AUGUSTA — Old Fort Western, a 1754 National Landmark fort, store and residence at 16 Cony St., will be open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Tours of the fort begin at 1 p.m. Augusta’s Fourth of July parade begins at 4 p.m. After a march along Western Avenue and through the downtown, the parade will conclude at the fort.

Following the parade, Augusta Mayor William Stokes will present a traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence followed by the replacing of the British colors with the “new” American flag. Then the cannon will be fired “with lots of rousing cheers and well wishes for this wonderful country,” a Fort Western release states. “This ceremony was first performed in 1776 and has been reenacted at Fort Western for over 50 years.”

Before and after the parade, children and adults can enjoy games and refreshments at the fort.

After the fort closes at 6 p.m., Emerald Sky and Sun Dog will play music in the Maine State Housing Authority parking lot on Water Street, which will also offer a bounce house and games for children.

A fireworks show from the East Side Boat Landing will commence at dusk.

Admission to the fort will be free; food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Donations to benefit Old Fort Western’s educational programming will be accepted.

For more information, call 626-2385 or email oldfort@oldfortwestern.org.