Things to do in Bath, Maine this weekend - July 1st - July 4th, 2022
Fourth of July, we have learned in our years living here, is the true kick off to summer in Maine- we have reliably sunny and warm weather, every sunset and sunrise is the best you ever saw, and the coastal towns sparkle. Although Mayor Vaughn’s declaration in the movie, Jaws, wasn’t completely forthright, the sentiment about the importance of the holiday rings true: “It’s a beautiful day, the beaches are open, and people are having a wonderful time.”
Bath’s Hertitage Days comes back in full swing after a two-year pandemic absence, and, as the name suggests, many of the events and activities have an association with the city’s history. With FREE live music on two stages, a beer garden and a carnival all four days, plus a variety of special events spread over the whole long weekend, there is something for everyone. Pick up one of the programs around town (pictured) or check out the full schedule and details online, but here are my highlights:
Friday - Today, Embar is running our ⚓ Downtown Bath Walking Tour at a special time - 11am. Then, your afternoon is clear to head to the beach or Sewell Pond and head back to Bath as Heritage Days kicks off in the afternoon at 5pm with a 🍔Morse High School Boosters BBQ at Library Park (get there early), followed by music in the gazebo. The 🎢 carvinal, concessions and beer garden open at Waterfront Park at 5pm as well, and there are two live performances at the Waterfront Stage.
Saturday morning Our ⚓ Downtown Walking Tour runs again today at 9:30am. The fabulous Bath 👩🏼🌾 Farmer’s Market is relocated for this one Satuday to the BIW parking lot, adjacent to Bath’s Regional Information Center. After that, head back to Library Park for 🖌️ “Art in the Park” and the 📚 Library Book sales, from 10am-4pm (today and tomorrow). Don’t miss the 👩🏼🚒 Fireman’s Muster at 12noon, right in front of the Library on Front Street. The first Fireman’s Muster was held in 1849 in Bath - “a competition among crews with hand pumped fire engines to see who could shoot the longest stream of water.” (You gotta see it to believe it.)
Saturday night 🎸Music all afternoon and evening at Waterfront Park, every day, but this night brings a particular highlight: Masterstroke, The Queen Experience band. Their set begins at 8:30pm. Can’t wait!
Sunday We are offering our 🏘️ Historic Neighborhood Tour at 11am today. It meets at Library Park and explores four long blocks (about 1 mile round trip) of stunning historic homes. The Art and Library book sales continue. From 9am-2pm, check out the 🛻 Front Street Shuffle Antique Car Show on, you guessed it, Front Street.
Monday, July 4th Maine’s biggest Fourth of July 🥁 Parade kicks off at 10am. (But wait, maybe you want ot do a 🏃🏼♀️ 5mile/1mile fun run at 7:15 first?) At the end of the parade, look for the Embark Maine Tours gang - we will be helping to guide Main Street Bath’s float over the route. At noon, head over to the Library Park for the 🍓 Strawberry Shortcake Social. From noon-3pm at the same Park, you can enjoy Kids Day - activities all afternoon; and of course live music continues at Waterfront Park. 🎆 Fireworks begin at 9:15. 🎆 The fireworks are launched from the riverbank in Woolwich (the town across the Kennebec from Bath), just north of the bridges. See last year’s blog post for best ideas of where to go to watch.
Of course Bath’s amazing restaurants and shops will be having specials and sales. See previous “Things to Do” posts for some of my recommendations. Well, we have had two years to rest up for this year’s Heritage Days, the weather looks to be beautiful, and you are all but guaranteed a good time. Here’s that full schedule again. See you out and about in Bath, I hope!
