LEWISTON — As America readies for its 236th Independence Day, Lewiston-Auburn is preparing for another Liberty Festival. This Fourth of July, the Twin Cities will be filled with bands, food stands and fireworks as diverse as the country it celebrates.

The action will start at 4:30 p.m., featuring an extensive music lineup spread over three downtown venues, as well as a beer garden, an abundance of food vendors and a climbing wall. It all leads up to the $20,000 fireworks display at about 9:30 p.m. that will light up both cities, ending the night with a literal bang. 

Cathy McDonald, president of the Liberty Festival, has been working throughout the year with a group of about seven others to raise the money needed to fund the festival.

“People might think the city puts it on,” McDonald said, “but we’re a small group of people that work together all year long.”

The organizers of the festival refer to this years’ shindig as being “bigger and better” than ever, and the “jam-packed” entertainment schedule as sure to get even the biggest music critics moving their feet.

The Lewiston Festival Stage at Veterans Park, located at the Lewiston end of the Veterans Memorial Bridge, will host Skosh, the Chad Porter Trio, Firewater Creek and Terry & the Telstars, as well as an array of karaoke finalists from Fusion at the Ramada Inn.

“I’m pretty excited about all of the good local talent,” McDonald said.

For the 21-and-older crowd, the Androscoggin Colisee Showcase Stage at Great Falls Plaza in Auburn, adjacent to TD Bank, will not only have bands galore, but a beer garden provided by Irish Twins Pub. Festival-goers there will hear Spice Weasel, Matt & the Barnburners, Random Order, Kaining Amy, the Luke Mulholland Band, the Brookside Independence Allstars and Cold Blue Steel.

For big-band lovers, the Auburn Community Concert Band will play a show for the first time in Liberty Festival history at Auburn Festival Plaza, on Main Street across from Skelton, Taintor and Abbott, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Also, the Maine Rock Gym will provide a climbing wall and a four-person jumping station from 4 to 9:30 p.m.

The Liberty Festival will be announcing the winner of the Light the Works contest on Tuesday morning. The winner will be lifted in a scissors lift and light the torch to signal the start of the fireworks display on the night of the Forth.

The Liberty Festival sponsor and VIP party will take place at Pedro O’Hara’s restaurant in Lewiston and will feature an all-you-can-eat taco bar. Attendees can indulge in Mexican cuisine, listen to the L-A Harley Band and enjoy the L-A fireworks at the same time. Tickets are $15.

For additional information, to volunteer or to purchase VIP tickets, visit www.libertyfestival.org, email Cathy McDonald at Libertyfestival2012@aol.com or call 212-8227.

Lewiston Festival Stage at Veterans Park, Lewiston

4:30-5:30 p.m.: Skosh

5:30-5:45 p.m.: Karaoke finalist Shannon Fonesca

5:45-6:45 p.m.: Chad Porter Trio

6:45-7 p.m.: Karaoke finalist Trish Green

7-8 p.m.: Firewater Creek

8-8:20 p.m.: Karaoke finalist Erin Menzer

8:20-9:30 p.m.: Terry & The Telstars

9:30-10:15 p.m.: Fireworks display

Auburn Festival Plaza

6:30-8:30 p.m.: Auburn Community Band

Androscoggin Colisee Showcase Stage at Great Falls Plaza, Auburn

4:30-5:15 p.m.: Spice Weasel

5:30-6:15 p.m.: Random Order

6:30-7:15 p.m.: Kaining Amy

7:30-8:15 p.m.: Luke Mulholland Band

8:15-8:30 p.m.: Zumba Demonstration

8:30-9:30 p.m.: Brookside Independence Allstars

9:30-10:15 p.m.: Fireworks display

Apres fireworks 10:15-11:00 p.m.: Matt & the Barnburners

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