It's Bill, 7/13/25: Lubec's 4th

The Spirit of the Fourth

The busiest week of the year is July 4th. It’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s all rolled together while celebrating the 4th of July. Family reunions from far and near, friends gathering, all together, to celebrate our Nation’s birthday with parades, barbecues, house parties, fireworks, exhibitions, and just plain fun.

A Ship to Remember

To me, the biggest 4th event is not on the 4th or in Lubec. Every 4th of July week, we are honored by having a US Navy vessel docking on July 3 for a short visit in Eastport at Eastport’s deep water downtown wharf. Over the previous years, it’s been a Guided Cruise Missile Destroyer, a 375’ ship loaded with all sorts of computer-guided offensive and defensive weapons to guard their aircraft carrier in their fleet.

With a crew of over 300, there are 30 women crew. The crew present proudly in their dress whites, ready to present and interpret their ship.

Visitors gather at the dock to begin a tour of the Navy ship, greeted by sailors in their crisp dress whites.

Touring the Navy Ship

We arrived in Eastport about 11 AM on July 3 when the first tours were being formed. Usually in groups of 25, we were fortunate to be in a group of 8 guided by 2 officers. Boarding midships, we went to the bow and stern, up and down including the bridge where the CO ‘drove’ the ship. After, we toured Eastport, Carlowe Island, and Pleasant Point.

Looking for a shoreline picnic spot, we inadvertently drove 6 miles on a narrow one-way — what we later discovered was a bicycle path on an old rail bed. Whoops.

The guided missile destroyer docked in Eastport — sleek, powerful, and ready to be explored by curious locals.

Lubec Celebrates

July 4th kicked off with an 11 AM chicken barbecue at the Masonic Hall put on by the Lubec Lions Club. We went to the gallery exhibition at Mulholland Gallery presented by Deb Olson and Heidi Hertzberger.

The traditional Lubec 4th of July parade started at 1 PM. We watched from Cohill’s deck at the corner of Water Street before going uphill. Fire engines, floats, Shriners in their mini stunt cars. Noisy ATVs. We stopped at a couple of local parties.

The shirttail parade, watched from Cohill’s deck, started at 6 PM — marchers and viewers all having fun laughing at themselves.

A long line forms under the summer sun for the popular Lubec Lions Club chicken barbecue at the Maso

Patriotic parade float rolls through downtown Lubec on the 4th of July, complete with waves and a li

Early morning setup at the park before the barbecue gets underway — the calm before the smoky, tasty

Fireworks Across Borders

Of course, The Event. We watched fireworks from the deck of the old radio tower at West Quoddy Station. Just perfect.

We had a panoramic view of 2 lighthouses in the channel while fireworks exploded gloriously to the East from Canada — Campobello, Deer Island — then the USA — Eastport, Lubec, Mowry Beach, and locals on the Bar Road. About a 10-mile panoramic celebration.

Winding Down

Saturday, the 5th, we visited The Lubec Woman’s Club end-of-tag sale. Picked up some good housewares, left a donation.

Sunday, we went on a 4.5-hour boat trip to North Lubec, then Moose Island, passing the Old Sow on our way out to East Quoddy Head Lighthouse. We photographed some seals, plenty of birds. Calm day, just wonderful.

Already making plans for next year. I love it!

Lupines in full bloom brighten the streets of Lubec, a vibrant touch to 4th of July week.

Seals sunbathe lazily on coastal rocks near Moose Island — a perfect day on the water.

A view of East Quoddy Head Lighthouse from a rustic waterfront shed — classic coastal Maine.