HOULTON – Fourth of July celebrations got under way Thursday in The County with the start of the Houlton Agricultural Fair and Isle Fest in Presque Isle. Events in Limestone start today.

Now in its 17th year, the Houlton Fair will run through Sunday, July 6, with rides, shows, games, contests, exhibits and demonstrations being held each day starting at 9 a.m. today and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Community Park and the John Millar Civic Center.

A parade along Main Street through Market Square will begin at 10 a.m. today. Fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m.

The Zoppe Family Circus will perform multiple shows each day in the circus tent at the park.

On Saturday, country music singer Jennifer Hanson will perform at 7 p.m., followed at 8:15 p.m. by country singer Andy Griggs. Both concerts will be outside.

Lawn mower races are set to begin at noon on Sunday, July 6th; there will be a barbecue contest starting at 1 p.m. and a demolition derby at 4 p.m.

The Isle Fest in Presque Isle, called Pioneer Days for the past six years, also began Thursday and will run through Sunday at various locations in the city.

There will be a parade starting at 11 a.m. that will travel along Main Street from the University of Maine at Presque Isle to the parking lot at Smythe’s IGA on North Street.

After the parade, a variety of activities will be held at Riverside Park, including children’s games, craft sales, boat rides, an antique car show and tethered hot-air balloon rides. There also will be live music throughout the day.

There will be a historical walking tour of the downtown beginning at 5 p.m. at the University of Maine at Presque Isle Campus Center.

A street dance will be held starting at 8 p.m. on Riverside Drive. The event will move to Wieden Hall on the UMPI campus, in the event of rain.

On Sunday, July 6, the band Country Legends – Now & Then will perform starting at 1 p.m. at the Aroostook Centre Mall.

There will be fireworks starting at dusk at the Family Christian Center on Route 1.

Today in Limestone, there will be a red, white and blue nine-hole golf tournament starting at 8 a.m. at the Limestone Country Club.

From 9 to 10 a.m. on Main Street, there will be a big wheel power pull and Humvee rides.

The town’s 64th annual Fourth of July parade will begin at 11 a.m. The Limestone Fire Department will hold its Duck 500 Race staring at noon on Bridge Street.

Other events will be held at the park at Trafton Lake. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. over the lake.

In case of rain, the fireworks will be held on Saturday, July 5.