The Eastport Fourth of July Committee has been hard at work creating another homecoming week for visitors, residents and families coming from near and far to celebrate the annual holiday. From the Grand Parade on July 4, with its theme of "Land that I Love," to races and contests of all sorts, fair food and fireworks, the roster of events is sure to please.
      For the first time since 2019, the island city will host a U.S. Navy ship, the USS Oscar Austin, a Bath built Arleigh Burke class destroyer, from Norfolk, Va. The ship will spend six days at the Eastport breakwater, arriving on Friday, June 30, and sailing on Wednesday, July 5. The 510 foot ship has a crew of 329, including over 30 officers. The destroyer is named for Private First Class Oscar Austin, a U.S. Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor for self sacrifice and heroism during the Vietnam War.

Each day
      Starting at 10 a.m., the craft fair and vendors will be open for shoppers in the downtown.
      From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Tides Institute & Museum of Art exhibition, Ceramic Works of Peter Powning, is on view at 43 Water Street. While wandering the downtown, look for opportunities for tintype portraits by photographer Karen Stentaford at TIMA's StudioWorks building at 48 Water Street.
      And for a fun bit of exercise, sightseeing and a sweet reward go on a scavenger hunt for a special Fourth of July rock hidden downtown. The hunt is sponsored by Sweeties Downeast, and a $10 gift card goes to those finding the special rocks and turning them in at the downtown candy shop.

Saturday, July 1
      For local history enthusiasts, at 1 p.m. there will be a book-signing by Mark Borton, author of Moondoogle: Franklin Roosevelt and the Fight for Tidal Electric Power at Passamaquoddy Bay , held at StudioWorks at 48 Water Street.
      For the more limber, the library lawn will be the site of a 1 p.m. frisbee contest followed by a limbo contest at 1:30 p.m.
      A public reception for the officers and crew of the USS Oscar Austin will be held at the Welcome Center by the breakwater at 2 p.m., and the ship's crew will play a basketball game against Shead alumni at 5:30 p.m. in the Shead gym.
      At 3 p.m. the bike races start halfway down Deep Cove Road and end at the fire station. Trike riders and ages 2 to 4 meet and race at the parking lot.
      An Open Mic Night sponsored by Dastardly Dick's will be held at the Eastport Arts Center from 6 to 8 p.m., and to wrap up the day there will be a street dance at Overlook Park from 7:30 to 10 p.m. with family friendly music to kick off the celebration.

Sunday, July 2
      Starting off the day from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. is registration for the Charles E. Davis Independence Run and Walk, a 7 mile run or 4 mile walk. Registration is at Shead High School or online. The run and walk begin at 9 a.m. at Perry corner or from Carlow Island and end at the Eastport breakwater.
      The children's cupcake decorating contest is at 10 a.m. at Overlook Park. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. there will be laser tag and caricatures on the library lawn.
      At 11 a.m. the watermelon-eating contest will commence at Overlook Park. Starting at 1 p.m. at Overlook Park will be the Little Mr. & Miss 4th of July Contest, ages 2 to 4.
      The Class of 1968 reunion will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Lobster Crate in Perry.
      From 2 to 4 p.m. the restored Civil War murals will be on display for viewing at the GAR Veterans Hall, located at 6 Green Street.
      Also from 2 to 4 p.m., an artist's reception will be held at the Eastport Arts Center for the show, "People and Place: 40 Years of Quoddy Tides Photographs by Edward French."
      From 2:30 to 4 p.m. keep an eye out for magician Phil Smith, roaming downtown for some epic magic tricks.
      For some adorable pet activity, the pet show will start at 4 p.m. at Overlook Park, with categories including cutest, most patriotic, best tricks, most unusual and best of show.
      At 5 p.m. there will be the Class of 1973 memorial bench dedication by city officials at Overlook Park.
      Over at Shead High School at 5:30 p.m., award winning magician Phil Smith of Abracadabra Productions will put on a dazzling show. Admission is fee.
      The Class of 1993 reunion will be at 5 p.m. at the WaCo Diner on Water Street; the Class of 1973 reunion will begin at 6 p.m. at the Old Sow Grill; and the Class of 2013 reunion will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Horn Run Brewing.

Monday, July 3
      The day's festivities start at 9 a.m. with the Dale Lincoln Kids' Fun Run for ages 13 and under. The race starts at the Boat School on Deep Cove Road and ends at the former Dead River Company on Key Street.
      At 9:30 a.m. the Tiny Tots Fair begins at the library lawn. The children's games are for ages five and under.
      The much-loved auction to benefit the Border Historical Society runs from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in front of Quoddy Crafts on Water Street.
      The community portrait by photographer Thaddeus Holownia will be held at 11 a.m. at Sutherland Amphitheater Overlook Park.
      At 12 noon is the Miss 4th of July Contest at Overlook Park. Categories are: Little Miss 5 8, Junior Miss 9 13 and Miss 14 18. Contestants for all age categories must register before 12 noon.
      The delectable strawberry shortcake sale will be at the library park at 1 p.m. and is sponsored by the Peavey Memorial Library board.
      Things start to get wild on the downtown stretch of Water Street at 2 p.m. with the Fireman's Muster, followed at 3:30 p.m. by the annual Codfish Relay Race. Categories for the relay race are 16 and under or 16 and over, and a team must have four members.
      The Class of 2003 reunion is at 6 p.m. at The Cannery restaurant on Water Street.
      From 6 to 8 p.m. live music will be performed by the Minor Characters Band at Overlook Park. And to wrap up the day, at dusk will be the Torchlight Parade starting at the U.S. Post Office and ending at Motel East.

Tuesday, July 4
      At sunrise will be the 63rd annual flag raising at the breakwater. To get the day off to a good start, the annual blueberry pancake breakfast will be held from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Eastport Municipal Airport.
      At 9 a.m. the land sports start with races on Water Street. The penny scramble, in memory of Reid F. Craig, will follow directly after land sports. Also starting at 9 a.m. is the 46th annual Buddy Allen Car, Truck & Bike Show. Cars are welcome to arrive at 8 a.m. Judging begins at 10 a.m. The location will either be at Bank Square or the breakwater.
      At 10 a.m. will be a rousing game of capture the flag at the breakwater. Fans of the Rubber Ducky Race will need to keep a close eye on the tide schedule, as the exact race start will depend on it, but it's tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. Ducks cost $5 and are available in advance at the First National Bank or during select events at Overlook Park. Ducks will race between the Fish Pier and the WaCo Diner.
      The annual blueberry pie eating contest will start at 11 a.m. at Overlook Park. For the more fastidious, also at 11 a.m., is the crab roll and bake sale at the Eastport Senior Citizens Center.
      Starting at 12 noon will be the Doll Carriage, Wagon, Bike and Trike Parade, sponsored by the Eastport Youth Association. The parade starts at the U.S. Post Office and ends at Bank Square. From 1 to 3:30 p.m. the arts center will be open for The Quoddy Tides photography exhibit.
      At 2 p.m. will be the Grand Independence Day Parade with its theme of "Land that I Love." Floats line up on Staniels Road by the youth center. Judging is at 1:15 p.m.
      From 4:30 to 6 p.m. will be Barbara's School of Dance at Overlook Park, and from 6 to 8:30 p.m. will be live music by The Stillwaters Band, also at Overlook Park.
      Wrapping up the July 4 celebration will be the grand presentation of Eastport's fireworks display at the waterfront.
      The Eastport Fourth of July Committee is volunteer run and is always grateful for donations to help put on the events. They can be sent to: Eastport 4th of July Committee, PO Box 187, Eastport, ME 04631.