INDUSTRY – One of the best kept secrets in Maine is the Independence Day celebration that takes place in this scenic little town. Nestled in the verdant western mountains overlooking Clearwater Lake, the town hosts a virtual three-day party that includes one of Maine’s largest fireworks displays, First Selectman Lee Ireland said.

A barbecue, triathlon and fireworks are all part of the town’s way of getting together to celebrate the nation’s birthday.

The triathlon and fireworks are both events sponsored and organized by the Fire Department.

Ireland said Industry’s fireworks display is unique in that it is produced entirely by volunteers. Local resident Jason Proman, a retiree and licensed pyrotechnician, volunteers his services to train other volunteers and produce the display. The town voted to spend $3,500 to purchase the explosives that decorate the skies over the lake each July 4. The show, if contracted out, would cost about $25,000, said Ireland.

The display takes place over the lake at Wing Field and more than 1,000 vehicles on average show up. That’s 1,000 vehicles crammed with as many as can fit, since the cost for attending is $6 per vehicle, regardless of the number of occupants.

A total of nine teams competed in the second annual Clearwater Lake Triathlon on Sunday. This year’s race, organized by Greg Veayo of the Fire Department, consisted of a 2-mile paddle (canoe or kayak), 4.8 miles on a mountain bike and a 2.7-mile run, in that order.

However, last year, the legs were rearranged to assure that competitors were not on open water or on lightening-rod metal bicycles during an inauspiciously timed thunderstorm.

The weather was cooperative for the event this year with temperatures in the 80s and sunny skies.

Jason Biedinger, 20, of Wilton took first place in the ironman (single competitor) competition for men under 29 while Pat Liddy of Portland and Dustin Ireland took second and third, respectively, in the category. Biedinger came in second last year in the event and won the Farmington Triathlon this year in his age group.

Aubrie Rooney, 27, of Industry finished the “ironperson” winning the under 29 category for the women.

Ashton Ireland and Ben Guild took first and second in the ironman under 16 age group.

A four-person team comprised of mostly visiting relatives also competed. Tony and Heather Keiper of Philadelphia canoed, Farmington resident Randy Hastings biked and Amy Venskus of Boston ran for the team who came in first in their category.

Also taking the two-person team trophy (a bottle each of locally produced maple syrup) was Kallie Douglass, 19, of Farmington, who competed with her nordic ski teammate from St. Lawrence University in New York, Amy Laverack, also 19, of Holderness, N.H.

Though the teammates had their mishaps on their individual sections – Laverack dropped a chain half a dozen times on the mountain bike ride and Douglass got lost on the run – the two seemed to have enjoyed the day.

“The paddle was fun,” said Laverack.

“It looks really far from here but it (the turn-around point) kept getting bigger and bigger,” she said.