Towns will host a wide variety of events to celebrate the country’s 231st birthday this Wednesday.

Oxford kicks off the holiday early with fireworks at 9 p.m. Monday, July 2, at the Oxford Plains Speedway. The festivities continue with a concert at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, at the Oxford Veterans’ Memorial Park. The Anderson-Staples American Legion Post 112 is presenting the concert, which will be conducted by the 195th Maine Army National Guard Band.

Bridgton also jumps the gun on the holiday with a fireworks presentation beginning at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, at the Stevens Brook Elementary School. The rain date is Friday, July 6.

On Independence Day, events begin with the 31st annual Four on the Fourth run. The four-mile run kicks off at 8 a.m. from the Bridgton Memorial School.

At 11 a.m., the Great Bridgton Duck Race will be held on Stevens Brook, followed by a parade at noon from Hannaford supermarket to Shorey Park. At 2 p.m., the Bridgton Lions Club will host a ball drop at The Commons driving range. A helicopter will drop numbered golf balls over the range, and the purchaser of the ball that lands in a cup or nearest to it will win a $1,000 prize.

In Otisfield on July 4, the day starts with a free community breakfast at the Spurrs Corner Church from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. A parade begins at 10 a.m. on the south side of Spurrs Corner on Route 121.

After the parade, the Otisfield Fire Department will conduct a red, white and blue water salute. Other events include a watermelon seed-spitting contest, a pie-making contest, face painting and music. Free Popsicles, popcorn and bottled water will be available.

In Bethel, a picnic will be held at the Bethel Historical Society at noon, accompanied by a concert by the Portland Brass Quintet. Fireworks will be held at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7, at the Bethel Inn to coincide with the beginning of the town’s art fair. The rain date is July 8.

In Fryeburg, a kids’ parade begins on July 4 at 11 a.m. at the Norway Savings Bank and proceeds to Bradley Park. Music will be held at the park from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Janet Verplanck, secretary of the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, said a parade will be held beginning at 2 p.m. July 4 at Tony’s Foodland in Naples. At 9 p.m., fireworks will be launched from a barge on Long Lake, with a rain date of July 5.

According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, other fireworks events are scheduled for Casco at 9:20 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, on Island Road at the marina, with a rain date of July 5.