Every so many years, Maine’s weather reminds me that I could never cut it in Seattle. Here in Washington County we’re on a rainy streak which, if the forecast is to be believed, could stretch into mid-July.

In spite of the weather, stalwart Downeasters will be celebrating Independence Day this weekend with a wide array of fun, foggy festivities, including today’s Fastest Lobster Boat in the World races in Jonesport.

Monday’s forecast looks dodgy, but Tuesday, July 4th’s forecast looks just about workable, which is good news for me because I love a parade, as does this adorable child I spotted last year in Machias.

If you, too, love a parade, we’ve made this handy map (below) to show you where all the action is on the Fourth of July. It isn’t only parades —Cutler, Eastport, and Lubec have extensive activities planned, too, and if the weather permits, fireworks.

Washington County does Americana right. Where else, I ask you, will you find a bubble gum blowing and watermelon eating contest in one place?

By our calculations it’s possible to hit four parades on Tuesday, but not five. You’ll have to choose between Machias and Lubec for your 6 p.m. slot. Start your day in Lubec for the adorable 9 a.m. Kiddie Parade, then drive down to Cutler for their 10 a.m. grand parade, featuring the national anthem sung by Hailey Bryand, lead singer of The Filthy Casuals, who is excellent.

From Cutler, head up to Eastport for the county’s — nay, the state’s — flagship Fourth of July celebration, complete with the USS Oscar Austin, a Bath, Maine-built Arleigh-Burke-class destroyer, which will be open for tours July 1-4. In Eastport. The Grand Parade kicks off at 2 p.m.

Now it’s decision time — Lubec, or Machias? I’m closer to Machias, so I will be at the Machias parade which kicks off at 6 p.m., the same time as Lubec. If you can’t attend in person, or will be in Lubec but also yearn for Machias, we will live-stream the Machias parade on Facebook here, so be sure to follow and tune in from home.

In other news this week I’m kicking off a series of giveaways to subscribers of this newsletter. Each giveaway will feature a Washington County business, and I’m proud to choose Crows Nest Shops to feature first. If you win the $50 gift certificate, you can spend it on anything from beautiful flower arrangements to fragrant candles to delicious croissants, and while you’re there, you might get to meet Josh Spencer, and co-owners Ryan and Sandi Malagara, who are savvy entrepreneurs and epitomize the Way Downeast spirt of community service, too.

You don’t have to live locally to win, I’ll mail it to you.

All you have to do to enter is to subscribe to this newsletter on our website, at the bottom of this page. And if you’re already subscribed, you’re already entered! If you know someone who might enjoy the Washington County Almanac, please forward this email to them.

I’ll announce the winner in next week’s newsletter, and on our Facebook page.

Last but not least, if you’re in the area, make plans to attend the 3rd Annual Bad Little Falls ‘Sounds Like This” Summer Concert Series, which starts this week and continues every Thursday through August.

I know of nowhere like Bad Little Falls Park, where you can watch a band performing on a platform held by a large ledge next to two waterfalls. My family and I like to bring a picnic. Some people bring lawn chairs, and some people dance.

Don’t miss it.