Welcome to an "Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration" in Thomaston, Maine, presented by the Thomaston 4th of July Committee, under the direction of the Town of Thomaston.

Parade Theme for 2011: "G.V.H.S Yearbooks" - visit our Facebook page to share feedback, photos, ideas, and make connections!

The day's events start early with a pancake breakfast at the Masonic Hall, a craft tent, a pet show, parade, chicken barbecue, food & vendor booths, motorcycle show, face painting, games for kids, horseshoe tournament, musical entertainment, and end with a grand fireworks finale. Many activities are behind the business block. Join your friends, neighbors, and visitors to Maine, and have a glorious Independence Day in Thomaston, Maine!

The Thomaston 4th of July Committee seeks volunteers to help with many jobs. Join the committee in creating a great 4th of July for your friends and neighbors in the community and state. Visitors come from all over Maine to share the experience of a small town celebration. Join in the fun of being an ambassador for the town and the state.

Use the form on the Volunteer Page

Contact:
Julie Russo, Committee Chairman
(207)354-8763
Thomaston 4th of July Committee
P.O. Box 149
Thomaston, Maine 04861

Schedule of Events

7:00 AM		Pancake Breakfast Breakfast will be served in the Masonic Temple located on Main Street in Thomaston.
7:30 AM		Kids Fun Race & Adults Firecracker Race Sign Up Sign up for the races will be on Beechwood Street by Route 1. Free entry for kids under age 12 and tee-shirt prizes. Adult entry fee is $5, includes tee-shirt. Call race organizers Dan & Kay Allan at 354-0822 FMI. Thank you to our race sponsor, Pik Qwik in Thomaston, and to the hard working volunteers who get up so early every 4th of July!
8:00 AM		Kids 1 Mile Fun Race Starts Kids Fun Race will begin at 8:00 am on Beechwood Street. Race sponsored by Pik Qwik in Thomaston.
8:30 AM		Adults 5K Firecracker Race Starts Starts on Beechwood Street. Race sponsored by Pik Qwik in Thomaston.
9:00 AM		Craft Tent Opens Craft Tent open until 4:00 PM and will be located behind the Masonic Temple Building.
9:05 AM		Parade Staging Staging area for the parade will be located at Georges Valley High School grounds on Valley Street in Thomaston. The theme is "G.V.H.S. Yearbooks". For a parade application, email Julie Russo at julie@brookstrapmill.com
9:15 AM		Pet Show Pet Show will be located behind the Thomaston Business Block, in front of Lura Libby School. Prizes sponsored by Loyal Biscuit. A big thank you to Naomi Howe and Steve Seekins for volunteering!
11:00 AM		4th of July Parade Staging area for the parade will be located at Georges Valley High School grounds on Valley Street in Thomaston. Gather at 9am...for a parade application, email Julie Russo at julie@brookstrapmill.com. The parade will start at Booker Street and head down Main Street through town center. Thank you to the organizers of the parade, who are all volunteers. We appreciate your hard work!
12:00 PM		After the Parade - Opening Ceremony Opening Ceremony with local elected dignitaries, singing of the national anthem, introduction of marshals and Mr. and Ms. 4th of July.
12:00 PM		Booths Open All booths open - large variety of food, souvenirs. Glow-in-the-dark jewelry goes on sale at 4th of July Committee booth before fireworks.
12:00 PM		Chicken Barbecue Chicken Barbecue will be located behind the business block until sold out. This barbecue is put on by Bill Hahn & volunteers. All proceeds support 4th of July festivities. Thank you to our volunteers!
12:00 PM		Motorcycle Rally Possible display of motorcycles located behind the Thomaston Business Block in the parking lot of the American Legion building. Sponsored by the American Legion.
12:00 PM		Face Painting Free face painting near children's booths. Get decorated for the holiday! Fireworks, flags, and stars are popular, but we do everything from a pink house to a snake. We gladly accept donations to the 4th of July festivities!
12:00 PM		Children's Booths Children's booths open from after parade until fireworks. Games of chance with many levels of prizes - everyone wins! Games sponsored by Brooks Trap Mill in Thomaston, and staffed by all volunteers. A Big thank you to all who help!
12:00 PM		Raffle Tickets Go on Sale Raffle tickets go on sale at the 4th of July Committee Booth behind the block in Thomaston. Fabulous prizes - lots of restaurant and local merchant gift certificates. Prizes announced during evening band intermissions.
12:00 PM		Bouncy Houses Two bouncy houses for children - a Giraffe and The Edge. Fun for all from after the parade, until 8 PM. Sponsored by Lyman Morse Boatbuilding. All donations go to the 4th of July festivities.
12:30 PM		Chaos Sauce - Band One of Thomaston's 'young' bands will be playing behind the Thomaston Business Block. Prepare to rock!
1:00 PM		Cod Adams Memorial Horseshoe Tournament Horseshoe Tournament will be behind the business block on Lura Libby School field. All donations support the 4th of July. Prizes provided by the estate of Cod Adams, long-time beloved director of our annual horseshoe tournament.
5:00 PM		Freeze Frame - Band Our fabulous local band, Freeze Frame, will be playing from 5pm to 9pm, leading us up to the fireworks finale!
6:30 PM		Raffle Winners Announced After 6:30pm, the band, Freeze Frame, will announce prize winners between song sets. Come enjoy the music and collect your prize!
9:15 PM		Fireworks In the event of rain the fireworks will be rescheduled to July 5th. Thank you to all the volunteers who spend their afternoon setting up the gorgeous fireworks display!

Note: Thomaston's tradition has been, when the holiday falls on a Sunday, to hold the celebration on the Saturday,(July 3rd). This allows for local church services. This will not occur again for until 2021! In 1779, the holiday fell on a Sunday and was celebrated on Monday July 5th. John Adams wrote to Abigail that the Declaration was signed on July 2nd and that the date would be celebrated through "succeeding generations".