LEWISTON — The Liberty Festival is bringing back fireworks this year, but without the usual festivities. Meanwhile, the Great Falls Brewfest has been canceled, though its organizers are planning a new event later this year.

2013 Liberty Festival on the Fourth of July. After a year off due to COVID-19, fireworks will again light up Lewiston-Auburn skies in July.  Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal file photo

The Liberty Festival, which celebrates Independence Day along the banks of the Androscoggin River, will take place at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 3, with a rain date of July 5.

Cathy McDonald, president of the Liberty Festival, compared this year’s celebration with that of previous years.

“Generally, we have a stage with full musical entertainment on the Lewiston and Auburn sides of the river, as well as food vendors and crafters,” McDonald said. “This year, because of COVID and social distancing and so forth, we’re doing fireworks only.”

McDonald said she hopes area residents will enjoy the fireworks, which were canceled last year. She encourages people to check the Lewiston Auburn Liberty Festival Facebook page for updates on the event.

“Next year, we are planning to come back in full force — bigger and better,” McDonald said.

Adam Platz, director of Baxter Outdoors, the outdoor events division of the Baxter Brewing Co., confirmed that the annual Great Falls Brewfest will not be happening this year.

Platz said people love the beer festival, and the company already has a date for the Great Falls Brewfest reserved for 2022, so “it’s definitely coming back.” He’s also planning a new event later this year.

“We will shortly be announcing a new beer festival in partnership with Lost Valley, which would take place sometime in late fall and early November,” Platz said. “We just want to be able to give the outdoor beer festival experience to all the locals who we know love it.”

Lost Valley ski area includes a brewpub at 200 Lost Valley Road in Auburn.

“We know folks may be disappointed to miss one of the premier beer festivals of the year, but we hope you’ll join us in 2022 and stay tuned for some more fun things to come later in 2021,” Platz said.