Fourth of July weekend is almost here and Upper Valley towns are ready to celebrate.
Fancy going to a parade? Watching fireworks? Listening to a reading of a Frederick Douglass speech? Why not all three?
There are also street fairs, barbecues, a patriotic singalong and even a dog parade. Many area historical societies also will be open for the holiday, so learn about our region’s role in the founding of the country.
Fair warning: Some events are weather dependent. Be sure to check with organizations for possible changes. Did we miss an event? Email calendar@vnews.com and let us know.
Festivals, Parades and More
Independence Day Festivities in Strafford: Events begin June 30 at 4 p.m. with guided tour of Morrill Homestead, Strafford vs. South Strafford softball game at Varney Field at 5 p.m. and Townhouse concert at 7 p.m. On July 1, the cook shack opens at 8:30 a.m. and the Lion’s Club Variety Show starts at 7 p.m. at the Town House. In between, there’s a village-to-village road race, book sale, parade, frog jumping contest, and more at various locations around town. Free. 802-765-4411. Also July 1, the annual fire department auction is at noon and the barbecue begins at 5 p.m.: half a chicken, roll, salad, creamed corn, a drink and homemade dessert. $12. The Strafford Common, 241 Justin Morrill Highway. 802-765-4647.
Red, White and Blue Pie Sale in Randolph: July 1, 10 a.m. All homemade pies. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 15 Summer St. 802-728-9910.
Vershire Day Celebration and Parade: July 1, 10 a.m. The annual celebration features a bake sale, flower arranging competition, a 2 p.m. parade including a fleet of vintage vehicles, chicken barbecue from 3-6 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. Free. Vershire Town Center, Route 113. 802-685-3200.
Independence Day Fireworks Festival in Brownsville: July 3, 5 p.m. A community celebration followed by fireworks at dusk. Food for sale, music by the Claremont Firehouse Six Dixieland Band, games, Cheryl the Clown, a raffle and more. Rain date is July 5. Free. Ascutney Trails, 400 Ski Tow Road, Brownsville. 802-484-1223. On July 4, Old Home Day with Independence Day parade runs from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Includes music, games, crafts and white elephant and food sale. Activities held at various locations. Parade, with the theme “Our American Heroes,” begins at 11 a.m.; Antique or unique vehicles and floats needed. Free. Hartland-Brownsville Road, Route 44e. 802-484-9286.
Fourth of July Celebration in Woodstock: July 4, 8:30 a.m. Festivities include a 7.1-mile road race and kids fun run, activities at the Billings Farm & Museum, games and a cookout at Woodstock Union High School and fireworks after dark. Various locations around town. 802-457-3456.
Fourth of July Parade and Chicken Barbecue in East Corinth: July 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. East Corinth Congregational Church hosts its 71st annual Fourth of July celebration. Parade starts at 9 a.m., chicken barbecue starts at 11 a.m. Silent auction, music, face painting and more. $6-$10. East Corinth Village. 802-439-5417.
All-You-Can-Eat Pie Buffet in Lebanon: July 4, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. A fundraiser toward the global effort to eradicate polio. Menu includes savory and sweet pies. All you can eat on site, or take two pieces away. $5-$8. Upper Valley Senior Center, 10 Campbell St. 603-448-2936.
Red, White & Blue 10K, 5K and Fun Run in Lebanon: July 4, 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Flat course follows the Northern Rail Trail along the Mascoma River. Register at https://racewire.com/register.php?id=7652. $10-$25. Colburn Park, 51 N. Park St. 603-448-5121.
Fourth of July Celebration in Hanover: July 4, 10 a.m. Parade at 10 a.m., starting from Hovey Lane and ending on the Dartmouth green. Activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. include games, a pie eating contest, food, pony rides, live music and crafts. Free. Dartmouth green, downtown. 603-643-5315.
Fourth of July Celebration in Randolph: July 4, 10 a.m. Parade downtown starts at 10 a.m., followed by a street festival until 2 p.m. Free swim at the town pool from 1-5 p.m. The Randolph Historical Society Museum is open from 1-3 p.m. Free. Various locations, downtown. 802-728-9027.
Old Home Day in Hartland: July 4, 11 a.m. A parade will be followed by all-day family activities, food and events. The Moonlighters big band performs at the gazebo from 6:30-9 p.m., followed by fireworks. Free. Hartland Recreation Center, 19 Route 12. 802-436-2790.
