Celebrating the 4th of July in Bar Harbor – Here’s What You Need to Know
If you're celebrating the 4th of July in Bar Harbor here's everything you need to know!
Don't feed the parking meters or kiosks!
The Town of Bar Harbor will not be enforcing paid parking at the meters or kiosks on July 4th! However, any illegally parked vehicles will be ticketed and/or towed. Be mindful of yellow painted zones, hydrants, and not blocking driveways.
Do NOT Park on the Sand Bar to Watch Fireworks
Low tide on Tuesday July 4th is at 6:05 p.m. The tide will be out during the fireworks show, but will quickly come in. Due to heavy traffic leaving West Street vehicles may find themselves stuck on Bridge Street /The Bar for extended periods of time and risk submersion.
Do NOT Park in the Newport Drive Parking Lot after Noon
No parking will be allowed after 12 p.m. on July 4 in the Newport Drive parking lot which is by the public bathrooms adjacent to Agamont Park and on-street portions of Main and West adjacent to Agamont Park. The Bar Harbor Police and Fire Departments need these areas clear for the fireworks! Unfortunately every year cars are towed because people don't read the signs! Don't let this be you this year!
The Parade
The Parade steps off at 10 a.m. and will last normally 45 minutes to a hour! The Bar Harbor Police Department will close all roads that intersect with the parade route around 9:45 a.m. Vehicles will not be able to drive or cross the route until the parade finishes, unless participating in the parade.
Lots of candy is usually gently tossed during the parade. Please bring a bag to collect it. Please also insure your children do NOT run in the middle of the parade to get a loose piece of candy. There are a lot of motorized vehicles and lots of people! Having driven in parades before the biggest nightmare is seeing a child dart into the middle of the road! Please also try to stay on the sidewalks where possible.
The Island Explorer Runs a Special Schedule on the 4th of July
Parking is going to be hard to find on the 4th! You are encouraged to use the FREE to USE Island Explorer. Here's the link for the special 4th of July schedule. The Island Explorer will be staging buses to get people to the Campgrounds after the fireworks!
Fireworks
The fireworks will be shot off beginning approximately at 9:15 p.m. One of the best places to view the fireworks is from Agamont Park. Please do NOT bring your dogs to the fireworks! Remember there will be thousands leaving a small area when fireworks are over. Go to the bathroom before you get into your vehicle! Take your time, turn on the air-conditioner have a bottle of water or other non-alcoholic beverage and have patience as you drive home.
3rd Annual Lobster Scavenger Hunt
Participants will be tasked with finding as many plush lobsters as they can, hidden at a number of local businesses in downtown Bar Harbor, between Saturday, July 1st and Wednesday, July 5th. Once a lobster is located, they’ll need to log the number found on each lobsters’ race bib on their scavenger hunt cards. Those cards then need to be submitted before the deadline at noon on July 5th in order to be entered into the raffle and win some awesome prizes.
You can download your Scavenger Hunt Card here or pick one up at the MDI YMCA, 21 Park Street, Bar Harbor.
Also, make sure to visit the Y between July 1st and July 5th to get your official YMCA Lobster Scavenger Hunt gear including sweatshirts and tote bags!
The lobsters will be dressed in their racing attire with a racing bib number. Participants will be given a list of business locations and you'll have to record their corresponding race number on the Scavenger Hunt Card.
Pancake Breakfast and Seafood Festival
The Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club will hold its traditional Pancake Breakfast at the Bar Harbor Athletic Field on Park Street from 6 a.m to 10 a.m. Blueberry or plain pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, sausage, orange juice, milk, water, tea, and coffee. A fun morning feast for the whole family, and a great way to fuel up for the day ahead! All proceeds from the event support Rotary projects and local nonprofits.
From 11 a.m to 2 p.m. The Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club will be offering delicious lunch options to keep you fueled up for the remainder of the day! Bring the whole family to the Bar Harbor Athletic Field on Park Street to enjoy Maine lobster rolls and crab rolls, hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries, watermelon, chips, water, and sodas. All proceeds from the event support Rotary projects and local nonprofits.
Live Music at The Pier
Stake your claim to Agamont Park and enjoy the FREE concert series at the Town Pier leading up to the fireworks. Live music will go from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. With family-friendly tunes for dancing and listening as you wander by the harbor or stake out your seat for the fireworks! Featuring performances by The Smith Collaboration, Cryin' Out Loud and The Crown Vics. Sponsored by the Bar Harbor Hospitality Group. Produced by the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
The Bar Harbor Town Band
They will be performing at the Gazebo at the Village Green from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m on the 4th of July.
Craft Fair/Marketplace
This will take place from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. at the YMCA Parking Lot at Park Street next to the Ballfields.
Check out photos from the 2022 4th of July Parade
Bar Harbor's 2022 4th of July Parade
Check out photos from the 2021 4th of July Parade
Bar Harbor 2021 4th of July Parade
There was no parade in 2020 because of COVID.
Check out photos from the 2019 4th of July Parade
Bar Harbor 2019 4th of July Parade