Augusta celebrates country’s 250th birthday with parade, festivities, more | Photos

[](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_01fourth_.jpg) The Augusta Police Department Honor Guard carries the colors while leading the parade during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta Saturday. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_01fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22The%20Augusta%20Police%20Department%20Honor%20Guard%20carries%20the%20colors%20while%20leading%20the%20parade%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%20Saturday.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_02fourth_.jpg) PParadegoers arrive in style during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta Saturday. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_02fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22PParadegoers%20arrive%20in%20style%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%20Saturday.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_03fourth_.jpg) The Augusta Police Department Honor Guard carries the colors while leading the parade during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta Saturday. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_03fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22The%20Augusta%20Police%20Department%20Honor%20Guard%20carries%20the%20colors%20while%20leading%20the%20parade%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%20Saturday.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_04fourth_.jpg) Paradegoers line the route during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta Saturday. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer)celebration in Augusta, Maine Saturday July 4, 2026. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_04fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22Paradegoers%20line%20the%20route%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%20Saturday.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29celebration%20in%20Augusta%2C%20Maine%20Saturday%20July%204%2C%202026.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_06fourth_.jpg) Parade participants carry USA balloons during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta, Maine Saturday July 4, 2026. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_06fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22Parade%20participants%20carry%20USA%20balloons%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%2C%20Maine%20Saturday%20July%204%2C%202026.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_07fourth_.jpg) The Kora Drifters of Lewiston glide along the parade route during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta Saturday. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_07fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22The%20Kora%20Drifters%20of%20Lewiston%20glide%20along%20the%20parade%20route%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%20Saturday.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_08fourth_.jpg) Parade participants travel through downtown Augusta during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta Saturday. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_08fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22Parade%20participants%20travel%20through%20downtown%20Augusta%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%20Saturday.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_09fourth_.jpg) From left, Tom Doore, Jackie Fournier and Jed Chapman prepare hot dogs while serving lunch at Old Fort Western during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta Saturday. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_09fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22From%20left%2C%20Tom%20Doore%2C%20Jackie%20Fournier%20and%20Jed%20Chapman%20prepare%20hot%20dogs%20while%20serving%20lunch%20at%20Old%20Fort%20Western%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%20Saturday.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_10fourth_.jpg) Historical interpreters fire muskets after the Declaration of Independence is read at Old Fort Western during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta Saturday. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer)Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_10fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22Historical%20interpreters%20fire%20muskets%20after%20the%20Declaration%20of%20Independence%20is%20read%20at%20Old%20Fort%20Western%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%20Saturday.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_13fourth_.jpg) Historical interpreter Carrie Anne Scheirer demonstrates a loom while making a blanket at Old Fort Western during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta Saturday. Scheirer is pictured inside the 1754 Garrison. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_13fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22Historical%20interpreter%20Carrie%20Anne%20Scheirer%20demonstrates%20a%20loom%20while%20making%20a%20blanket%20at%20Old%20Fort%20Western%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%20Saturday.%20Scheirer%20is%20pictured%20inside%20the%201754%20Garrison.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_14fourth_.jpg) Historical interpreters, right, and others listen as the Declaration of Independence is read at Old Fort Western during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta Saturday. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_14fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22Historical%20interpreters%2C%20right%2C%20and%20others%20listen%20as%20the%20Declaration%20of%20Independence%20is%20read%20at%20Old%20Fort%20Western%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%20Saturday.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_15fourth_.jpg) O’Hara Abbott, 5, of Augusta, samples taffy she picked up along the parade route during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta Saturday. Abbott joined her mother and sisters at Old Fort Western. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_15fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22O%5Cu2019Hara%20Abbott%2C%205%2C%20of%20Augusta%2C%20samples%20taffy%20she%20picked%20up%20along%20the%20parade%20route%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%20Saturday.%20Abbott%20joined%20her%20mother%20and%20sisters%20at%20Old%20Fort%20Western.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) [](https://w2pcms.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/43686246_20260703_16fourth_.jpg) Members of the Members of the Hallowell Commununity Band play while participating in parade during the annual Fourth of July celebration in Augusta Saturday. (Rich Abrahamson/Staff Photographer) [Purchase this image](https://dev.mainetodaymedia.com/smugmug/upload.php?data=%7B%22src%22%3A%22https%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.pressherald.com%5C%2Fwp-content%5C%2Fuploads%5C%2Fsites%5C%2F4%5C%2F2026%5C%2F07%5C%2F43686246_20260703_16fourth_.jpg%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22Members%20of%20the%20Members%20of%20the%20Hallowell%20Commununity%20Band%20play%20while%20participating%20in%20parade%20during%20the%20annual%20Fourth%20of%20July%20celebration%20in%20Augusta%20Saturday.%20%28Rich%20Abrahamson%5C%2FStaff%20Photographer%29%22%7D) Copy the Story Link Tagged: [kennebec journal](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/kennebec-journal/), [photography](https://www.pressherald.com/tag/photography/) [](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rich-abrahamson) [Rich AbrahamsonStaff Photographer](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rich-abrahamson) Rich is a career photojournalist and writer who got his start in newspapers in 1987 at the Fort Morgan Times in Colorado. His appreciation for photography and stories began as a kid while watching slide. [More by Rich Abrahamson](https://www.pressherald.com/author/rich-abrahamson)