The National Weather Service is calling for rain and clouds in the days leading up to July 4, Independence Day, but there is a chance that Thursday night's clouds will be such that fireworks can be seen in front of them, or through them, or somehow despite them. And there is always the chance that the weather will actually change course come Thursday. This is Maine, afterall; anything is possible.

In any case, there's plenty of festivities planned for later this week, when many Mainers will take some time off and others will welcome those celebrating the holiday.

At 11 a.m., set your sights on the wildly popular, tremendously huge (can we even say that?) "Thomaston Traditional Small Town Fourth of July Parade" through downtown Thomaston. There is no telling what the 2013 Fourth of July parade in Thomaston will include, but suffice it to say you will get your complete fill of Independence Day pride and parading along the sidewalks and avenues of this quintessential seaport.

And, Thomaston's Independence Day is just not complete without fireworks. The town's annual light-up-the-sky extravanganza begins at 9:15 p.m. You can't miss it; right downtown.

A little further north, in Searsport, Independence Day festivities get started early. At 6 a.m. the Lions Club is hosting an All-You-Can-Eat full breakfast until 10 a.m., with proceeds benefitting Batteries for Life. At 8 a.m. row boat races take place at Hamilton Town Dock, with all sorts of sales and kids' activities going on around town. An auction will be held at Searsport United Methodist Church at 9 a.m. and their parade starts at 11 a.m, leaving from Norris Street and proceeding to the Dan Rich Public Safety Building. A family fun event with children's games, craft vendors, races and food kicks off at the same time as the parade at 6 Mortland Road, next to the Searsport Fire Station parking lot, with all proceeds benefitting Searsport schools. When they finish the breakfast, the Lions Club will head over to the Methodist Church and fire up the grills for their traditional chicken barbecue, beginning at 10:45 a.m. At 1:30 p.m., the Belfast Maskers/Cold Comfort Theater will hold their annual tribute to veterans and the military, along with America's birthday. The perfromance takes place on the Penobscot Marine Museums grounds on the stage behind the church.

Fireworks in Searsport are at 9 p.m. in Mosman Park (rain date Saturday, July 6).

In Northport, there will be a family barbecue at Point Lookout from 4 to 7 p.m. In Swan Lake, the boat parade is from noon to 2 p.m. with fireworks at 9 p.m. In Belfast, at 3:30 p.m., a USO style show will be staged at Main and High streets.

Clouds or not, midday July 4 will usher in Camden Rotary Club's annual Music by the Sea concert, presenting three ensembles performing "American music" in Harbor Park overlooking Curtis Island, Penobscot Bay, Camden Harbor and the islands beyond. The celebration is from noon to 5 p.m. and features Maine's own MOJO, New Relm and the Bath Municipal Band. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be available. The concert is free; take blankets or chairs and your best toe shoes for tapping.

Following the concert at the park, Bay Chamber Concerts presents The Engagements from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Dance the night away to classic funk and soul covers, 80s favorites and everything in between, also free in Harbor Park until Camden's fireworks display over the harbor, beginning at 9 p.m.

If fireworks aren't your cup of tea, or if you haven't had enough Independence Day celebrating, the Great Schooner Race will take place Friday, July 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Penobscot Bay between Rockland and Camden. A great place to watch the race is along the Rockland Breakwater off Samoset Road. More than two dozen tall ships are slated to gather for an all-day race, with on-board guests participating. This year marks the 37th anniversary of North America's largest annual gathering of tall ships.

For more information about Independence Day events in the Midcoast, visit penbaychamber.com, camdenrotary.org, greatschoonerrace.com, belfastcreatuvecoalition.org or baychamberconcerts.org.

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Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.