Maine celebrates the Fourth

Posted July 04, 2012, at 1:37 p.m.

Ashaleigh Sulkowski, 5, of Eastport finished second in her age division Wednesday as kids of all ages competed in the annual blueberry pie eating contest held during her hometown's annual Independence Day celebration. Buy Photo

Tom Walsh | BDN

Eastport Airport Manager Steve Trieber dressed the part, as did Pitot, his Pomeranian pooch, while hosting the Independence Day pancake breakfast served Wednesday at the airport to more than 800 hungry patrons. Buy Photo

Tom Walsh | BDN

Sailors from the USS San Jacinto, a U.S. Navy warship that is docked this week in Eastport, enjoyed coming ashore Wednesday to mingle with the crowds enjoying he community's annual Independence Day celebration. Buy Photo

Kevin Bennett | BDN

Members of McCobb Co., a civil war re-enactment group, fire muskets along Wilson Stret in Brewer as part of the Bangor-Brewer Fourth of July parade on Wednesday. Buy Photo

Kevin Bennett | BDN

Junior Tracy, a World War II, veteran shakes hands with a young boy along the Fourth of July parade route in Bangor on Wednesday. Buy Photo

Heather Steeves | BDN

14-month-old Brianna Knutson, of Warren, bites on a flag and watches as firemen, horses and pageant queens march by her at the Thomaston Fourth of July parade on Wednesday.

Rock Coast Rollers roller derby player Shevawn &quotMistress of the Knife" Innes skated in Thomaston's Fourth of July parade Wednesday.

Heather Steeves | BDN

Rock Coast Rollers roller derby player Shevawn "Mistress of the Knife" Innes skated in Thomaston's Fourth of July parade Wednesday.

Heather Steeves | BDN

Spitting skies didn't stop Thomaston's Fourth of July parade Wednesday. The parade shut route 1 down for a long procession with local military, fire stations, pageant winners and more.