Augusta Fourth of July parade time changed to morning

AUGUSTA – The city’s Fourth of July parade will begin in the State House parking lot at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 4 – a change from recent years, when the parade has been in the afternoon.
The parade will proceed down Capitol Street, turning left onto State Street, through Memorial Circle down Water Street, and across the Bridge Street end at Fort Western on the east side of the Kennebec River.
The theme this year is “The Year of the Fort: Celebrating the Gannett Legacy.” Genie Gannett, great-granddaughter of William Howard Gannett and granddaughter of Guy Patterson Gannett, will be the grand marshal. Mayor Mark O’Brien will take the stage outside Fort Western’s palisade to read the Declaration of Independence after the parade. The original Declaration was read at Fort Western in 1789.
Following the reading, a cannonade of 13 volleys will then be made representing the 13 original colonies.
There will also be family friendly fun in Mill Park and more downtown.
This year’s fireworks display will be a dual event shortly after 9 p.m., launching from both the East Side Boat Landing and Mill Park.