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Friday, August 14, 2026 Volume 21 • Issue No. 33
Civil War Encampment Returns to Fort McClary KITTERY POINT History will come alive at Fort McClary this weekend as the annual Civil War Encampment returns to the historic Kittery Point fort. The encampment will take place Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fort McClary on Route 103. Visitors can explore authentic military camps, meet living historians, and watch demonstrations depicting aspects of life during the Civil War. The event also will feature historic artillery demonstrations, along with stories about the experiences of soldiers and civilians during the war.
Fort McClary has a long military history. Coastal defenses were established at the site in the late 1600s to protect the mouth of the Piscataqua River
and the approaches to Portsmouth Harbor. The site became a U.S. fort in 1808 and was expanded in the 1840s, including construction of its distinctive
granite blockhouse in 1844. Fort McClary was actively manned by Maine troops during the Civil War, although it saw little action. The garrison included members of the Kittery Artillery Company and the Maine State Guard. Among those who served there was Maine native and Vice President Hannibal Hamlin. During the summer of 1864, Hamlin, who was born in Paris, ME, voluntarily served as a private and company cook at Fort McClary, despite holding the nation’s second-highest office. A major expansion of the fort began in 1863 but was never completed—only the seawalls and one landward cannon bas-
tion were finished. Advances in artillery soon made masonry forts like Fort McClary more vulnerable to newer, more powerful weapons. Federal funding for such projects was withdrawn in 1867, leaving Fort McClary with few cannon positions. Granite blocks from the unfinished expansion remain visible at the fort today. Fort McClary was eventually decommissioned in 1918. Maine acquired most of the property in 1924, and it was subsequently operated as a park. The fort was added to the National Register of Historic See FORT on page 6...
York FD Hosts 110th Annual Field Day, Parade & Muster YORK The York Fire Department will host its 110th annual Parade and Muster on Saturday, Aug. 15, continuing a beloved local tradition that celebrates the community’s connection to the fire service. The family-friendly event will feature a parade, traditional firefighter muster, children’s games, food, and trophies awarded to winning muster teams. This year’s Miss Flame, Kaitlyn Hatfield-Landry, granddaughter of longtime York Beach firefighter Mark Gay, will also be featured during the festivities. The parade lineup begins at 11 a.m. on Woodbridge Road at
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York Street. The parade officially steps off at noon from the intersection and will proceed through York Harbor, concluding at the York Public Library in York Village. The muster will once again be held in Moulton Park, located at the intersection of York Street and Clark’s Lane, following the parade. The event is family-friendly and will include children’s games, fire truck displays, and a Firefighters’ Muster Competition with trophies and cash prizes. Traditional muster
LanternFest Keeps Community Spirit Shining SOUTH BERWICK The 15th annual LanternFest will return to South Berwick Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Spring Hill, 117 Pond Road. Billed as “a magical night of music and festivities,” the event includes a parade of light through the field and the launching of water lanterns that float across Knights Pond. The evening ends with a dance party featuring light-up wands provided for free by the event organizers. The event is hosted by community nonprofit SoBo Central as a celebration of summer and another year of community. The
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events—such as wet hose, dry hose, and ladder challenges—will be featured, all aimed at promoting fire safety education. The event aims to celebrate community spirit and fire service tradition, honoring the department’s history and encouraging participation to keep the tradition alive. Community members, friends, and fellow fire service professionals are all invited to join. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/yorkmainefiredepartment.
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rain date is Aug. 20. Visitors are encouraged to bring picnics and blankets or purchase dinner from VFW Post 5744 and Spring Hill. Local band Trouble with 88 provides
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live enter tainment, playing classic rock with a shot of soul. Treats will also be available for purchase from nonprofit organizations, with activities offered for children.
“We encourage everyone to bring parade lanterns you’ve made at home, or you can make one that night for a suggested donation,” said organizer Hanna Bulger. “Homemade lanterns can be as simple as a t-light in a paper bag or as complex as an art project.” The event is free, though a $5 donation is suggested, or $20 per family. Donations may be made at the entrance gate or when registering for free tickets. Attendance is limited to 2,500 visitors, so guests are encouraged to register in advance at the registration page and show See LANTERN on page 9...
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