Fourth of July celebrations

Friday, July 3

Rochester
- Night Before the Fourth: July 3, gates open 3 p.m., Rochester Fairgrounds, free, suggested donation of canned goods/nonperishable foodstuffs (great word), music 4 p.m., food vendors, 9:30 p.m. fireworks.

York, Maine
- 9:05 p.m.: Fireworks sponsored by the York Harbor Reading Room in York Harbor. Best place for the public to watch the show is Harbor Beach, York Harbor, Maine.

Saturday, July 4

Portsmouth
- An American Celebration: at Strawbery Banke, noon-5 p.m., children’s parade, games, music, food, fun. www.strawberybanke.org.

Brentwood
-A parade with floats: tractors, decorated bikes, antique cars, trucks, youth groups, adult groups, horses, farm animals, and pets will step-off at 10 a.m. sharp at the Swasey School. In the evening enjoy hay rides, food and music starting at 6 p.m. at Rockingham County Nursing Home, 117 North Road. Because of the loss of parking (field is under water) the fireworks scheduled for July 4 at the Rockingham County Nursing Home have been postponed until Friday, July 17 with a rain date of Saturday, July 18.

Dover
- Annual re-enactment: and reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place on the steps of Dover City Hall on Saturday, July 4, 9 a.m. Join John Adams, Thomas Jefferson & Ben Franklin as they take you back in history to the birth of our great nation, the United States of America.

-About 9 p.m.: Dover’s fireworks will be launched from Maglaras Park (there will be no access to Maglaras Park). There will be many events throughout the afternoon and evening in Henry Law Park - make a day of it. (Rain date: Monday, July 5)

Greenland
- 35th annual event: Happy Fillmore’s “famous” Fireworks Extravaganza, Saturday, July 4, 9 p.m., Bramber Valley Golf Course, 75 Bramber Valley Drive, Greenland, casual outdoor grill all evening with burgers, dogs, potato salad and baked beans, free admission for all; outdoor seating (lawn chairs welcome), plenty of parking for information: www.brambervalleygolf.com.

Hampton
- 9:15 p.m.: Holiday fireworks display, Hampton Beach.

Rye
- Fireworks: at dusk at Parson’s Field.

Kennebunk, Maine
- Fourth of July fireworks: are planned for July 4 over Kennebunk Beach. The fireworks will be set off just after dark. In case of rain, they will be set off at the same time on July 5.

Sunday, July 5

Exeter
- Aliento Chamber Players: presents the Piscataqua River Brass at 3 p.m., at Christ Episcopal Church on 43 Pine St., Exeter. The programming on Independence Day weekend includes many patriotic and stirring tunes that will thrill the audience right in Exeter, the Revolutionary War capital of New Hampshire. Suggested donations for this performance are $15 for adult, $12 for senior and $3 for student. Christ Church is handicapped accessible and ample parking is available. Call 944-7070 or visit alientochamber.org.

Portsmouth
- Annual fireworks display: rescheduled to Sunday, July 5, at the South Mill Pond, located across from Portsmouth City Hall. There will be a DJ beginning at 7:30 p.m. and the fireworks display starts at 9:15 p.m. City ordinance prohibits personal fireworks, including Class C sparklers. Because of the fireworks display, the Dog Park will be closed from 6 a.m. Friday until 10 a.m. Saturday. The tennis and basketball courts, playground and baseball areas will close by noon Friday. Vehicles will be towed from the playground lot on Junkins Avenue at 10 a.m. Friday and from Parrott Avenue between Richards Avenue and Junkins at noon. The HighHanover Parking Garage will charge a flat $3 fee from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, July 3. There will be no parking on 23 streets near the South Playground (except for residents of those streets): Parrott Avenue, Junkins Avenue, Mt. Vernon Street, Pleasant Street, South Street from Miller to Marcy, Richmond Street, Rogers Street, Edward Street, Livermore Street, Wentworth Street, Melcher Street, Whidden Street, Franklin Street, Pickering Street, Hunking Street, Gardner Street, Gates Street, Howard Street, Elwyn Avenue, Sherburne Avenue, Rockland Street, Kent Street, and Richards Avenue.

York Beach
- 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks at Ellis Park at Short Sands Beach, York Beach, Maine. Rain date is Monday, July 6 at 9:30 p.m.