SAXTONS RIVER — With the theme of “Celebrating the Arts,” Saxtons River will kick off its annual Independence Day celebration Wednesday, July 4, with a 5K Firecracker road race at 8:30 a.m., followed by a parade at 9:30 a.m.
Grand marshals for the parade are Margo and Mike Ghia. Given the celebration's theme of “Celebrating the Arts,” the committee felt it was fitting to honor Margo Ghia, because she has just left her position as director of Main Street Arts to return to her first love, the environment.
She was recently named district manager of the Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District. Previous to working at MSA, she was director of the Nature Museum in Grafton. She serves on the Rockingham school board and the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union board.
Mike Ghia is being recognized for his leadership in the soccer program at the Saxtons River Rec. He is a self-employed agricultural consultant who travels all over the state advising people in the industry. He also manages the Rockingham Conservation Commission and runs a local sugaring operation.
The Ghias will be riding in the parade in Vinnie DiBernardo's red convertible, right behind the American Legion color guard.
In addition to the race and the parade, the day's activities include a street fair highlighted by the firefighters' water polo, a hula hoop contest, and music on the bandstand. Miniature golf, an egg toss, a pie contest, face painting and food vendors are also on the schedule. Returning this year is the World-Famous Musical Chairs contest.
Afternoon activities move to the Saxtons River Rec Area and include swimming, a cornhole game, and music for dancing with the Bayou X Cajun/Creole band led by Pete Simoneaux, all topped off with fireworks at dusk. There will also be cotton candy and glow sticks on sale. The Saxtons River Rec will be selling food.
This year's T-shirt design by Lisa McNealus features a line drawing of the village's iconic Saxtons River Historical Society museum surrounded by fireworks. T-shirts will be on sale in front of the Village Market on the Fourth.
The day's schedule: 7:30 a.m. Race registration; 8:30 a.m, 5K Firecracker road race; 9 a.m. Kids' bike decorating and parade line up at Vermont Academy; 9:30 a.m. parade; 10 a.m., street fair, games, music on the bandstand, water polo; 6:30 p.m., music for dancing; and 9:30 p.m., fireworks
Information and updates are available at the Saxtons River Fourth of July page on Facebook.