BRATTLEBORO — The “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth” citizens committee invites the public to the town's 41st annual Independence Day celebration, set for Friday, July 4, with a morning parade downtown and afternoon and evening program of free activities, concerts and fireworks at Living Memorial Park.
Some 50 marching units - including the Brattleboro American Legion and Brattleboro Union High School bands, veterans, civic and youth groups, and local personality Alfred Hughes Jr. in his annual top-secret gown - will kick off the festivities at 10 a.m. with a parade along Canal and Main streets to the town Common.
After, the town Recreation & Parks Department will offer a series of public concerts, sporting events and family activities at Living Memorial Park - just off Western Avenue and Interstate 91 Exit 2 - from 1:30 p.m. to the start of fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
All programs are free thanks to citizen, civic and corporate donations, including major supporters C & S Wholesale Grocers, G.S. Precision Inc., the Richards Group, Brattleboro Savings & Loan, Holstein Association USA and Be Heard! Sound Productions.
The all-volunteer organizing committee, losing its longtime sole fireworks sponsor with the coming closure of Vermont Yankee, will be collecting money from spectators at the parade and evening park events in hope of continuing the annual show.
Schedule of events
DOWNTOWN:
9:30 a.m.: Bill Powers Memorial Firecracker 4-Miler.
10 a.m.: Parade, Canal to Main Street to Common (children can decorate bikes at 9 a.m. at Vermont Inn Pizza on 228 Canal St.)
LIVING MEMORIAL PARK:
1:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.: Food and family activities.
1:30 p.m.: Small Fry baseball All-Star Game.
2-3:30 p.m.: Children's penny carnival with face painting and games.
3 p.m.: Swim races.
5:30-7:15 p.m.: Vermont's “American Pop” cover band.
6:30 p.m.: Children's entertainment with T-Bone.
7:45-9:30 p.m.: Brattleboro's classic rock and roll Wyld Nightz Band.
9:30 p.m.: Fireworks by Northstar, a Vermont-owned company based in Montpelier.