thomaston4th of july

An Old FashionedIndependence Day Celebration!

Presented by the Thomaston 4th of July Committee, under the direction of the Town of Thomaston

Sponsors

2026 Independence Day Patriotic Partners

2026 Updates

2026Schedule of Events

Same-day Race Registration & Packet Pick Up

  • July 4th
  • 7:00AM – 7:50AM
  •  Beechwood Street

Craft Fair Set Up

  • July 4th
  • 7:00AM – 9:00AM
  •  Behind the block on Valley Street

Kids’ 1mi Fun Run (ages 5–11)

  • July 4th
  • 8:00AM
  •  Beechwood Street

Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. in front of the old grange hall.

Register For Race

Firecracker 5k Road Race (ages 12+)

  • July 4th
  • 8:30AM
  •  Beechwood Street

Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. in front of the old grange hall.

Register For Race

Craft Fair

  • July 4th
  • 9:00AM – 1:00PM
  •  In the craft tent behind the block on Valley Street

Main Street Road Closure

  • July 4th
  • 10:45AM
  •  Main Street

Independence Day Parade

  • July 4th
  • 11:00AM
  •  Main Street

Roads will be closed by 10:45AM

Opening Ceremony

  • July 4th
  • 12:30PM

VFW Color Guard, National Anthem, Honoree Announcement, Parade & Race Awards

Committee Food Booth

  • July 4th
  • 12:30PM (after parade)

Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Sausages, Fries, Chicken Wings

Bounce House ($5 Day Bracelets)

  • July 4th
  • 12:30PM-6:00PM
  • Behind the block on Valley Street

Kids’ Karaoke)

  • July 4th
  • 1:00PM-2:30PM

Activity Tent

  • July 4th
  • 2:00PM

Live Music

  • July 4th
  • 2:30PM-6:00PM
  • Country Girl Summer
  • July 4th
  • 7:00PM-11:00PM
  • Hello Newman (break for fireworks)

Hotdog Eating Contest (Cash Prizes)

  • July 4th
  • 6:00PM

Fireworks

  • July 4th
  • Dark (est. 9:15PM)
  •  Behind the block on Valley Street

2026 Parade Grand Marshal

Roberta Carmichael

A few people quietly make a community stronger every single day, and this year’s Thomaston Independence Day Celebration is proud to recognize one of those individuals.

Our 2026 Independence Day Marshal, Roberta Carmichael, has devoted more than 13 years to serving neighbors through her dedicated work with the local food pantry. Through thoughtful planning, careful stewardship, and an unwavering commitment to helping others, she has helped ensure that families throughout our community have access to essential items when they need them most.

Roberta’s generosity reaches far beyond what many people ever see. She has a remarkable ability to make every donation go further and is always seeking opportunities to provide even more for those facing difficult times. Though she rarely seeks recognition, she has never hesitated to advocate for the pantry and help connect community members with the support available to them.

Her compassion, humility, and steadfast commitment embody the spirit of service that makes Thomaston such a special place to call home. For more than a decade, she has worked quietly and selflessly to strengthen our community, asking for little in return.

It is our privilege to honor Roberta Carmichael as the 2026 Thomaston Independence Day Marshal and to thank her for the lasting impact she has made through over 13 years of kindness, dedication, and care for others.

Mr. Thomaston 2026

Jackson Russomano is a recent honors graduate of Oceanside High School, where he graduated cum laude. He also completed the Outdoor Leadership Program at Mid-Coast School of Technology and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society.

Jackson has dedicated many hours to serving his community, including helping build the staging area for the Thomaston Fourth of July celebration grounds. He has been actively involved with Trekkers as both a member of Team Crux and a volunteer leader for Team Meridian. He also co-hosts a radio show on WRFR 93.3 FM every Saturday at noon.

In his free time, Jackson enjoys spending time with friends and being outdoors, hiking, camping, and snowboarding. He is currently employed at Trackside Station and will attend University of Maine this fall, where he plans to study Environmental Sciences.

