Here's a list of July 4 fireworks, events in Seacoast NH and southern Maine for 2022
Independence Day is Monday, July 4, and cities and towns in Seacoast New Hampshire and southern Manie have announced plans for fireworks and other celebrations. Below is an alphabetical list of events in each community:
Brentwood
There will be a 4th of July parade starting at the Brentwood Highway Shed on Monday, July 4 starting at 10 a.m.
Dover
A Frederick Douglass Reading will take place at the Dover Public Library, 73 Locust St., at noon on Friday, July 1. In 1852, abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass delivered one of his most famous speeches, “What to the slave is your Fourth of July,” a blistering indictment of an American idealism that ignored and accepted the inhuman treatment of enslaved African Americans. In collaboration with the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, the free event is open to the public. Forinformation on attending, hosting, or joining a reading email gina@blackheritagetrailnh.org or call 603-570-8469.
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Dover kicks off Independence Day with its annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on Monday, July 4. Garrison Players Arts Center performers will portray John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, who will read the Declaration at 9 a.m. on the steps of Dover City Hall (288 Central Ave.). Mayor Robert Carrier will speak.
The city's fireworks display will be Monday, July 4 at 9:15 p.m. This year’s fireworks display will be launched from Maglaras Park and can be seen from Henry Law Park and locations throughout the city. The fireworks display will be preceded by a performance of the 39th Army Band at the Rotary Arts Pavilion, from 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. Food and novelty vendors will be available at Henry Law Park. Rain date July 5.
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Exeter
A Frederick Douglass Reading will take place at Exeter Town Hall, 10 Front St., at noon on Friday, July 1.
The 32nd American Independence Festival will take place July 16 on the grounds of the American Independence Museum. This is an outdoor event. The Ladd-Gilman House and Folsom Tavern will be open for guests to explore on a self-guided tour. Tickets are being sold online. The festival finishes up with live music by Truffle at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. at Swasey Parkway.
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Hampton
There is a fireworks display on Monday, July 4 at the top of B and C Streets, at 9:30 p.m. at Hampton Beach. Check facebook.com/HamptonNHBeach for weather updates.
Kennebunk, Maine
A traditional fireworks display will be held on Monday, July 4 at 9 p.m. at Kennebunk Beach.
Milton
There will be a Fourth of July parade held on Monday, July 4 starting at 10 a.m. The parade will start and end at the Milton Free Public Library.
Ogunquit, Maine
There will be fireworks at Ogunquit Beach on Monday, July 4. Great views from the entire beach, from Main Beach all the way up to Footbridge Beach, North Beach and beyond. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. Rain date: July 5.
Portsmouth
A Frederick Douglass Reading will take place at Strawbery Banke Museum in the Goodwin Garden on Hancock Street at noon on Friday, July 1.
There will be a fireworks display on Sunday, July 3, at the South Mill Pond across from Portsmouth City Hall beginning at 9:15 p.m. The rain date is Tuesday, July 5 at the same time. This celebration is an alcohol-free, family-friendly event.
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Strawbery Banke Museum, in partnership with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the state's U.S. District Court, will celebrate Independence Day by welcoming 75 new citizens in a naturalization ceremony on Monday, July 4. The ceremony is held on the Museum grounds and begins at 10 a.m. The public is welcome to attend free of charge. For information, visit StrawberyBanke.org/events/American-Celebration.cfm.
Rochester
A Frederick Douglass Reading will take place at Rochester Performance and Arts Center, 32 N. Main St., at noon on Friday, July 1.
The Lilac Family Fun Festival and fireworks will take place at Spaulding High School and the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center on Saturday, July 9, from 4 to 9 p.m. (Rain date is Sunday, July 10 from 4 to 9 p.m.) There will be free kiddie carnival rides, games, food trucks, vendors from all over the region, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and much more. The night concludes with fireworks.
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Since parking is limited, COAST will be offering a free shuttle service for several downtown spots, including City Hall, Bank of America, and a temporary stop on Columbus Ave. near the Opera House/Police Department. Organizers encourage attendees to find parking downtown and take advantage of the pick-up and drop-off locations. Visit RochesterNH.net/fun for information and updates on vendors and activities.
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Rollinsford
A Frederick Douglass Reading will take place at the Colonel Paul Wentworth House on Water Street at noon on Friday, July 1.
Rye
There will be a July 4th celebration on Friday, July 1 at 7 p.m., at Parsons Field featuring a live band. Fireworks will follow at dusk. Weather permitting. No rain date.
Sanford, Maine
A July 4th Block Party will take place at Number One Pond on Sunday, July 3. Vendors open for business at 2 p.m., Maine Attraction Water Ski Team show at 6:30 p.m., music by Fireball at 7:30 p.m. with fireworks to follow around 9 p.m.
A Fourth of July Parade will take place on Main Street on Monday, July 4. The parade starts at 10 a.m. at Malcolm Avenue and ends at Gowen Park.
The second annual Fireworks Extravaganza! is scheduled Monday, July 4, at 7:30 p.m., at 199 Airport Road, with tickets starting at $10. VIP ticket includes priority viewing area and access to The Runaway's 27-tap beer garden and cocktail bar. DJ East-Wood will entertain with fireworks at 9 p.m. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Rain date will be July 5th if needed due to weather. Get tickets on eventbrite.com.
Springvale, Maine
There will be a 4th of July parade on Monday, July 4 at 8 a.m. starting at The Depot, 146 Pleasant St., Springvale, Maine.
York, Maine
York will have two fireworks shows, the first on Saturday, July 2 at Hartley Mason Park in York Harbor Beach and the second on Sunday, July 3 at Short Sands Beach. Fireworks begin around 9 p.m. Arrive early for parking.
Do you have an event to add to this list? Email news@seacoastonline.com or news@fosters.com with "July 4 event" in subject line.