaston 4th of July Parade, 11am.
• Saturday, July 3: Music by the Sea, presented by Camden Rotary, Harbor Park, Camden (three exciting bands from noon until 5pm).
• Saturday July 3: Bay Chamber Concerts present a Doo-Wop Bash, starts at 8:30pm. Classic music from the 50s and 60s, offered free to the public as a thank you for 50 years of Bay Chamber Concerts. Includes display of classic cars on Atlantic Avenue. Harbor Park, Camden.
• Saturday July 3: Eve of Independence Fireworks, 9:15pm (weather date Mon July 5). Display by Central Maine Pyrotechnics
• Saturday, July 3: Reprise of the Doo-Wop bash, starting at 9:45pm (post fireworks).
• Saturday July 3 & Sunday July 4: The Fabulous 50s and Sensational 60s Car Meet and Antique Aeroplane Show, Owls Head Transportation Museum.9:30-5pm
• Sunday, July 4: Mojo Mondaynite Jazz Orchestra 1:00 pm, in the Camden Amphitheatre, Atlantic Avenue, Camden.

The Camden-Rockport-Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit membership association that serves businesses and organizations from 54 towns and seven states who actively seek to support business and community in the Camden Hills region of Maine.

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