Mexico and Rumford and each hosting July 4 celebrations with fireworks, food and fun.
Mexico will host its first Fourth of July festival at the Recreation Park off Roxbury Road, including a Cruise-In from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Glenn Gordon and Bob Arsenault are organizing the River Valley Recovers Strong 5K Trail Walk and Run starting at 9 a.m. Proceeds will be used to support individuals and organizations providing resources to promote recovery for people with substance use disorder and their families.
Registration forms can be dropped off or mailed to the Larry Labonte Recovery Center, 412 Waldo St., Rumford, ME 04276. There is also registration the day of the race starting at 8 a.m.
The first 100 people to register will receive a race T-shirt. There will be prizes based on age groups.
Children’s events include pony/horse rides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Magic Cowboy of the West, a children’s songs and show, from 11 a.m. to noon, The Entertainer, a clown on stilts making balloon animals from noon to 1:30 p.m., and magician Scot Grassette from 3 to 4 p.m.
Music by Roadhouse will be offered from 12:30 to 3 p.m., with food available from the Scouts, 4J’s BBQ, and Shut Up and Eat Food Truck.
In Rumford, the Fourth of July Committee and the Rumford Parks Commission are bringing back festivities that include food, music and children’s games, a dunk tank and vendors starting at 4 p.m. at Hosmer Field off Lincoln Avenue.
Activities include the popular bicycle parade, decorated wagon/carriage parade, music by Tom LeClair, C.A. Wortley and Roadhouse.
Interested vendors, particularly food vendors, can contact Dan Richard at 357-9444.
Central Maine Pyrotechnics of Farmingdale will provide the fireworks, which begin just after dusk.
The festival committee is looking for volunteers to help with activities, including games or cooking.
Donation buckets will be available to help ensure a July 4 festival next year.
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