The thundering explosion of shining fireworks won’t be the grand finale for this year’s annual Liberty Festival on the 4th of July.

Traditionally, fireworks have signaled the end of independence day celebrations around the country, but festivities will continue in Auburn with live music until 1 a.m. at the Midnight Blues Club on Court Street. Six blues bands will perform throughout the afternoon and into the night as part of the second annual LA Riverfront Blues Fest held under the ‘umbrella’ of the seventh annual Liberty Festival.

Three stages – one outside, two inside – will be used for the continuous performances that are scheduled to begin at noon on Friday. The Pat Pepin Project and Pam Baker & The Blutonics, who performed at last year’s Liberty Festival, will be accompanied by four new artists to the festival – The Roy Hudson Band, Kevin Kimball & The Steel Drivers, Bonnie Edwards & The Practical Cats and Flesh n’ Blues.

A variety of musicians and dancers, including performances by the Community Little Theater and Dance Center, will also be held at Veteran’s Park in Lewiston on Friday. Appearances by Lewiston’s mayor, Laurier T. Raymond Jr., and Auburn’s mayor, Norm Guay, are scheduled for 8:15 p.m. followed by the Bottle Rocket Kings’ farewell concert. Fireworks are set to begin exploding at 9:30 p.m.

Children, teenagers and adults are invited to join in the festivities held throughout the afternoon and into the night on Thursday and Friday. The music, games and food are geared toward all ages.

The events held on Thursday will be more ceremonial, while Friday’s events will be more celebratory, according to Liberty Festival president Dick Martin.

Food vendors, children’s games and other attractions will be available for festival-goers at Veteran’s Park and Festival Plaza on Friday. New attractions include the nation’s largest blow-up slide at 35 feet high, New England’s largest mobile climbing wall and pony rides. Kernel’s Korn, St. Dom’s French Fries/Fried Dough and Papa John’s are just a sampling of the festival treats that will be available during the independence day celebration.

On Thursday, Liberty Festival ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in Courthouse Plaza with a performance of the Star Spangled Banner. Along with the tribute to the American Flag, there is a tribute to the soldiers of Iraqi Freedom, a presentation by Charlie Plummer and a procession of veterans and civil heroes planned for 7 p.m.

Lisbon Street, between Ash and Main Street, will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5:15-9:30 p.m. on Thursday. On Friday, Main Street in Auburn will be closed from Court Street to Festival Plaza from noon until 11 p.m.

jkachinski@sunjournal.com