07/02/2026
Independence Day Celebration preparations are in full swing!
We’re almost there!
Here's what to expect for Road Closures, Detours and Parking Restrictions, and of course, the required legalese...
Road Closures and Detours:
Pursuant to 29-A MRSA 2078: For public safety or convenience, during a fire, accident, emergency or special event, a law enforcement officer may temporarily close a way to vehicular traffic or to vehicles of a certain description, or divert pedestrian or vehicular traffic. [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
An operator or pedestrian commits a Class E crime if that operator or pedestrian refuses to follow the directions for the movement of vehicles or pedestrians on request or signal of a law enforcement officer or if the operator or pedestrian knowingly refuses to follow the direction of a sign clearly posted by a law enforcement officer to temporarily close a way to vehicular traffic or to vehicles of a certain description or to divert pedestrian or vehicular traffic during a fire, accident, emergency or special event. For the purposes of this section, a posted sign must include language sufficiently describing the restriction or prohibition and must include the fact that a violation is a Class E crime.
Beechwood Street (2 closures)
Beechwood Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Valley Street to Erin Street starting at 7:45 AM and remain closed until both Firecracker 5K races are complete.
Beechwood Street from Valley Street to Dunbar Street will be closed from 8:15 AM until the adult Firecracker 5K is complete. There will be a rolling re-opening of the road as the last of the participants progress to the end of the course.
Note: Traffic coming from the Warren side of Beechwood Street will be turned around at Dunbar Road. There will be no access to any point on Beechwood Street beyond Dunbar Road for the duration of the races. Parade participants should access the staging area by using Main Street (Rt. 1) to Dwight Street.
U.S. Route 1 (Main Street) Northbound
Route 1 will be closed Northbound from Wadsworth Street to Fish Street at 10:40 AM. Northbound Route 1 Traffic will Detour by turning Right on Wadsworth Street, proceeding to Water Street and turning Left on Water Street. Follow Water Street to Thatcher Street and turn Right. Continue on Thatcher Street. Thatcher Street becomes Fish Street. Continue along Fish Street to Route 1 (Main Street) and turn Right.
Note: Trucks are encouraged to seek an alternate route during the detour as the detour route roads are posted for weight limits.
U.S. Route 1 (Main Street) Southbound
Route 1 Southbound will be closed from Fish Street to Wadsworth Street at 10:40 AM. Southbound Route 1 traffic will Detour by turning Left on to Fish Street. Fish Street turns into Thatcher Street. Follow Thatcher Street to the stop sign at Knox Street. At the stop sign, turn Left onto Knox Street. Knox Street turns into Water Street. Follow Water Street to the stop sign at Wadsworth Street. After stopping, turn Right on to Wadsworth Street and proceed to Main Street. Turn Left on Main Street.
Note: Trucks are encouraged to seek an alternate route during the detour as the detour route roads are posted for weight limits.
Erin Street (2 temporary closures)
Erin Street will be closed to through traffic from 8:15 AM until the adult Firecracker 5K is complete. There will be no access to Beechwood Street during this closure.
Erin Street will be closed to through traffic from 10:00 AM until the completion of the Parade. Parade participants enter the Parade staging area from Dwight Street. Fire apparatus participating in the parade should stage on Anna Belle Lane via Erin St. from Main Street.
Note to residents: If you live along one of the closed roads, we ask that you refrain from driving on the closed roadway for the duration of the closure. Please plan ahead. Be prepared to leave early or wait for the road to re-open.
Restricted Parking/No Parking Areas
There is No Parking permitted on:
Main Street
Beechwood Street from Erin to Valley Street
Fish Street
Thatcher Street
Knox Street from Thatcher Street to Water Street
Water Street
Wadsworth Street from Water to Main Street.
Dwight Street
Erin Street
Watts Lane
Valley Street between the Alley and the entrance to Oceanside Middle School.
There is Restricted Parking on:
Gleason Street (one side only, see posted signage)
Hyler Street (one side only, see posted signage)
The parking areas at the Town Office and Police Department (as posted)
Please note that there is NO access to Route 1 (Main St.) for the duration of the parade from any adjacent side streets. Please do not move barricades.
Also, be advised that this year all traffic exiting the fireworks via Booker Street will only be able to turn Right (Southbound on Rt. 1) to facilitate smoother traffic flow. This is new this year, so we’ll see how it works out.
We thank you all in advance for your help in keeping our celebration running smoothly and safely for all!
Thomaston Maine Independence Day Celebration Knox Regional Communication CenterKnox County EMA Thomaston Recreation DepartmentThomaston Fire & EMSTown of Thomaston, Maine
