Getting to the Island on the 4th of July

If you're heading to the Island on the 4th of July, expect LOTS of traffic! Parking will be at a premium, and the Bar Harbor Police Department is reminding everyone to follow all parking rules, please obey all no parking signs and respect private property. You'll want to allow for time to find parking. Remember pedestrians have the right of way in cross walks, and pedestrians should NOT just dart across the street, but cross at the designated cross walks. The free Island Explorer is one of the best ways to access the Island, and if you click HERE you'll find the special 4 of July schedules.

According to the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, there are over 90 units in the 4th of July Parade.

Here is the route of the parade, courtesy of the Bar Harbor Police Department

" The blue arrows show the route and the orange lines designate where roads are closed by barricades or Police Department personnel. The start and finish line for the parade is at the intersection of Park and Main Streets.

The parade starts at Park St. and travels North on Main Street until the Cottage Street intersection and then travels West on Cottage Street until the Eden Street intersection. The parade then travels South on Eden Street until the Mount Desert Street intersection and then travels East on Mount Desert Street until the Ledgelawn Avenue intersection. The parade then ventures South on Ledgelawn Avenue until the Park Street  intersection. At the Park Street and Ledgelawn Avenue intersection, floats travel a variety of ways because of lack of parking at the start / finish line."

The parade is expected to last at least 1 hour and 20 minutes from start to finish.

If you stay for the fireworks at approximately 9:15 PM, the Bar Harbor Police offer this note about leaving Bar Harbor whether heading off the Island, or to other parts on Mount Desert Island