What's happening in Portland, Maine:

Full Moon Ghost Tour

Strange things have been known to happen when the moon is full.  Join your fellow thrill seekers and history lovers for a VERY entertaining romp through Portland's past. Witches, Indian attacks, Pirates...this Ghost Tour has it all. Led by professional actors, you will hear terrific story telling, impersonations, even Stand-up comedy! It's not a lot of walking, but it sure is a lot of fun! Visit our website for details at www.wickedwalkingtours.com. Reservations required

Fireworks Express Train

Catch a ride on the Fireworks Express Train running from 5pm-9pm on July 4th for a special reduced fee of $3/person. The Fireworks Express Trains will depart from the Ocean Gateway visitor center located on Thames Street and drop passengers off near the East End Beach. The special evening train will run prior to the fireworks display only. In addition to evening operations, the museum will be open for regular fare rides during the day from 10am-4pm. Daytime operations will include train rides along the waterfront and will also feature patriotic activities for families and children inside the museum.

RAIN DATE for Stars and Stripes Spectacular

Tonight the City of Portland will hold its Stars and Stripes Spectacular in celebration of the 4^th of July. The event was postponed one day because of severe thunderstorms.

kit. Boaters should be mindful of Coast Guard restrictions in the area.

Schedule:

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

10:00 PM: East End Boat launch, Cutter Street and parking lots closed to the public

Thursday, July 5, 2012

7:00 AM: East End Parking restrictions go into effect.

11:00 AM: Internal street closures (those bordering the Eastern Promenade)

Noon: Vendors open to the public along the Eastern Promenade

4:00 PM Munjoy Hill closed to traffic

6:00 PM Munjoy Hill closed to handicapped parking

7:40 PM: PSO Patriotic Pops Concert

9:20 PM: Fireworks show begins

The annual 4th of July celebration, The Stars and Stripes Spectacular, will be held at the Eastern Promenade Park. The celebration will feature a free Patriotic Pops concert by the Portland Symphony Orchestra with performances of Sousa, Copland, Tchaikovsky and 1984 Olympic theme composer John Williams in anticipation of the Summer Olympics -- making the spectacular a night to celebrate and remember! The concert, presented by Bangor Savings Bank, is scheduled to begin at 7:40 PM and will be broadcast live on WHOM 94.9 FM and will feature a sixty-member chorus. The concert will run throughout the fireworks display, presented by Time Warner Cable, which will begin at approximately 9:20 PM. Call the city’s hotline at 756-8130 if a change seems likely.

The Stars and Stripes Spectacular is entirely privately funded including support from Founding Partners of July 4th Portland, The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, Quirk Chevrolet, Wright Express and the Maine Red Claws. Additional support for this year’s event was provided by the Presenting Sponsor of the Fireworks, Time Warner Cable; The Presenting Sponsor for the Patriotic Pops Concert, Bangor Savings Bank; Gold Sponsors - Unum and Cross Insurance; Silver Sponsors - PowerPay, Woodard & Curran, Famous Dave’s BBQ, Portland Tugboats LLC, Cianbro, Winslow Marine and Cumulus Broadcasting; Contributing Sponsors Proprietors of Union Wharf, MEMIC, KeyBank, Bath Savings Bank, SeaCoast RV, Preti Flaherty, HM Payson, and JB Brown. For information about the events scheduled for the day and ways to support the continuation of the city’s 4th of July celebration in years to come, visit july4thportland.org.

It is estimated that 50,000 people will watch the program throughout the city. To accommodate spectators that want to ride their bikes to Munjoy Hill, Valet Bicycle Parking will be available near the cannon at Fort Allen Park, allowing cyclists to park their bicycle for free. Sponsored by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the Portland Bicycle Community Meetup, people will be able to leave their bike in a staffed parking area, no lock required. Bicycle lights will be available for sale from Gorham Bike & Ski, to ensure that spectators can ride home legally after dark. Valet Bike Parking will be available from 6:00 PM until 10:30 PM.

