BY BETTY JESPERSEN

Staff Writer

Weather forecasters say there may be a break in the rain Saturday but it won't be enough to salvage the annual July 4 fireworks traditionally set off from the hayfields at the Wing family farm in Industry.

"It is just too wet. They haven't been able to get the hay off and they need two days back-to-back of sun," said Industry Fire Chief Joe Paradis, whose department organizes the event.

He said the fireworks, which attract thousands, have been postponed to July 25 to coincide with the annual Farmington Strawberry Festival.

Festivities around Franklin County include Farmington's Flagg Family Fishing Derby at Rollo Pond in Abbott Park, which starts at 8 a.m. for kids 3 to 10. Early arrival and registration are encouraged. The event, sponsored by the Farmington Recreation Department, has a $2 fee and awards trophies for first fish caught; first to catch the two-fish limit; for the trophy fish; and the largest combined gross weight.

The parade, sponsored by the Farmington Rotary Club, starts at 10 a.m. with the theme, "Summer in Maine." Line-up begins at 8 a.m. behind the Mallett School on Middle Street with judging at 9:15 a.m. Participants are asked to register prior to parking floats.

The Pierce House on Main Street will host a free post-parade concert by the Centennial Brass Band on the lawn with cookies and lemonade. Strawberry shortcake will be sold for $4 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with proceeds to benefit Old South First Congregational Church's community service, outreach and youth programs.

Next door, Henderson Memorial Baptist Church will have a hot dog give-away with donations accepted for the Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund. Last year, this event raised $1,350 and bought emergency fuel for 168 families, according to the Rev. Susan Crane.

In Carrabassett Valley, celebrations will be held Saturday in the Town Park starting at 12:30 p.m., with the Children's Parade lineup at 12:15 p.m. Afternoon events include karaoke music; a magic show; children's arts and crafts; sawdust pile scramble; and fire truck rides. There will be a concert and dance at 5:30 p.m. with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. by Central Maine Pyrotechnics.

Rangeley's Independence Day celebration will be today with events in Lakeside Park on Main Street.

The Children's Parade is at 10 a.m., followed by a rubber-duck race on Haley Pond Stream, a silent auction, entertainment and a chicken barbecue from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd. A fireworks display begins at dusk over Rangeley Lake.

On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Birds of a Feather Gallery will sponsor the Rangeley Lakes 4th of July Arts & Crafts Show on the Rangeley Inn green on Main Street and at 10 a.m., the annual Rangeley Lakes Logging Museum auction will be held at the museum on Route 16.

Betty Jespersen -- 778-6991

bjespersen@centralmaine.com