The 28th annual Independence Day celebration on the Boothbay Common will happen on Friday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but if it does rain, the event will be held July 5.

The celebration. organized by the Boothbay Civic Association, will start with the Community Band playing from the gazebo on the Common, opening the festivities with the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." State Rep. Bruce MacDonald will give a welcoming address before local musician Arthur Webster replaces the band on the gazebo at about 10:30 a.m.

Arrive hungry as the chicken barbecue (still only $10!) is one of the big draws of the event. While waiting for the food to be prepared, you can wander around the Common and visit the dozens of crafters' booths set up along the perimeter.

Children's games will be available and kids may want to bring their bathing suits to participate in the Boothbay Fire Department's dunk tank.

Boothbay Craft Brewery will be serving specialty sodas, blueberry and root beer, and the BCA will be grilling hot dogs.

At around noon, the chicken meals, served with potato salad or cole slaw, a roll, homemade pie and beverage. Also at noon, musicians Rick Turcotte and Scott Rittall will entertain from the gazebo. The final performers of the day, Paul Johnson and Amber Jones, will take to the gazebo around 2 p.m.

The event raises money for the BCA which financially supports local projects and groups.