SAXTONS RIVER — With a theme of “Growing Together in Vermont,” Saxtons River will kick off its annual Independence Day celebration on July 4 with a 5K firecracker road race at 8:30 a.m., followed by a parade at 9:30 a.m.
In addition to the race, sponsored by Pleasant Valley Brew Pub, the day's activities include a street fair with water polo, a hula hoop contest, and music on the bandstand. Miniature golf, an egg toss, a pie contest, and baseball games featuring a match between the Saxtons River Pirates and Bellows Falls Post 37 are also on the schedule.
Afternoon activities move to the Saxtons River Recreation Area and include swimming, square dancing, and old-time fiddling with Andy, Laurie and Friends, and music for dancing with the Shakin' All Over band, topped off with fireworks at dusk. There will also be glow-sticks, popcorn, and cotton candy for sale.
This year's T-shirt was designed by fabric designer Kathy Traugott of Westminster, who has created a colorful image of a diverse group of young people in honor of the community that supports them as they mature. T-shirts will be on sale from 9 a.m. to noon the morning before the Fourth in front of the Village Market and at the parade.
Information and updates are available at the Saxtons River Fourth of July page on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Saxtons-River-Fourth-of-July/114092028631270.