Which weekend is Fourth of July weekend?
It’s something we’ve been pondering ever since we learned that Independence Day is on a Wednesday this year. A handful of readers have also posed the question to us, so here’s the honest answer:
We don’t know.
But here’s what we do know: There are a lot of great events happening on July Fourth proper, and both the weekend before and after (and many days in between, for that matter).
All events are free unless otherwise noted. Check out our list below and let us know of any events we missed by emailing calendar@vnews.com.
There’s a new addition to Hanover’s Fourth of July parade this year.
Enter the Electric Lawn Care Brigade.
The brainchild of the Hanover Neighborhood Action Group, the brigade aims to raise awareness about energy efficient landscaping options. It is part of Hanover’s greater Ready for 100 campaign, which aims to transition the town to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.
“What does it mean to live a renewable lifestyle in the context of suburbia?” Lyn Miller, a member of the group asked. “A big piece of that puzzle is how we manage our lawns.”
There are a number of people who rely on a lawn service to keep up their yards and a lot of lawn equipment burns fossil fuels. The committee has two suggestions for alternatives.
“Both improve the efficiency of what you currently use,” Miller said, or “make your lawn smaller and you’ll have less to mow.”
Homeowners can switch over to electric lawn equipment or build a rock garden in their yard, for example.
“Part of the idea is to have some fun,” Miller said of the brigade. “How can we reveal some of the possibilities without making people feel bad about what they do?”
It’ll be the only electric lawn care brigade in any Fourth of July parade.
And Miller’s right: It does sound like a lot of fun.
Friday
Frederick Douglass Reading in Quechee
5-6 p.m.
Quechee Gazebo, 70 Village Green.
A participatory reading of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 Independence Day speech, The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro, co-sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council. All are invited to witness and/or join. Copies will be provided. 802-295-1232.
Saturday
Community Picnic and Ice Cream Social in Wells River
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Berry Field, 143 Main St.
BYO picnic; free ice cream served by the Wells River Action Program (WRAP). Kids activities and a bouncy house. Participants can record stories of Newbury history at the Historical Society Story Corps tent. A Squam Lake Natural Science Center program features live animals from New Hampshire. In case of rain, all events will be held at the Wells River Congregational Church at 76 Main St. 802-757-2549.
Sunday
Concert: Vermont Symphony Orchestra in South Pomfret
7:30-9:30 p.m.
Suicide Six Ski Area, 247 Stage Road.
The orchestra celebrates the gifts of nature with guest conductor Sarah Hicks, featuring pyrotechnics during the concert’s finale. Tickets are $28 in advance, $35 day of ($5 for ages 5-17). 802-457-3981.
Frederick Douglass Reading in Tunbridge
6:30 p.m.
Tunbridge Public Library, 289 Route 110.
A participatory reading of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 Independence Day speech, “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro,” co-sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council. All are invited to witness and/or join. Copies will be provided. 802-889-9404.
Monday
Independence Day Commemoration in Charlestown
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fort at No. 4, 267 Springfield Road.
Celebrate the birth of the nation with activities and demonstrations of life in 1776. Special holiday hours this week: The museum will be open Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Visit fortat4.org for more information. $6-$10, 5 and under free. 603-826-5700.
Frederick Douglass Reading in Norwich
6:30 p.m.
Norwich Congregational Church, 15 Church St.
A community reading of the fiery July 5, 1852 speech in which the abolitionist orator Frederick Douglass took exception to being asked to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Copies of the speech will be provided. 802-649-1184.
Tuesday
Fourth of July Concert and Celebration in Brownsville
5 p.m.
Albert Bridge School, 108 Brownsville-Hartland Road.
The New England Brass Band performs Americana music in the bandshell, to be followed at 6 p.m. by music, food and fireworks at Ascutney Mountain on Ski Tow Road. No grills permitted. 802-484-3200.
Fourth of July Fireworks in Randolph
7 p.m.
Brunswick School, Lower Stock Farm Road.
Celebration takes place from 7-11 p.m. (fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m.), with refreshments available for purchase. 802-728-5289.
Fireworks in Plymouth, Vt.
8:30-10 p.m.
President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, 3780 Route 100A.