Fourth of July Parade in Plainfield: July 4, 11 a.m. Floats, music, antique cars, food and crafts for sale and more. Free. Route 12A, Main Street. 603-667-6907.
Orford-Fairlee Fourth of July Parade: July 4, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Parade theme is “1917: The Yanks Are Coming.” Starts at 11 a.m. at Rivendell Middle School and ends in Fairlee with barbecue, pie and ice cream. Live music and fireworks over Lake Morey at dusk. Free. Orford-Fairlee parade route, Main Street/Route 10 in Orford and Route 5 in Fairlee. 603-353-4220.
Patriotic Singalong in Enfield: July 4, 11 a.m. George and Donna Butler lead annual event with tunes played on a 1930 Casavant organ. Bring a flag to wave. Active and veteran service members encouraged to attend in uniform. Pie sale follows. Admission is by donation. Mary Keane Chapel, Enfield Shaker Museum, 447 Route 4A. 603-632-1130.
Fourth of July Celebration in Claremont: July 4, 6 p.m. Food vendors and a performance by local classic rock and country band Rusted Chrome will precede a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. $1 donation requested. Monadnock Park, 190 Broad St. 603-542-7019.
Fireworks Festival in Hartford: July 4, 6 p.m. Family and children’s entertainment, live music by Juke Joynt, food by White River Rotary. Fireworks begin at dusk. Rain date is July 5. Free. Kilowatt Park, 61 Passumpsic Ave. 802-295-9353.
Fireworks in Canaan: July 4, 7 p.m. Fireworks at dusk, preceded by live music. Donations for parking support the Canaan Recreation Department’s summer camp and swim programs. Canaan Motor Club race track, 18 Orange Road. 603-632-5026 ext. 5408.
Fourth of July Fireworks Display in Lebanon: July 4, 9:15 p.m. Good seats and treats for a Fourth of July fireworks display. The Lebanon Outing Club will sell popcorn and water in the ski lodge before the show. Free. Storrs Hill Ski Lodge, 60 Spring St.. 603-448-3054.
Frederick Douglass Readings
A number of towns have acted on the suggestion of the Vermont Humanities Council and are holding public readings of Frederick Douglass’ July 5, 1852, speech, The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro, in which the abolitionist orator took exception to being asked to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July?” Douglass asked in his speech, delivered in Rochester, N.Y. “I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.”
Here is a list of the scheduled readings:
Norwich: June 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m. A public reading of Douglass’ speech. Copies will be provided. Refreshments and discussion to follow. Rain location: Norwich Congregational Church. Free. Norwich Green, 1 Church St. 802-649-1184.
Quechee: July 1, 11 a.m. A participatory reading of Douglass’ speech. Quechee green gazebo, 70 Village Green. 802-295-1232.
Tunbridge: July 3, 7 p.m. A participatory reading. Free. Tunbridge Public Library, 289 Route 110. 802-889-9404.
Randolph: July 4, 12 p.m. A participatory reading. Free. Kimball Public Library, 67 N. Main St. 802-728-5073.
Hartland: July 13, 7 p.m. A communal reading. Hartland Public Library, 153 Route 5. 802-436-2473.
Fireworks Displays
Vershire: July 1, around dusk. Vershire Town Center, Route 113. 802-685-3200.
Brownsville: July 3, around dusk. Rain date is July 5. Ascutney Trails, 400 Ski Tow Road. 802-484-1223.
Randolph: July 3, around dusk. Stock Farm, Stock Farm Road. 802-728-9027.
Woodstock: July 4, after dark. Woodstock Union High School, 100 Amsden Way. 802-457-3456.
Hartland: July 4, after 9 p.m. Hartland Recreation Center, 19 Route 12. 802-436-2790.
Orford-Fairlee: July 4, over Lake Morey at dusk. 603-353-4220. egd30062@gmail.com.
Claremont: July 4, 9:30 p.m. Monadnock Park, 190 Broad St. 603-542-7019.
Hartford: July 4, at dusk. Rain date is July 5. Kilowatt Park, 61 Passumpsic Ave. 802-295-9353.
Canaan: July 4, at dusk. Canaan Motor Club race track, 18 Orange Road. 603-632-5026 ext. 5408.
Lebanon: July 4, 9:15 p.m. Storrs Hill Ski Lodge, 60 Spring St. 603-448-3054.
