Mon, 07/07/2025 - 1:00pm

FRITZ FREUDENBERGER

The Fourth of July celebration at Boothbay Common. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Imij Armstead sings "The Star-Spangled Banner." FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Boothbay Civic Association organized and hosted the event. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Gwendolyn Watts, 7, won the kids pie eating contest with encouragement from her mother, Kim Watts. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Gwendolyn Watts, 7, wins the kids pie eating contest with encouragement from her mother, Kim Watts. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Bay View Lodge Masons served fresh lemonade. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Bay View Lodge Masons serve fresh lemonade. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Charlie Stanley, with the Freedom Riders Association, went swimming frequently in the dunk tank. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

The All That Matters band. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Watermelon eating contest. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

The Fourth of July celebration at Boothbay Common. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Imij Armstead sings "The Star-Spangled Banner." FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Boothbay Civic Association organized and hosted the event. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Gwendolyn Watts, 7, wins the kids pie eating contest with encouragement from her mother, Kim Watts. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Bay View Lodge Masons serve fresh lemonade. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Charlie Stanley, with the Freedom Riders Association, went swimming frequently in the dunk tank. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

The All That Matters band. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Watermelon eating contest. FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

FRITZ FREUDENBERGER/BOOTHBAY REGISTER

Friends, families and neighbors gathered at Boothbay Common July 4 to celebrate the nation’s independence and a gorgeous day.

Sponsored by Boothbay Civic Association (BCA), the event has been a favorite for several decades. It included performances by the Boothbay Region Community Band, the All That Matters band, and an A Capella rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” from Imij Armstead.

The day was also filled with fun and games. The Freedom Riders Association, which raises money for veterans and first responders, hosted a dunk tank and helped with kids’ games. Other activities included a pie eating contest, watermelon eating contests, a sack race and other events.

In the background, Handcrafted Arts & Crafts Show vendors were there throughout the weekend.

BCA president Martin Page said he has been participating in the event longer than he can remember. He said the turnout was good and he was happy to see families come to celebrate the nation.

For him, the highlight was the children. “Just seeing the smile on the kids' faces. You know, that's what it's all about,” he said. “This is the best part, seeing them out here. They're the next generation to be able to pass this on, and hopefully they’ll (continue it).”