Tue, 07/05/2016 - 5:00pm

KEVIN BURNHAM

A grand selection of pies awaits the crowd taking in the chicken barbecue on July 4. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The Boothbay Region Community Band opens the Boothbay Civic Association’s 30th annual Fourth of July Celebration. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The racks of chicken cook on the grill. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Longtime BCA Fourth of July celebration organizer Joan Rittall welcomes the crowd to the event. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

This young lady gets ready to fire a pitch at the dunk tank – her boyfriend, Ryan Murphy, was waiting to be dunked. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Ryan Murphy kisses his friend after getting dunked. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Arthur Webster, right, and Gabe Tonon perform “Centerfield” on the gazebo. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

This little girl enjoys the shade and a water cannon. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Fran McBrearty walks to his table to enjoy his barbecued chicken, homemade pie, salad and cold soda. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Was this dog the model for the wooden silhouette? KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

John Bertolet and Stephanie Hawke take care of the hot dog grilling. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

A painter at work. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Susan Papineau places the chicken on the plates.KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Decorating in the red, white and blue. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The patriotic Robert family. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Boothbay Harbor Selectman Wendy Wolf is decked out in patriotic colors. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

A grand selection of pies awaits the crowd taking in the chicken barbecue on July 4. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The Boothbay Region Community Band opens the Boothbay Civic Association’s 30th annual Fourth of July Celebration. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The racks of chicken cook on the grill. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Longtime BCA Fourth of July celebration organizer Joan Rittall welcomes the crowd to the event. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

This young lady gets ready to fire a pitch at the dunk tank – her boyfriend, Ryan Murphy, was waiting to be dunked. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Ryan Murphy kisses his friend after getting dunked. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Arthur Webster, right, and Gabe Tonon perform “Centerfield” on the gazebo. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

This little girl enjoys the shade and a water cannon. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Fran McBrearty walks to his table to enjoy his barbecued chicken, homemade pie, salad and cold soda. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Was this dog the model for the wooden silhouette? KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

John Bertolet and Stephanie Hawke take care of the hot dog grilling. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

A painter at work. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Susan Papineau places the chicken on the plates.KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Decorating in the red, white and blue. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The patriotic Robert family. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Boothbay Harbor Selectman Wendy Wolf is decked out in patriotic colors. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The Boothbay Civic Association’s 30th annual Fourth of July celebration eventually attracted a good crowd after a slow start — perhaps due to the hot sun beating down on the Boothbay Common. Many of the attendees came for the delicious barbecued chicken dinner, which was served shortly before noon.

The early arrivals got to take in the music provided by the Boothbay Region Community Band, area entertainer Arthur Webster and musician Gabe Tonon. The dozens of craft tents were not crowded, either, early on, and shoppers found some good bargains.

Hot dog grill master John Bertolet got a new (used) and bigger grill to use — thanks to Rep. Stephanie Hawke — and the hot dog tent kept busy before the chicken was served.

Organizer Joan Rittall welcomed the crowd to the event while her small army of helpers sliced the pies, got the chicken ready for cooking and iced down the soda and water.

Kids had fun in the “water-themed” activity area set up by Desiree Scorcia. For some reason, the Boothbay Fire Department’s dunk tank was slow ... Maybe it was because pitching in the hot weather didn’t appeal to the attendees.