The Independence Day Committee invites Lewiston-Auburn area residents to the 15th annual Liberty Festival on July 4th to celebrate the nation’s independence with food, fun and fireworks.

Festivities along the banks of the Androscoggin River will feature concert stages on Main Street, Auburn, and in Veterans Park, Lewiston, as well as vendors and a party at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch.

Music at the Auburn Main Street stage will begin at 5 p.m. with the country sounds of Cold Blue Steel. This will be followed by Skyler, a mix of country/pop/rock, the L-A Harley Band and Drive.

Lewiston’s Veterans Park stage will kick off at 4:30 p.m. with Skosh mixing up some funk, soul and rock ‘n’ roll, followed by the Brookside Blues Band, Elvis impersonator Robert Washington, and Terry and the Telstars.

Besides main stage performances, people may purchase tickets to enjoy festivities at the Hilton Garden Auburn Riverwatch, where the evening fireworks display can be viewed. Entertainment will be provided by Broken Men, beginning at 7 p.m. For tickets, $15, visit the Hilton or call Champoux Insurance at 783-2246.

Cold Blue Steel, with members from Leeds and Greene, plays a mix of classic and modern country music. Chad Hood, winner of the 2010 Horizon Award, is front and center with his country vocals. Cold Blue Steel was 2010 runner-up Pine Tree State Country Music Association Modern Country Band and participated in the 2010 Colgate Country Showdown.

Skyler, a multi-instrumentalist, released his first full-length, all-original CD by ninth grade and four more original CDs before high-school graduation. He has done 20 professional and repertory theater productions, more than 250 gigs and a year at Berklee College of Music.

The L-A Harley Band was founded in spring 2006 by guitarist Bert Asselin, sales manager at L-A Harley-Davidson. The current lineup also includes Renald Lefebvre, lead vocals; Steve Grenier, guitar; Arthur Melende, keyboard; Frank Coffin, bass guitar; and Randy Donavan, drums. The band plays a variety of music from Zac Brown, to Jethro Tull to Maroon 5.

Born out of the desire to provide an evening of dancing and good times, Drive was formed by John Boucher, Jay Staples, Tony Croteau. Each member has about 20-plus years experience in some of Maine’s top bands. Drive’s diverse song list includes some of the best Top 40 danceable music, hard rock and heavy metal.

Skosh has been bringing funk, soul and rock ‘n’ roll to venues across the state since 2008. The band is made up of brothers Jedidiah Allen, drums, and vocals; Elijah Allen, bass and vocals; Tyler Russell, guitar and vocals; and Chris Alberi, saxophone and vocals.

Named after the Brookside Lounge at Lost Valley Ski Area, Brookside Blues Band’s first gig last winter was intended to be just a casual blues jam with a few friends. Today, the band, made up of veterans of the regional music scene, plays gigs at various local venues. The group includes Tommy O’Connell on vocals and harmonica; Ken Goodman, vocals and guitars; Jeff Glidden, drums; and Don Whitcomb, bass.

Robert Washington, a renowned Elvis impersonator, has won the World Champion title at the Images of Elvis contest held each year during Elvis Week in Elvis’ hometown of Memphis. He has performed across the country as well as in Japan, and recently completed his second six-country tour of Europe as the lead singer in “The Original Elvis Tribute,” performing with some of Elvis’ original musicians. 

Terry and the Telstars, a popular PAL Hop band, included Nick Knowlton, lead vocals; Pierre Nadeau, keyboards; Terry McCarthy, lead guitar; Roland Bechard, bass; and Danny Caron, drums. The band’s claim to fame was opening for the legendary Jimmy Hendrix in Lewiston. In August 2010, Terry & The Telstars, along with The Innkeepers, The Moon Dawgs, The Travelers, The Rockin’ Recons and The Royal Knights, performed at the Pal Hop Reunion in Lewiston and, most recently, at a sold-out New Year’s Eve performance at the Ramada Inn.

Who’s playing when

Main Street, Auburn

5 p.m.: Cold Blue Steel

6:30.: Skyler

8 p.m.: L-A Harley Band

10 p.m.: Drive

Veterans Park, Lewiston

4:30-5:30 p.m.: Skosh

6-7 p.m.: Brookside Blues Band

7:15-8:15 p.m.: Robert Washington

8:30-9:25 p.m.: Terry and the Telstars