Public gathering restrictions were not eased in time for Oxford Hills communities to plan Independence Day celebrations. But locals can find some July Fourth happenings this weekend.

The Lakes Association of Norway is sponsoring a boat parade at 3 p.m. July 3. Boaters will meet at the public launch at Lake Pennesseewasswee Park.

Independence Day decorations are encouraged. Last year’s parade saw 53 boats participating with dozens of spectators watching from cars parked along the road.

“We started this five years ago by posting fliers around town and word of mouth,” said parade organizer Arell Nankervis. “We just wanted to have something where the community comes together. I was so surprised when we had 25 boats. But last year was even more surprising with cars parked all along Lake Road. It was as if the parade jumped on land too.

“This year it would be great if vehicles were outfitted with July Fourth decorations too.”

Nankervis said that the parade starts at the boat ramp at 3 p.m. and people should follow the boat ahead of theirs. The parade goes one loop around the lake and takes about an hour. There is no scheduled rain date.

“The main thing we stress is to drive slow and be safe,” she said.

Otisfield is the only town that has announced  a July Fourth parade. Floats and vehicles will line up at Cutler’s Field at 9 a.m.

The parade will start at Spurr’s Corner Fire Station. Float and marching prizes will be awarded and events include a bake sale, July 4 T-shirts for sale, and patriotic tattoos. Free watermelon and popsicles will be available.

Harrison, Norway, Oxford, Paris and West Paris have no community events listed on their websites.

“There wasn’t enough planning time since bans were lifted,” noted Oxford Recreation Director Patty Hesse.

Last year Oxford had planned local oral historians to participate in a July 4th history day in tandem with Maine Bicentennial celebration but had to cancel all programming due to the pandemic.

“Even though things are opening again, I think people are still hesitant about it all,” added Norway Recreation Director Deb Partridge.

Fireworks displays are scheduled to be held in several western Maine towns.

Fryeburg will hold fireworks at 9 p.m. July 2 at the fairgrounds.

On July 3, Lewiston/Auburn will start fireworks at Great Falls at 9:30 p.m. and Newry will have a display off Barker Mounting Road at 10:45 p.m.

On July 4 there will be fireworks shows at Ricker Hill Farm in Turner starting at 9 p.m., and in Naples off Sebago Road starting at 9:15 p.m.

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