Local businesswoman Kelli Corbeil - daughter-in-law of the lead founder of Brattleboro's July 4 celebration - has been named grand marshal of Brattleboro's 40th annual Independence Day parade.
Corbeil, owner of WTSA radio and co-chairwoman of the Project Feed the Thousands food drive, will represent the next generation of locals to participate in a day of free family activities launched in 1973 under the guidance of the late J. Wayne Corbeil.
Kelli Corbeil, the mother of school-age sons Connor and Zachary, is known locally for honoring both her father-in-law, and her late husband, Bill, by raising money for the Jimmy Fund supporting Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Corbeil and family will lead the 10 a.m. parade along Canal and Main streets to the town Common. Some 50 entries - including the Brattleboro American Legion and Brattleboro Union High School bands, veterans and civic and youth groups - will appear in divisions that “Honor the Past,” “Celebrate the Community” and “Welcome the Future."
The march will be capped by an “Alfred Saves the World” finale featuring local personality Alfred Hughes Jr. in his annual top-secret gown surrounded by youth bearing flags and messages mirroring the 1973 parade's tribute to Brattleboro immigrants and their native countries.
After, the town Recreation & Parks Department will offer a series of public concerts, sporting events, and family activities at Living Memorial Park from 1:30 p.m. to the start of fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Highlights include the Santa Croce family band from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m.; children's entertainers Vic and Sticks at 6:30 p.m.; and New England native Peter Miles and his rock, funk, blues and jazz band from 7:45 to 9:30 p.m. A full listing of events is available at www.brattleborogoesfourth.com.
Also, an all-volunteer citizens committee is working to close a $2,000 budget gap to pay for local bands, fireworks, and appropriate liability insurance and security. People can mail contributions to “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth,” P.O. Box 1112, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
Celebrate! is the theme of this year's Fourth of July in Saxtons River
SAXTONS RIVER – With a theme of “Celebrate!,” Saxtons River will kick off its annual Independence Day celebration Thursday, 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 highlighted by firemen's water polo, a hula hoop contest, and music on the bandstand. Miniature golf, an egg toss, a pie contest, and a baseball game featuring a match between the Saxtons River Pirates and the Bellows Falls American Legion are also on the schedule.
Grand marshals for the parade are Michael B. Furgat and Lynda Fletcher-Furgat, representing the family that donated the land for the Saxtons River Recreation Area.
Afternoon activities move to the Saxtons River Rec, and include swimming, square dancing, and old-time fiddling with Andy, Laurie and Friends, and music for dancing with the band, all topped off with fireworks at dusk. There will also be popcorn and cotton candy on sale. The Saxtons River Montessori School will be selling burgers and dogs.
This year's T-shirt is a blast from the past as a popular design by Mary Landon is reprised. T-shirts will be sold from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 29 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.
Art show, street fair, and parade in Wardsboro
WARDSBORO - Wardsboro has celebrated the artistic talent of the region for the past 64 years. This year is no different.
The exhibition and sale of fine art and fine crafts features many well-known Vermont painters and artisans. The regional artists who participate in the show are helping to support the fundraising effort to restore the 19th century red barn into additional library space for the small rural library.
Admission to the show is free and runs from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. on July 4 only. The show is a benefit for the Friends of the Wardsboro Library, the nonprofit organization which owns the Gloria Danforth Memorial Building and attached barn, the home of the Wardsboro Public Library.
Traditionally, Wardsboro celebrates July 4 with a big parade and street fair beginning at 9 a.m., rain or shine. In addition to the art show, the Street Fair features a wide variety of vendors, food, and entertainment all along the town's Main Street. The Friends' booth is located across from Town Hall and features two exciting raffles. The Super Raffle is an Old Town kayak (drawing is Aug. 17) and the “July 4th Only” raffle features 30 prizes appealing to all ages. Winners will be announced at 1 p.m. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Wardsboro Library.
The parade begins at 10 a.m., with judging of the entries announced from the steps of Town Hall on the parade's return trip. Visitors are urged to arrive early as parking on Main Street is prohibited during the parade. Other parking areas, including a handicapped-only lot, will be available along Route 100.