SOUTH PORTLAND — Live musical entertainment will be added this year to the South Portland Historical Society’s Independence Day celebration.

Festivities at Bug Light Park on Monday, July 4, will begin at 10 a.m., and Portland-based Tricky Britches will perform at 11 a.m.

Kathryn DiPhilippo, the director of the historical society, describe the band’s music a mix of bluegrass and folk.

“I came upon them two years ago when they were playing on the sidewalk in the Old Port,” DiPhilippo said. “It’s incredible music. We kept trying to leave but as soon as we got away we’d hear another song and just go back.”

The celebration will also include a barbecue, games and activities for children, and the now-annual a reading of the Declaration of Independence by John Kierstead, playing Benjamin Franklin.

Around sunset the society will shut down the grills and clear out so celebrants can file into the park to watch the fireworks from Portland’s “Stars and Stripes Spectacular.”

DiPhilippo recommended people walk or bike to the event, because the thousands of people expected to gather for the fireworks will make driving nearly impossible.

Scarborough

In Scarborough, the Friends of Pine Point will hold a children’s race and parade on the Fourth of July to celebrate the nation’s independence.

The festivities will begin at 7:45 a.m. at the Pine Point Fire Barn, where children ages 5-11 can register for a Fun Run. The race will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Racers will run along Pine Point Beach until they hit Hurd Park, where the parade will begin at 9 a.m. 

The parade route is about a half-mile long, from Hurd Park down Pine Point Road and back to the Fire Barn.

“Generally people will put together a little family band or show off their car in the parade,” organizer Ed Cleary said.

After the parade, strawberry shortcake will be served on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cleary as of Wednesday was still looking for a new bagpiper to lead the parade, as well as families or businesses who’d like to participate. For more information, call him at 730-2625.

Cape Elizabeth

No public festivities are scheduled this year in Cape Elizabeth, but the town wants residents to know Town Hall, Thomas Memorial Library, the Recycling Center and Community Services will be closed in observance of the holiday on Monday.

The Fitness Center and the Donald L. Richards Pool will be closed July 3 and 4. The Recycling Center will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, July 5.

Mario Moretto can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 106 or mmoretto@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @riocarmine.

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John Kierstead will portray Benjamin Franklin at the South Portland Independence Day Celebration at Bug Light Park on Monday. Kierstead will read the Declaration of Independence.

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