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 2018 - "Learning - It's a Lifelong Journey!"

7:00 AM		Pancake Breakfast Breakfast will be served in the Masonic Temple located on Main Street in Thomaston.
7:00 AM		Kids One Mile Fun Race & 5K Firecracker Race Sign Up Sign up for the races will be on Beechwood Street by Route One. 7:00 - 8:00 am. In front of the former Water Dog Tavern Free entry for kids under age 12 and tee-shirt prizes. 5K Firecracker Race entry fees Pre-register online @www.runinarace.com/Firecracker/index.html Thank you to our sponsors and to the hard working volunteers who get up so early every 4th of July!
8:00 AM		One Mile Fun Race Starts Fun Race will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Beechwood Street.
8:30 AM		5K Firecracker Race Starts Starts on Beechwood Street.
9:00 AM		Craft Tent Opens Craft Tent open until 4:00 PM and will be located behind the Masonic Temple Building. Craft vendors may: Download Craft tent vendor application pdf AND Craft tent vendor cover letter 2017 to print and return.
8:30 AM		Parade Staging Staging area for the parade will be located on Dwight Street by the town cemetery in Thomaston. The 2018 theme is "Learning: It's a Life Long Journey!". For a parade application, email parade@thomaston4thofjuly.com OR Download Parade application and line-up map.
9:15 AM		Pet Show Volunteers run the Pet Show! Bring all of your pets. Pet Show will be located behind the Thomaston Business Block, in front of Lura Libby School. Loyal Biscuit sponsors the show prizes - special treat/goodie bags for pets. Thank you to all!
11:00 AM		4th of July Parade Staging area for the parade will be by the town cemetery in Thomaston. Gather at 8:30am...for a parade application, email parade@thomaston4thofjuly.com. OR Download Parade application and line-up map. The parade will stage by the cemetery, head out Erin St. where it will enter Main Street and move South through town center. It will disband on Booker St. 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, announcement of parade prize winners.
12:00 PM		Booths Open All booths open - large variety of food, face painting, souvenirs. All proceeds from purchases made at 4th of July Committee booth benefit the festivities.
12:00 PM		Chicken Barbecue Chicken Barbecue will be located behind the business block until sold out. This barbecue is put on by volunteers. All proceeds support 4th of July festivities. Thank you to our volunteers!
12:00 PM		Bouncy Houses Two bouncy houses, Free for children. Fun for all from after the parade, until 8 PM. All donations go to the 4th of July festivities.
1:00 PM
12:30 PM		Blind Albert - Band .From 12:30 - 3:30 p.m.
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		Band - MLC - (Mid Life Crisis) Popular musical entertainment
9:15 PM		Fireworks In the event of rain or fog, the fireworks will be rescheduled to July 5th. Thank you to all the volunteers who spend their afternoon setting up the gorgeous fireworks display!

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.

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 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".