2023 - July 4th Celebration in Bar Harbor

Description

Bar Harbor will once again be celebrating Independence Day with a day of festivities including the annual Fourth of July parade, concert series and evening fireworks display over Frenchman Bay.

The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce is encouraging the businesses and residents in the community to decorate their stores, lodging establishments, banks, restaurants, homes, lawns, or porch to make the entire town red, white and blue!

Some Important Things to Note
July 4th Parking

• We recommend that people park at the Ferry Terminal lot and walk into town.  
• In association with the fireworks display, the Town Pier will be closed for the whole day on the 4th of July.
• Parking and vehicle traffic will be unavailable after 12pm on the 4th of July from Rodick Street to Main Street and Newport Drive to West Street (including the Newport Drive Parking area). Any vehicles found parking in those areas after 12 pm will be towed at the owner's expense.

Public Transportation

• If you are considering taking the Island Explorer bus, be sure to stay up-to-date on their July 4 schedule as it differs from normal operation. 

Helpful Apps to Download

• Bar Harbor App: Discover, plan, and share your Bar Harbor trip. Available on the App Store or Google Play. 
• MyStop® App: For those interested in utilizing the fare-free Island Explorer bus, which connects the park with the surrounding communities on Mount Desert Island and the Schoodic Peninsula, this app allows you to view real-time bus locations and the next available buses. Tip: Remember that the Island Explorer July 4 schedule differs from its normal operating hours. 

Have a Safe and Fun 4th of July!

• July 1 - July 5: 3rd Annual Lobster Scavenger Hunt

  The 3rd Annual Mount Desert Island YMCA Lobster Scavenger Hunt will take place in downtown Bar Harbor from July 1st to July 5th. Participants will be hunting for lobsters at local businesses throughout the downtown village. Starting on June 28th you can download your Scavenger Hunt Card here, pick one up at the MDI YMCA, 21 Park Street, Bar Harbor, or access a digital card here. Completed cards will need to be returned to the YMCA by noon on Tuesday, July 5th to be entered for some awesome raffle prizes. Visit the Y between June 28th and July 5th to get your official YMCA Lobster Scavenger Hunt gear, including T-shirts, lobster hats, and tote bags! Generously sponsored by Geddy's.

   

• 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM Pancake Breakfast

  The Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club will hold its traditional Pancake Breakfast at the Bar Harbor Athletic Field on Park Street. 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.

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Craft Fair/Marketplace
The Island Arts Association will hold a Craft Fair/Marketplace at the YMCA, 21 Park Street, featuring a wonderful selection of Maine crafts, including jewelry, quilts, photographs, pottery, and porcelain dolls. Please join us for this joint fundraiser for the YMCA and the YWCA. Please call the YWCA at 207-288-5008 for additional information.
 
10:00 AM Independence Day Parade 
The community shows off its patriotism and good humor as the parade winds through downtown Bar Harbor from Main Street to Cottage Street to Eden Street to Mt. Desert Street to Ledgelawn Avenue. Click here to download a map of the parade route. 

Produced by the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce.