CHEBEAGUE ISLAND — With the atmosphere of a barbecue and the music of a reggae festival, the fourth annual Chebeague Chebang is expected to draw crowds of up to 700 people on Friday.

Caitlin Prentice of the Chebeague Island Inn, where the event is held, said people come from all over for the island’s Fourth of July celebration.

“It’s kind of an eclectic crowd,” Prentice said.

While many in attendance over the past few years have been permanent or summer residents of the island, many are also from the greater Portland area. Prentice said 60 boats were anchored last year by people who attended the event, and the inn’s eight moorings were filled.

Events will include an island art fair and sale, and a kid’s tent with games, water balloons and face paintings.

For adults, there will be several drink specials for beer, wine and mixed drinks. There will be many different food options, including burgers, hot dogs, lamb, grilled lobster, lobster tacos and a pig roast.

This year’s music will be reggae-focused, with performances by Josh Doughty, Jaw Gems, Toughcats, Jason Spooner and Royal Hammer.

The night will end with a fireworks show starting at 9:15 p.m.

Prentice said the event is very laid back and that people bring blankets and lawn chairs to sit out, face the water, and enjoy the holiday with friends and family.

“The Chebang is a really fun, relaxed environment,” Prentice said. “Think of like a backyard-barbecue feel.”

All proceeds from the Chebeague Chebang will benefit the Chebeague Island Recreation Center. Last year’s event raised $2,500.

The event will run from 4-10 p.m. with the Casco Bay ferry leaving at 2:15 p.m. to bring people to the island. The cost of the ferry is included with the ticket to the event. Tickets can be purchased at chebeaguechebang.com.

Freeport celebrates

Freeport kicks off its Fourth of July festivities with a blueberry pancake and sausage breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at St. Jude Hall, at the corner of Main and School streets. For more information, call 847-6890.

Next up is a 10-kilometer road race at 7:30 a.m. and a fun run at 9:15 a.m. Both of those events begin on the L.L. Bean campus.

A parade will roll down Main Street from Kendall Lane to Holbrook Street starting at 10 a.m.

L.L. Bean will host ’90s alternative rock band Toad the Wet Sprocket for a concert in Discovery Park at 7:30 p.m. For more information on the show, call 877-755-2326.

July Fourth will draw to a close with a fireworks display downtown beginning at 9:15 p.m.

Brendan Twist contributed to this report. Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or kgardner@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.

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