Fun-filled Fourth on the Common

Tue, 07/07/2026 - 11:42am

LISA KRISTOFF

This gleeful wee girl runs back to her family after sinking Marine Corps veteran Charlie Stanley at the BCA's Fourth on the Common July 3. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

A girl runs back to her family after sinking Marine Corps veteran Charlie Stanley at BCA's Fourth on the Common July 3. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Imij Armstead singing the "Star Spangled Banner" a capella. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Imij Armstead sings the "Star Spangled Banner" a capella. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Ashley, Shawn and Ava Simmons. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Chris and Dave Gagne. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

This man climbs down carefully after unfurling the flag. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Grillmaster Martin Page with Lisa Walby and Ben Rankins. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Pie eating contest winner Ryker Baldson, 7. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Imij Armstead facepainting. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Krystle Hodgdon at the Boosters table. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Lining up for food and cold drinks. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

A girl runs back to her family after sinking Marine Corps veteran Charlie Stanley at BCA's Fourth on the Common July 3. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Imij Armstead sings the "Star Spangled Banner" a capella. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Ashley, Shawn and Ava Simmons. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Chris and Dave Gagne. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

This man climbs down carefully after unfurling the flag. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Grillmaster Martin Page with Lisa Walby and Ben Rankins. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Pie eating contest winner Ryker Baldson, 7. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Imij Armstead facepainting. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Krystle Hodgdon at the Boosters table. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Lining up for food and cold drinks. LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

LISA KRISTOFF/Boothbay Register

Grillmeister Martin Page with Lisa Walby and hub.JPG

On the Fourth of July, an enormous American flag was displayed high above an area of Boothbay Common, site of the annual Boothbay Civic Association (BCA) event. This longtime favorite event featured live music, and children's games, including watermelon and pie eating competitions, and a dunk tank.

Music began with the Boothbay Region Community Band until 11 a.m. At noon, Imij Armstead sang the "Star Spangled Banner" a capella, with people's hands on their hearts. As applause began to quiet, Armstead made her way to the face painting tent. Chris and Dave Gagne played for the rest of the event, children's songs, folk favorites, and songs of the '60s and 70s.

A grill station stayed fired up thanks to volunteer chefs Martin Page, Lisa Walby and Ben Rankins. Krystle Hodgdon, representing the Boosters Club, provided snacks and sweets with popcorn and cotton candy.

The dunk tank's dunkee was Marine Corps veteran Charlie Stanley representing, and raising money for, Maine Chapter 7 Freedom Riders Association. Stanley founded this group on July 5, 2023. At last count, the group was 274 motorcylists joining together to provide support for veterans and first responders.

The pie eating contest was won by Ryker Balsdo, 7; watermelon eating, won by Kennedy Davis, 11.

BCA's Arts & Crafts group had six to eight tents filled with temptations.

People on the Common were sporting free Fourth of July hats or headbands and/or waving small American flags.