This year marks 111 years of Maine’s famous adventure outfitters offering L.L. Bean July 4th and Summer events. Join the fun at their annual Summer in the Park events, when L.L.Bean invites families to help commemorate its long run as an American institution. The flagship L.L. Bean store is located at 95 Main Street Freeport, Maine 04032 (877/755-2326).
The Top L.L. Bean Summer Event is a July 4 Party
The L.L. Bean Summer July 4th Celebration is one day packed with fun. Run off those early summer calories with their 10K Road Race or 1 Mile Run/Walk through town. As of 2023, Mainers and visitiors have been running for the past 40 years. All proceeds from the event’s admission fee support the YMCA of Southern Maine, Casco Bay Branch.
Clean up quickly for the 10am Main Street Parade, another tradition through the town of Freeport. Tuesday evening, enjoy the free outdoor concert in Discovery Park, featuring indie-folk trio Wilderado Expect more surprises to lure you away from your regularly scheduled backyard BBQs.
Extend your stay beyond Independence Day to experience the full line-up of summer events. Most activities are out of doors, so do check on last-minute weather or event cancellations by calling 877/755-2326.
The Almost Complete L.L. Bean Summer Festivities
The Thursday night “Made in Maine Music Series” features local artists. Kick off the fun with the Arcadia Band’s folk repertoire on July 6. Look for free weekly concerts through Aug. 31 online.
Every week, July 4 to Sept. 3, 2023, there are daily activities in the park as part of the “Summer in the Park” program. Check out the “Summer in the Park” Schedule of free family fun here.
Introduce the kids to yoga and check out Fat Tire Bikes. Learn to paint on a grocery tote, your beach bag or even a boat hull. Get tips on fly casting so you can catch and release or dine on the day’s bounty.
Some Special L.L. Bean Summer Events & Concerts in Maine
Families who spend a week in Freeport and the surrounding region will never want for fun. Weekends are especially busy. Saturdays, it’s Family Movie Nights under the stars. Go early to set up your lawn chairs and dine from the food truck that show up each week. Alternatively, plan ahead and get tickets for some of the events noted below.
Concert: Lucius on July 8
Holly Laessig and Jess Wolfe are, together, the band Lucius. Catch them performing funk and disco hits from their third album, Second Nature (2022).
Summer Sporting Expo on July 15-16
All day displays of the best sports gear, exciting raffles, expert advice from L.L.Bean and other top brands.
Plus, don’t miss an exclusive screening of the 2023 Paddling Film Festival, each day at 6 p.m.
Make Yourself At Home Event on July 22
Enjoy an air-conditioning break! Check out decorating ideas at the L.L. Bean Home Store. They feature summer entertaining demonstrations, food samples, and raffles from L.L.Bean and talented Maine makers.
Concert: Thee Sacred Souls on July 29
Thee Sacred Souls, the breakout San Diego trio, is releasing their self-titled debut – a warm and textured record, mixing the easygoing grace of sweet ‘60s soul, with the grit and groove of early ‘70s R&B.
Concert: Melissa Etheridge on Aug. 5
Since 1988, Melissa Etheridge has ruled the American rock scene with her trademark confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals. She has earned multiple Grammy Awards and even a victory in the “Best Song” category at the 2007 Academy Awards.
Concert: March Cohn & Shawn Colvin on Aug. 12
Marc Cohn, a Grammy Award winner for his soulful ballad “Walking in Memphis,” and Shawn Colvin, winner of the Grammy Award’s Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Sunny Came Home,” welcome fans to a night of songs and stories.
Dog Days of August Featuring Dockdogs on Aug. 19-20
Join L.L.Bean in supporting shelter pets and programs over this two-day program. Watch high-flying DockDogs compete in long jump, high jump, and timed retrieval events. Plus, plenty of surprises.
MacKenzie Porter on Aug. 26
Canada-born and Nashville-based MacKenzie Porter brings a distinct country-pop sound reminiscent of iconic predecessor Shania Twain to her show.
Scotty McCreery on Sept. 2
Scotty McCreery, one of country music’s brightest stars, will play hits from his current album, Same Truck: The Deluxe Album, featuring “Damn Strait” and “It Matters to Her.”
Getting to Freeport Maine for an L.L. Bean Summer Event
If you’re already located in New England, a short and affordable ride on the Amtrak Downeaster may be right for you. The line will soon extend to Freeport and currently stops a short distance away in Portland. Children travel for $25 or less and seniors 62 and older receive half-off one-way coach fare. They are also partnered with L.L. Bean to offer a $150 gift card to a winning passenger who purchases two round-trip tickets and signs up for the Inside Track newsletter.
Should you decide to take a road trip to Freeport, Family Travel Forum writer Allison Tibaldi say that L.L. Bean’s Freeport flagship store is a summer-long destination.
Additionally, our train guru Ralph Spielman has identified the top rail fan trips for exploring the Eastern U.S. by train. On the Amtrak Downeaster, children ages 2-12 travel 50% off with one full fare paying adult every day of the week. Hurry up and travel!
Research Your Freeport, Maine Trip Before You Go
L.L. Bean is a very generous local benefactor. Visit their website to discover free and low-cost family activities in every wooded corner of the state of Maine. However, the four-legged family members you’ve brought with you may not be welcomed at every event. Check with them on specifics and find out more about pet-friendly Freeport, Maine at this blog.
If your family fully embraces the spirit of outdoorsmenship, plan to camp nearby. Please visit the Maine Tourism website for information on camp sites.
Or, to pamper the whole family, check out one of the luxury oceanfront Maine resorts. Our favorite vacation deals site for hotel bookings is Booking.com and they also feature smaller, cheaper places along the coast in their inventory.
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