BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- Everyone around town is making last minute preparations for the Independence Day festivities.
Local businesses and city officials are expecting big crowds tomorrow as Bangor hosts the annual parade and fireworks show on the waterfront.
"We have a lot to do today. We have a tent to set-up for the beer garden, we have a lot of seats to set-up for the venue," says Michael Fern of the Fourth of July Corporation. "We are getting it done. There's a lot of prep work for tomorrow's event."
But aside from the weather possibly raining on the day's parade, this year, residents can legally set off their own fireworks. Since the state overturned the law allowing the sale of fireworks, shops have been popping up and fireworks are flying off the shelves.
"They have that new thing where we can actually have fireworks, so that's what we are going to be doing," says Jennifer Jordan of Bangor.
The city's event is planned and funded by the Bangor Kiwanis Club. This year they have raised over thir$36 thousand dollars. Spectators can expect to see a record breaking amount of fireworks.
"There's no way five thousand shells can fit into a backyard," says Fern.
Waterfront Restaurant, Schooners, is also optimistic that residents will still flock to the waterfront.
"The view you're going to have from here doesn't compare to anything you can have from home. So I think everyone will be enjoying their own and then coming out," says Schooners' General Manager, Randy Lester.
The all-day celebration kicks off at 11:00am with the Bangor Brewer Parade.
NEWS CENTER