The Cutler 4th of July schedule for 2019 has been published. Another year of fantastic Downeast Maine celebrations are in order. Here are details of the 2019 Cutler 4th schedule.

Cutler 4th of July Schedule 2019

Thursday, July 4th

8:00 a.m. – The Cutler Harbor 5K Road Race. While only 5K, this running race will get your heart racing and your thighs burning as it includes three formidable hills, including a hill in the last mile called ‘the mountain.’ Once cresting this final hill however you are rewarded with a view of Cutler Harbor, cool ocean breezes and cheering bystanders as you make your way towards the finish line.  Walkers and runners are welcome to enter the Cutler 4th of July road race. Registration is at the Bay Ridge Elementary School from 7am onward on the 4th. You can also pre-register by calling Andy Patterson at 259-4484. It’s worth pre-registering as the pre-registration cost is $15 versus $20 on race day.

10:00 a.m. – Grand Parade.  The parade is a modest affair, featuring the town’s firetruck, a variety of themed floats and patriotically-decorated bikes, trikes and ATVs. The parade starts by Wharf Road and finishes at the town circle, which is the real ‘center’ of the town.  

Flag Raising Ceremony, Cutler Town Circle. Following the parade is the flag raising. There is usually a band perched on the town circle and some patriotic music to accompany the raising of the flag.

10:45 a.m.  – 12:00 noon – Traditional Children’s Games, Cates’ Lawn, Downtown Cutler. The traditional games will kick off with classic Cutler 4th of July competitions: the saltine cracker eating contest (the first one to eat a giant stack of dry saltine crackers…then whistle, wins), the Coke drinking contest (the first one to guzzle a full bottle of Coke wins) and the bubble gum contest (the first one to blow a bubble from a traditional piece of jaw-busting double bubble gum wins).  

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – The Cutler Lobster Crate Races, The Wharves Downtown. Perhaps the most unique event of the Cutler 4th of July schedule of celebrations is the lobster crate race, where a bunch of barely buoyant, wooden lobster crates are precariously strung together and tethered between two wharves. Spectators are then challenged to run across the crates without falling into the icy water. Sign up for the crate races is from 1-2pm on the Cates’ Wharf. Footwear is required, as is parental signature for those under 18. Participants over 18 must be able to swim back or be towed back to the float.

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. – More Traditional Children’s Games, Cates’ Lawn, Downtown Cutler. The children’s games continue in the afternoon, with running races, three-legged races, sack races, wheel-barrow races and more.

3:00 p.m. – The Cutler Lobster Boat Races, Cutler Harbor. These races are not part of the wider Maine lobster boat racing circuit. Rather they are a chance for local fishermen to engage in some friendly competition. Town folk and visitors view the action from the wharves and shoreline downtown. Fishermen often decorate their boats in festive flags and buntings for the races.

Saturday, July 6th

2:00 p.m. – Baseball Game, Town Field There will be a concession stand selling snacks and hot dogs.