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Piping plovers nearly scrap Maine town's July 4 fireworks show

A piping plover nest canceled the weekly fireworks display in Old Orchard Beach last Thursday, prompting concern that the Fourth of July show would be canceled.

Read the full story at necn.com

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine (NECN) -- The July Fourth fireworks display in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, will go on as planned after some piping plovers almost caused a cancellation.

A plover nest sits just 400 feet from the town's fireworks launch site, right on the beach behind the Palace Playland amusement park. Old Orchard Beach is a draw for tourists from all over New England and Eastern Canada, and the Fourth is one of the biggest times of its busiest times of year.

RELATED: Programs helped more than 100 Maine plover chicks fledge

Last week, a plover was still protecting unhatched eggs there, which forced town officials to cancel the weekly fireworks display.

"This is a federal crime if these birds die, and you're sort of responsible for it," Old Orchard Town Manager Larry Mead said.

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