Attendees are reminded to throw their trash away or take it with them when they leave the park. In an effort to make recycling easier for spectators, recycling bins will be widely available throughout the area for bottles, cans and other material. Staff will be walking through the park to answer questions or direct the public to the nearest recycling bin or trash container. Port-A-Potties will be open at the East End Beach, Turner Street and the top of Cutter Street. Due to the crowds and loud noises, spectators are asked to leave their pets at home.

A variety of vendors offering 4th of July souvenirs, food and drink will be located along the Eastern Promenade.

For the first time this year, the fireworks will be shot from a barge in the bay. Therefore, the tennis and basketball courts, along with the playground and trails will be open to the public for recreational use. The public is asked to use these areas as intended and not for viewing fireworks. The Portland Fire Department reminds residents that sparklers are legal but are very hot and should be used with extreme caution when around other people. Per City Code Sec. 17-32 consumer/personal fireworks are banned in the City of Portland and should not be brought to the Eastern Prom. Fines of at least $200 apply for individuals intending to use fireworks within the city.

Street Closures and Parking Restrictions

The East End Boat launch as well as Cutter Street and all the parking lots on Cutter Street will be closed from 10:00 PM July 3rd to 6:30 AM, July 6th. Boaters can access alternate launches nearby including the Falmouth Town Landing on Route 88 ($10.00 for nonresident, 207-781-7317), Bug Light Boat Launch in South Portland ($5 for resident, $6 for non resident) and Portland Yacht Services (207-774-1067).

The on-street parking will be restricted for the following streets from 7:00 AM until 11:00 PM, July 5th:

• Eastern Promenade (both sides) from Morning Street to Washington Avenue

• Fort Allen Park (both sides)

• Walnut Street from the Eastern Promenade to Washington Avenue

• Mountfort Street from Congress Street to Fore Street (both sides).

There are a number of parking garages and lots just a short walk from the Eastern Promenade, to view a list or map, visit the city's website.

At 11:00 AM on July 5th, the following streets will be closed to the public until 10:00 PM in order to maintain an emergency access route:

• Eastern Promenade from Morning Street to Walnut Street

• Wilson Street from Morning Street to the Eastern Promenade

• Moody Street from Morning Street to the Eastern Promenade

• Congress Street from Morning Street to the Eastern Promenade

• Turner Street from Morning Street to the Eastern Promenade

• Quebec Street from Emerson Street to the Eastern Promenade

• Melbourne Street from Emerson Street to the Eastern Promenade

• Montreal Street from Willis Street to the Eastern Promenade

• Walnut Street from Willis Street to the Eastern Promenade

Munjoy Hill will be closed to all traffic at 4:00 PM on July 5th. Handicapped parking is available on a first come first served basis along Cutter Street and Fort Allen Park. Clearly marked handicapped vehicles will be allowed to pass the barricades until 6:00 PM. Drivers must approach Cutter Street from Fore Street to enter.

Suggested viewing spots for the Stars and Stripes Spectacular include:

The Eastern Promenade Park – extremely limited parking on Munjoy Hill, attendees are advised to arrive early to ensure seating space (Munjoy Hill is closed to traffic at 4:00 PM). Patriotic Pops begins at 7:40 PM.

Back Cove/Payson Park – limited parking available at Baxter Boulevard parking lot (across from Hannaford), Payson Park, Baxter Boulevard and the hillside at Cheverus High School

Peaks Island –view the fireworks at the ferry terminal

Casco Bay – Boaters should be aware that the fireworks will be shot from a barge moored near the East End Beach. Boaters must anchor at least 350 yards from the barge position 43° 40’13.61” N, 070° 14’1.04”W. Questions regarding anchoring restrictions can be directed to the Portland Harbor Master on VHF-FM Channel 16 or 207-807-7156.Boaters are also reminded to adhere to water safety regulations including making sure that each passenger has a floatation device appropriate for the age and size of the passenger; the boat has working lights, and is equipped with a safety