U-TURN: Peninsula celebrates nation’s 250th

July 7, 2026

By Staff

Hundreds gathered at Castine’s town dock for the evening of the Fourth of July for food, live music, and a fireworks display launched from a barge in the harbor (above).

Across the Peninsula, towns held various events to mark the occasion, including a tea party in Bucksport, a cookout in Brooksville, road races in Castine and Stonington, and concerts in several towns.

Earlier in the day, Brooklin held its annual Fourth of July parade, and event that drew hundreds along the parade route and hundreds more in the center of town. The Rising Tide turned a lobster boat, donated by Matt Cousins and driven by board member Curtis Jaffray, into a float, complete with a t-shirt launcher to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The Rising Tide float at the Brooklin parade.

Lucia Case of Penobscot holds up her sign on board the float.

The crew of the Rising Tide float.

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