Portland, Maine, Holding July 4th Fireworks Celebration With Live Music This Year

Maine's largest city has typically held the state's largest and most expansive fireworks show to celebrate the July 4 holiday. But for many onlookers, the last three years have felt a little underwhelming.

A lot of that was tied to the lack of live music that had accompanied the fireworks show in Portland each summer. The Portland Symphony Orchestra had become a fixture on the Eastern Promenade, offering up a soundtrack for the evening before the bursts of color filled the sky.

Shared on Facebook by City of Portland, Maine, live music will return to the fireworks show for 2024. It won't be the PSO, however. Instead, the Casco Bay Wind Symphony will fill the musical void for those celebrating the fireworks display on the Eastern Prom.

According to the Portland Press Herald, the music-less fireworks display in recent years was due to a lack of private funding and organization. Without the additional support, the city couldn't afford to put on their typical powerhouse fireworks show, plus the live entertainment. That won't be a problem this year.

In addition to the Casco Bay Wind Symphony performance, there will also be several food trucks ready to feed hungry visitors on July 4. The music is set to begin at 7pm, with the fireworks display taking place when darkness fully sets in.

The City of Portland also announced that the rain date for the celebration will be Friday, July 5. A full list of road closures, as well as available public parking for the display, can be found here.