Things to do in Bath, Maine this weekend, June 30-July 4th 2023 - Heritage Days!

Bath’s largest annual celebration - Heritage Days - is upon us. The schedule is packed with old favorites and new gems. Any updates or changes (especially due to weather) will be posted first on Main Street Bath’s Facebook page.

Celebrations historically in Bath typically included a parade, music, and a mustering of the Bath City Grays. (Learn more about a jam packed July 4th in Bath in 1849.) In 1852, “signal rockets” were thrown up from South Hill, from sundown until 9pm to be followed by a great “Fire Works display.” All local communities were invited to participate. Same can be said in 2023!

You can see all the 2023 details and the whole schedule on Main Street Bath’s website and pick up a print copy around town. Most/all of the activities take place in or adjacent to one of two locations: Waterfront Park or Library Park. And if you like your information in narrative form, I am here to serve!

Friday, events kick off near the Kennebec River from 5-10pm with the Carnival, local food trucks and beer garden at Waterfront Park. (These attractions continue every day through July 4th). One block away, from 5-7pm Library Park hosts a BBQ for Morse High School Boosters and the Bath Swing Band performs in the Gazebo.

On Saturday, the annual Firemen’s Muster 🧑‍🚒 takes place from 12-3pm on Front Street, on the corner of Linden St, near the Hampton Inn (also adjacent to the Library Park). Watch teams work antique hand pumps to see who can project their stream of water furthest south on Front Street. The image above (courtesy of the Patten Free Library collections) shows a 1920 Armistice Day Muster at Library Park (you can see the Library building to the right). The first ever Firemen’s Muster (from the Latin monstrare meaning “to show” or assemble as commonly used) was said to have taken place in Bath in 1849! Or did it? Either way it went viral from there!

Also on Saturday (and Sunday) Library Park, from 10am-4pm hosts “Art in the Park” and live music in the Gazebo, as well as food trucks, a wine garden (!) and the annual Patten Free Library book sale.

On Saturday at 3-10pm, the Waterfront Park stage begins to host a bevvy of top notch musical acts, continuing throughout Heritage Days. Alternative, Soul, R&B, Jazz, Indie, Funk and Folk are all represented.

On Sunday, a similar schedule continues, with the Carnival and live music at Waterfront Park,and Art in the Park and the Library book sale at Library Park.

Monday, July 3rd, is known as “Kids Day” at Library Park with old-fashioned games from 10am-3pm and a (new this year!) sword fighting demo at 1pm. Live music and Carnival continue Waterfront Park.

Tuesday, July 4th features a 1 & 5 mile fun run and race at 7am. Register here. Then comes the Independence Day Parade with the theme “Sail Forth!” at 10am (route runs from Oak Grove Ave. to Lincoln St. to Centre St. to Front St.). Then, how about a Strawberry 🍓 Shortcake social at 11am-1pm in Library Park? The Carnival and live music continue at Waterfront Park to and through Fireworks (typically starting at 9:15pm), best seen anywhere along Bath’s waterfront. They are “thrown up” from the east side of the river (Woolwich). Some folks even watch from the Sagadahoc Bridge across the Kennebec.

Embark Maine Tours will be running our history focused 👣 walking tours all weekend. Check the schedule and book your spot at our website. Hope to see you out there! If you would like this weekly news sent to your inbox, sign up here.