Heritage Days - Bath, Maine's July 4th Celebration

Bath’s largest annual celebration - Heritage Days - is upon us. The 4th of July festival 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.

Independence Day celebrations historically in Bath typically included a parade, music, and a mustering of the militia, 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 today!

You can see all the 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.

Highlights include: a fun run, free music at the Waterfront Park, a carnival, an art show, a book sale, a Firemen’s muster, a Kids Day, a parade and an antique car show, and of course, fireworks.

The image at the top (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!

The 2024 Heritage Days is the 50th anniversary! And this year the festival starts on July 4th (through Sunday the 7th). The big day starts with a 1 & 5 mile fun run and race at 7am. Register here.

Then comes the Independence Day Parade at 10am with the theme “50 Years of Family, Fun and Fireworks!” (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 begin at Waterfront Park to and through Fireworks (typically starting at 9:15pm), best seen anywhere along Bath’s Kennebec River 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!