The streets of Eastport were filled with joyous throngs in celebration of Old Home Week, culminating in an enthusiastic turnout on July 4 for the Grand Independence Day Parade capped off by a luminous fireworks display. It was a classic return to form for the festival -- regarded as the largest in Maine -- with the nearly perfect weather drawing in visitors from across the county and beyond.
      Beginning on July 1, the week's momentum was built on the backs of athletes of various skill levels who tried their hand at frisbee and limbo contests on the library lawn, followed by bicycle races near Deep Cove Road. The evening saw a lively crowd at the street dance downtown as family friendly music intended to get people grooving continued into the night. Canada Day fireworks being shot off from both Deer Island Point and the Roosevelt cottage on Campobello could be seen across the bay.
      Tuesday, July 2, was the opening day for pageantry, as youngsters competed to win Little Mr. and Miss Fourth of July by donning their finest attire and showcasing their charisma. A bevy of pets, many of them dogs, did the same for their chance at a variety of titles a few hours later. Cupcake artists worked in their medium of choice to perfect their offerings, generally just before devouring them -- in some cases showing as much fervor as the participants in the watermelon-eating contest a short while later.
      That evening saw the arrival of the USS Forrest Sherman, a 510-foot guided missile destroyer, and its crew of 325 sailors. The Sipayik women's drum group, Cipelahq Ehpicik, welcomed the Navy ship and one of its sailors in particular, Tobias Francis, who is from Sipayik. His grandmothers, Cyril Francis and Hilda Lewis, along with a good number of Sipayik residents, were on the breakwater to greet Francis, who was up on the bridge of the ship as it docked.
      Abundant warmth and sunshine characterized Wednesday's events, which saw the return of the wildly popular codfish relay. Multiple heats were held as contestants of all ages struggled to maneuver the increasingly slippery fish while running down Water Street, along with quickly changing into and out of fishermen's overalls -- which didn't entirely serve to spare participants from getting covered in fishy residue. A boisterous crowd, including sailors from the USS Forrest Sherman who also participated, joined in with impassioned yells as the competition mounted.
      The fireman's muster attracted just as many observers, some of whom welcomed the event's massive splash zone in the midday warmth. Children were especially excited by the water themed activities, including several who took the opportunity during set up to run underneath gushing pipes and to dunk their heads into a pool used for filling buckets. The event was kicked off by youngsters competing against one another as they endeavored to close gushing valves, fill barrels of water and seemingly get as wet as possible in a short amount of time. Adult teams from local fire departments, Eastport's Coast Guard Station and the USS Forrest Sherman took the stage afterward, with the latter bringing home the prize.
      It wasn't just the older children and the children at heart who had the opportunity to join in on Wednesday's activities. Although there was no balloon race this year, participants at the Tiny Tots Fair had a fun time with all of the other races, including the egg and spoon race and diaper crawl.
      As Wednesday wound into the evening, the Stillwaters Band kept downtown visitors fully engaged with a raucous set of rockabilly and country music, continuing right up to the Torchlight Parade. While glow sticks now outnumber torches at the parade, the event on the night before the Fourth always provides a sense of revelry and a bit of rowdiness, though not as unruly as the Fourths from the past.
      The Callithumpian Parade, or Parade of Horribles, which used to begin in South End and wind its way through town, is no longer held to kick off the Fourth itself, so, unless one made it to the flag raising at dawn, the races of the land sports start the day with vigor. Attendance and participation were high during the events, which saw mostly children competing at three legged races, sack races and so on, with some adults joining in at the end to test their mettle at hindered locomotion.
      The popular Penny Scramble, held in memory of Reid F. Craig, wrapped up the land sports, as children tried to collect as much candy as they could fit into whatever containers were handy. Directly following was the always entertaining Capture the Flag event in which contestants attempted to grab a pennant from the end of a greased wooden pole sticking out over the harbor. One of the first to grab the flag was Clarence Grant of Columbia, also known as UnckleJed on TikTok, who handily proved that having a full white head of hair doesn't stop one from accomplishing impressive athletic feats.
      As the morning continued, the weather took on a threatening edge, with cold winds combining with clouds to the point that many began to rethink their attire. Some planned ahead and brought layers -- with one passerby commenting, "It is Maine, after all," while heading back to their vehicle to get their coat. Fortunately, the potential for rain came and went, leaving overcast but otherwise agreeable skies for the afternoon's parades.
      The Doll Carriage, Wagon, Bike and Trike Parade offered a wide range of entries, from cute twins driving matching tiny cars, to two young cops driving a wagon full of young lawbreakers, to an enthusiastic young girl pushing a patriotic doll carriage who began running down the street to wave to all of the crowds.
      During the Grand Independence Day Parade, spectators were treated to a variety of floats, including one celebrating the "Stars of Eastport" -- Old Sow Whirlpool, Harris Point, Fort Sullivan and faith, family and friends. Another float joining in this year commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Roosevelt Campobello International Park. Familiar stand-outs such as the Anah Shriners' miniature vehicle division and two contingents of bagpipers thrilled the crowd.
      Afterward, the Saint John Caledonian Pipe Band played in front of the Peavey Memorial Library, sending shrill melodies into the heavens in Eastport tradition.
      As always, the fireworks were spectacular, with a mix of slow paced firings so one could marvel at the bursts of multi colored lights expanding outward to fill one's entire vision and then fading away, followed by a rapid fire staccato of intense bursts of sound and bright light over the city and the waters, as those along the waterfront and on the boats out in the bay all enjoyed the display, a fitting finale to the grand celebration.