The Coolidge Foundation hosts a fireworks display at Plymouth Notch to kick off a two-day celebration of American independence and the birth of the 30th President, Calvin Coolidge. Fireworks begin at dusk. Come early to meet President Coolidge himself (as portrayed by reenactor Tracy Messer), who will address the public at 8:45 p.m. For more information, contact Rob Hammer at 802-672-3389 or rhammer@coolidgefoundation.org.
Wednesday
Fourth of July Celebration in Brownsville
7:30 a.m.
Brownsville Community Church, 53 Brownsville Hartland Road.
The day kicks off with breakfast at Brownsville Community Church ($5) from 7:30-10 a.m., followed by music and games for families and kids, along with book, craft and food vendors. A parade down Brownsville-Hartland Road at 1 p.m. features the theme “60 Years Answering the Call,” honoring the West Windsor Volunteer Fire Department’s service to the community. 802-484-3200.
Fourth of July Celebration in Lebanon
9:30 a.m.
Various locations around town.
The day begins with the Red, White & Blue 6.2, 5K & Fun Run at 9:30 a.m. The Rotary Club hosts its annual pie buffet, with a cost of $5-$8, at the Upper Valley Senior Center 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The Flames perform at 7 p.m. at Colburn Park and the fireworks show at Storrs Hill Ski Area begins at 9:20 p.m. 603-448-5121.
Fourth of July Parade and Street Festival in Randolph
10 a.m.
Downtown
Parade theme is “Celebrate Our Brave Little State.” Street festival follows. 802-728-9027.
Fourth of July Celebration in Hanover
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Dartmouth green, North Main Street.
Parade starts at 10 a.m., followed by games, a pie-eating contest, food, pony rides, crafts and entertainment by Take Two, North Country Community Theatre and the North Country Chordsmen. The Hanover Rotary Club will be selling hamburgers and hot dogs at the event to support local charitable organizations. 603-448-2211.
July Fourth Parade and Chicken Barbecue in East Corinth
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
East Corinth Congregational Church, 645 Village Road.
The 28th annual parade through East Corinth village culminates in a chicken barbecue, children’s activities, a silent auction and music by The Turnip Truck Band. Cost for the barbecue: adults $10, children $6. Takeout is available for $6. 802-439-5417.
Old Home Day in Grantham
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Grantham Recreation Park, 19 Shedd Road.
Games, food, prizes and music. 603-443-2894.
Orford-Fairlee Fourth of July Parade and Celebration in Fairlee
11 a.m.
Fairlee town common, Main Street.
Parade (theme: “Idols on Parade”) starts at Rivendell Middle School in Orford at 11 a.m. and proceeds to Route 10 and across the bridge to Fairlee. Festivities include a flag raising, chicken barbecue with pie and ice cream available for purchase, parade awards ceremony, band concert and fireworks over Lake Morey at dusk. 802-333-4363.
Fourth of July/Old Home Day in Hartland
11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Hartland Recreation Center, 19 Route 12.
Live music, vendors, a music trivia contest and more. Parade starts at 10 a.m. (theme: “Star Wars: July the 4th Be With You”; on Monday, officials moved up the start time from 11 a.m. to 10 a.m. due to the forecasted heat). Fireworks at 9 p.m. Visit hartlandrecreation.com for a schedule of events. 802-436-2790.
Union Soldier Grave Dedication Ceremony in Orange
1 p.m.
French Cemetery, Cardigan Mountain Road, just past Tuttle Hill Road.
Sons of Union Veterans dedicate the grave of Moses Hale, an Orange resident who was born in Hanover and served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Refreshments served at Town House after ceremony. 203-257-2686.
Frederick Douglass Reading in Woodstock
4 p.m.
Norman Williams Public Library, 10 The Green.
A participatory reading of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 Independence Day speech, “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro,” co-sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council. All are invited to witness and/or join. Copies will be provided. 802-457-2295.
Fourth of July Celebration in Plymouth, Vt.
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, 3780 Route 100A.
Celebrate the Fourth of July and the birthday of Calvin Coolidge, the only U.S. President born on Independence Day. Events will be ongoing throughout the day. Schedule includes:
Public reading of the Declaration of Independence in the Plymouth Union Christian Church at 9 a.m.; Naturalization ceremony at 10 a.m.; Vermont National Guard lead a march to the Plymouth Notch Cemetery where a wreath will be placed at the President’s gravesite in a brief ceremony with members of the Coolidge family in attendance at noon; final round of the Coolidge Cup National Debate Championship at 2:30 p.m; Speech by President Coolidge (portrayed by Tracy Messer) at 4 p.m.
