Portland’s “The Stars and Stripes Spectacular” will be held at the Eastern Promenade Park Monday, July 4.

The event boasts amazing performances from the Portland Symphony Orchestra each year, this year the music will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the “Great Portland Fire” which occurred on July 4, 1866 - the greatest fire yet seen in an American city at that time.

Music director Robert Moody says this year’s program will include the “1984 Olympic Fanfare and Theme,” a compilation from the new Star Wars movie, “Jupiter” from the Planets and Williams’ “Midway March.”

The orchestra will pay special tribute to our military with an Armed Forces Salute. The program will also feature the traditional favorites such as the “Star Spangled Banner”, “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “God Bless America” and the “1812 Overture.”

The National Anthem will be sung by Hannah Harleen. Harleen is a vocalist, dancer, performer, and radio personality on WJBQ – Q97.9 in Portland. She has been singing since the age of 13, and over the years has performed the Star Spangled Banner for the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins, and at The Pentagon. Locally Harleen has sung for the Portland Pirates, Maine Red Claws, and the Portland Sea Dogs. Harleen says she is “honored to be performing the Star Spangled Banner for the Stars and Stripes Spectacular along with the Portland Symphony Orchestra.”

Serving the city of Portland, the state of Maine, and northern New England, the Portland Symphony Orchestra is the largest performing arts organization in Maine. With critically acclaimed performances and broad community engagement, the PSO is widely regarded as one of the top symphony orchestras of its size in the country.

Details about “The Stars and Stripes Spectacular”

The schedule of events on the Eastern Promenade includes vendors opening at 2 p.m. The “Stars & Stripes Spectacular” takes center stage at 7 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. It is requested that dogs, with the exception of service dogs, remain home. The concert will be broadcast live on WHOM 94.9PM and run throughout the fireworks display which will begin after 9 p.m.

If the event is postponed all activities will resume at their previously scheduled time on the following day Tuesday, July 5. For the most up to date information visit the July 4th Portland website or call the city’s hotline: 207-756-8130.

Schedule: Saturday, July 2, 10 p.m.: First parking lot (right side of street) on Cutter Street closed to public; Sunday, July 3, 10 p.m.: East End Boat launch, Cutter Street, and remaining parking lots closed to the public.

On Monday July 4: 7 a.m.: East End Parking restrictions go into effect and at 11 a.m., internal street closures (applicable to those bordering the Eastern Promenade).

At noon on the Fourth of July, at Maine Historical Society, at 489 Congress Street, there will be a public reading of the Declaration of Independence by former State Rep. Herb Adams, and viewing of the Dunlap Broadside copy of the Declaration (1 of 26 surviving copies); vendors open to the public along the Eastern Promenade 2 p.m.; Munjoy Hill closed to traffic at 4 p.m. and at 6 p.m. is closed to handicapped parking.  

Opening Ceremony begins at 7 p.m. The PSO's Patriotic Pops Concert begins at 7:40 p.m. Fireworks show begins at 9:20 p.m.

For a full list of events, activities, sponsors, and updates please visit www.july4thportland.org.