For many years now the Bar Harbor Fourth of July festivities have been recognized nationally as one of the best small town celebrations in the U.S. Not only do the celebrations pay homage to time-honored traditions, but have continued to provide something new over the years.

This past June the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce decided to build on its favorite festivities by introducing a Fourth of July singing competition, hoping to bring a talented singer to the Bar Harbor waterfront to perform the National Anthem before the fireworks.

The contest was launched in early June, sending out an open call for singers of all ages and styles to submit a video of themselves singing the National Anthem. The response was overwhelming, and the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce received over 40 submissions in just a few brief weeks. “We were so impressed by the quality of the submissions, as they came in one after another,” stated Chris Fogg, executive director of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

From the mass of submissions that the Chamber received, 5 finalists were selected to perform a live audition in front of a panel of judges, and from among those a winner was chosen. The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce that from among those finalists, they selected Mykayla Tompkins of Brewer, Maine as their winner-- “It was Mykayla’s powerful voice that really set her apart from the other singers,” said Chris Fogg.

Mykayla Tompkins has had a lifelong passion for music, as she began singing and performing at age 5, going on to graduate in 2012 from the University of Maine at Orono with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She helped establish the music program at the Graham Lake School at KidsPeace in Ellsworth, Maine, where she now works as Music Director.

Mykayla will be performing the National Anthem before the fireworks on Friday, July 4th at approximately 9:13pm. For further information on the other festivities for the Fourth of July, please visit www.barharborinfo.com or call 207-288-5103.

More From WWMJ Ellsworth Maine