In addition, visitors can tour 12 buildings at the Coolidge Site. 802-672-3389.
Old Vermont Fourth Celebration in Woodstock
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Billings Farm & Museum, 69 Old River Road.
A patriotic family celebration featuring a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a historic debate, wagon rides, making 1890s flags, spelling bees, sack races, playing historic baseball and more. $5-$16. 802-457-2355.
Fourth of July Parade and Strawberry Shortcake in Plainfield
11 a.m.
Plainfield Village, Route 12A.
The town’s annual Independence Day parade, along with an art show, barbecue and other events all day long. Strawberry shortcake, homemade biscuits and whipped cream, served for $5 at Smith’s Auction Gallery field, 1064 Route 12A, after the Fourth of July parade at 11:30 a.m. until sold out. 603-667-6907.
Frederick Douglass Reading in Randolph
Noon.
Kimball Public Library, 67 N. Main St.
A community reading of “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro,” the fiery July 5, 1852, speech in which the abolitionist orator Frederick Douglass took exception to being asked to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Copies of the speech will be provided. 802-728-5073.
Fourth of July Celebration in Claremont
6 p.m.
Monadnock Park, 190 Broad St.
Food and vendors, a magic performance by Dylan Tenney and live music by Last Kid Picked. Fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Rain date is July 5. Park along Broad Street or Pleasant Street (not at the park). $1 donation requested. 603-542-7026.
Hartford Fourth of July Celebration in Wilder
6 p.m.
Kilowatt South, 61 Passumpsic Ave.
Food, kids’ games and music with DJ Zack Davis. 802-295-9353.
July 6
Fourth of July Celebration in Strafford
July 6, 5 p.m. and July 7, 8:30 a.m.
Various locations throughout town.
Weekend events include a softball game, Morrill Homestead exhibits and tours, a library book sale, a road race, Fourth of July parade, fire department chicken barbecue, Lions Club variety show and more. 802-765-4548.
July 7
“4 for the Fourth” Run/Walk in Canaan
7:30 a.m.
Social-Summit Lodge No. 50, Canaan and School streets.
5K road race, walk and a fun run for kids 10 and under. Red, white and blue attire encouraged. This year’s race is held in memory of Masons Social-Summit Lodge No. 50 member Nate Harpootlian. Proceeds support Mascoma Valley Parks & Recreation and the Masons’ charitable efforts.
Same-day registration starts at 7:30 a.m.; kids fun run starts at 8:30; road race and walk start at 9. Pre-register at https://runsignup.com/Race/NH/Canaan/4onthe4t. $10-$20. 603-632-5026, ext. 5408
Independence Day Celebration in Grafton
9 a.m.
Williams Recreation Field, Prescott Hill Road.
Flea market, a parade at 10 a.m. (theme: “Fun in Hawaii”), dog show, games, music by The Uncle Knuckles Band and fireworks at dusk. Visit townofgraftonnh.com for a schedule. 603-523-7700.
July Fourth Celebration in Sunapee
1 p.m.
Various locations throughout town.
The Independence Day parade (theme: “Sunapee Memories”) starts at 1 p.m. downtown. Fireworks display over Sunapee Harbor at dusk. A one-hour fireworks cruise ($25) benefits Sunapee Recreation; visit sunapeecruises.com for tickets. 603-763-2212.
Vershire Day in Vershire
3 p.m.
Vershire Town Center, Vershire Center Road.
A chicken barbecue from 3-6 p.m. (menu includes half chicken with potato salad, pasta salad, green salad, coleslaw, baked beans, lemonade and pie) supports the Vershire Fire and Rescue Department. Live music in the evening, followed by fireworks at dusk (9 p.m.) 802-685-2227.
July 8
Frederick Douglass Reading and Discussion in Springfield, Vt.
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Springfield, 21 Fairground Road.
A community reading of “The Meaning of the Fourth of July for the Negro,” the fiery July 5, 1852 speech in which the abolitionist orator Frederick Douglass took exception to being asked to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence. All are invited to witness and/or join in the reading. Copies of the speech will be provided. A discussion will be led by Rev. Mellen Kennedy of the Unitarian Universalist Church after the speech. 802-885-3327.