Ms. Thomaston 2026

Autumn is a compassionate, creative, and adventurous 17-year-old whose passions span the arts, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. An accomplished competitive swimmer, dedicated theater performer, and talented studio artist, she has distinguished herself through her commitment to both personal excellence and meaningful involvement in the world around her.

A lover of nature, hiking, writing, and the beach, Autumn draws inspiration from the outdoors and channels that inspiration into her artistic and academic pursuits. Known for her kindness, sense of humor, and thoughtful approach to life, she is also an active advocate for causes she believes in, using her voice to support positive change.

This fall, Autumn will attend Bennington College to study Environmental Science and Studio Art, combining her dedication to environmental sustainability with her passion for creative expression. She looks forward to continuing her exploration of the natural world through both scientific inquiry and artistic practice while making a meaningful impact in her community and beyond.

Resources for vendors

Resources for crafters

Resources for volunteers

This celebration doesn’t happen without you. Every part of the Thomaston 4th of July, from planning to parade day, depends on neighbors stepping up and getting involved. Whether you have a few hours or want to take on a bigger role, your time and energy make a real difference.

If you have questions or suggestions, reach out anytime at info@thomaston4thofjuly.org

Use the (new) Online Volunteer Sign Up or fill out the Volunteer Application.

Volunteer Welcome & Training Session – June 11th at 5:30PM at the Thomaston Municipal Building (13 Valley Street)

 

Current volunteers

  • Kathleen Derene
  • Jennifer Eustis
  • Cameron Henry
  • Jo Ann Hoppe
  • Tim Hoppe
  • Betty Kijewski
  • Phil Russomano
  • Heather Sprague
  • Brooks Stevens
  • Peter Lammert
  • Tom Eager
  • Bob Rasmussen
  • Marlayna Rutter
  • Jesse Rutter
  • Jeff Sukeforth
  • Kim Matthews
  • Kendray Rodriguez
  • Justice Barrows

Parade Resources

Register for the Parade or use the printable PDF below.

Line-up: 8:00AM to 10:30AM on Dwight Street – off Main Street

Parade Start: 11:00AM

Parade Route: Erin Street to Main Street to Booker Street

Parade Contest: $100 prizes

  • Closest to Theme
  • Most Patriotic
  • Most Creative
  • Favorite Car
  • Judges Pick

Prize winners: to be announced at the opening ceremony behind the business block after the parade. Prizes can be claimed from the Committee Booth after the ceremony or they will be mailed.

Donations: there is no fee for participating in the parade although donations are appreciated and will be used to continue the Thomaston 4th of July Celebration next year.

We do remind everyone that the staging area is in and around the town cemetery. Please respect the space by staying on the lanes and roads as directed. I look forward to seeing you on the 4th.

Firecracker 5K and Kids Fun Run

Last year, you helped make the 2025 Thomaston Firecracker 5K and Kids Fun Run a fantastic start to Independence Day. We hope you'll join us again as we celebrate an even bigger year in 2026.

The Thomaston Firecracker 5K and Kids Fun Run returns on Saturday, July 4, 2026, and online registration is now open:

We strongly encourage participants to register online in advance. Not only does preregistration save you money, but it also makes race morning faster and easier so you can focus on enjoying the event.

Race Schedule

  • 1 Starr Street, Thomaston, Maine
  • Kids Fun Run: 8:00 a.m.
  • Firecracker 5K: 8:30 a.m.
  • Check-in begins at 7:00 a.m. in front of the old Grange Hall

Preregistration fees

  • 5K: $25
  • Kids Fun Run (11 & Under): $10

Race Day Registration fees (7:00–7:50 a.m.)

  • 5K: $30
  • Kids Fun Run: $15

Awards

Medals will be awarded to 1st and 2nd place male and female finishers in each age division. (Award Ceremony @ 12:45 on the main stage) Commemorative T-Shirts

The first 100 registrants will receive a Firecracker 5K commemorative T-shirt. Additional shirts will be available while supplies last. Whether you're returning to improve your time, running your first 5K, or cheering on a young runner in the Kids Fun Run, we'd love to have you with us.

Join us for a fun, family-friendly morning and help kick off Thomaston's 250th Independence Day Celebration in style. We hope to see you at the starting line!