The United States’ Semiquincentennial — also known as the 250th — is quickly approaching and Upper Valley communities are getting ready to celebrate in style. While there have been events taking place throughout the year, many groups are planning extra-special Fourth of July celebrations.
Here’s a look at some upcoming events, as well as information about town-specific committees that have other events in the works. Visit vnews.com/2026/06/20/independence-day-celebrations-upper-valley for a full list of Fourth of July events, including fireworks.
Events free unless otherwise noted. Email additions and updates to calendar@vnews.com.
Hartford Alumni Association celebrates 250th this Saturday
The Annual Hartford High School Alumni Parade — which takes place Saturday, June 27 — will have a “Hartford Commemorates America’s 250th” theme. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the White River Elementary School and progress to Bridge Street, Railroad Row, South Main Street, Gates Street, Church Street, the Hartford Avenue bridge and back to Maple Street. More information: hartfordhighschoolalumni.org.
Independence Day celebrations with a 250th twist
The theme of Brownsville’s multi-day Independence Day celebration is “Brownsville Celebrates America 250.” Fireworks are on Friday, July 3, and a highlight is sure to be the annual parade at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4, along Brownsville-Hartland Road. More information: facebook.com/IndependenceDayBrownsville.
Fairlee and Orford’s annual Fourth of July parade — with a “250 Years of ‘We the People’ ” theme — takes place Saturday, July 4, beginning at 11 a.m. on Route 25A in Orford, then travels along Rou
“America 250” is the theme of Hanover’s 30th Annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, which takes place Saturday, July 4. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Hanover High School and ends on the Dartmouth Green. More information: hanovernh.org/724/30th-Annual-Old-Fashioned-Fourth-of-July.
The multi-day “Lebanon Celebrates America 250” celebration includes a fireworks show Thursday, July 2. New this year is the “USA 250th Anniversary Celebration Parade,” which is scheduled to take place at 11:30 a.m. The parade will start at the Carter Community Building Association and circle Colburn Park. More information: lebanonnh.gov/1063/Independence-Day. Following the parade, Upper Valley Music Center instructor Allison Pollard will lead a singalong featuring independence-themed songs from 12:30 to 1 p.m. at the park. More information: uvmusic.org/event/4th-of-july-sing-along-with-uvmc.
“Plainfield: Our Hometown Celebrates USA’s 250th” will take place Saturday, July 4. The annual Fourth of July celebration includes a “Plainfield in the Revolutionary War” exhibition, which will be set up from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Plainfield Historical Society on Route 12A. More information: plainfieldnh.org.
Randolph’s annual Fourth of July Celebration on Saturday, July 4, is going all in for the 250th, including a “Freedom 4 All” parade, which starts at 10 a.m. on Main Street and ends at Town Recreation Field. The Randolph Technical Career Center Culinary Arts program has prepared a 250th cake as part of the post-parade festivities. More information: whiterivervalleychamber.com/july-4th-parade-celebration.
Woodstock’s 250th Community Celebration includes various events from Wednesday, July 1, through Sunday, July 5. Festivities kick off July 1 with Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Festival Tour: “America 250” at Saskadena Six Ski Area in South Pomfret (tickets are $10 to $45) and concludes with fireworks Sunday, July 5, at Woodstock Union High School ($10 per vehicle to park). In between, there’s a kids bike parade and community dinner on Saturday, July 4, along with other festivities. More information: woodstockvt.com/july-4th-in-woodstock.
A three-day celebration at the Calvin Coolidge Historic Site
Multiple organizations — including the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation and the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation — have joined together to celebrate the 250th from Thursday, July 2, through Saturday, July 4, at the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch, Vt.
Coolidge was born on July 4, 1872, and as the country’s 30th president, presided over the nation’s 150th celebration on July 4, 1926, according to the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on the Vermont-born president.
The celebration includes a orchestra concert featuring patriotic music at 6 p.m. Friday, July 3, and a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 4. More information: coolidgereview.com/america-250.
A lot to look forward to at the Fort at No. 4
Charlestown’s Fort at No. 4 — which the British operated from 1735 through 1770 — will host a variety of Revolutionary War-related programs in the coming months. The nonprofit organization, in conjunction with the Charlestown’s Silsby Free Library and recreation department, will host free, family-friendly movies around 8 p.m. each Thursday in July.
The Fort will open at 7 p.m. and people can play colonial games until the films start. First up on July 2 is an excerpt from Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution” documentary series, followed by “Johnny Tremain” on July 9, “Felicity: An American Girl Adventure” on July 16, “An American Tail” on July 23 and “National Treasure” on July 30. More information: facebook.com/fortat4.
Looking ahead, on Sept. 12 and 13, the fort will host a “Return to No. 4: Revolutionary War Weekend,” which features reenactors. Admission is $10 to $15, with children 5 and under free. More information: fortat4.org/return-to-4.
Simultaneous Declaration of Independence readings
On July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia, the Declaration of Independence was read publicly for the first time, according to the Library of Congress. As part of the 250th celebration, communities across the country will hold readings.
The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation staff will read the founding document at 6 p.m. outside the Old Constitution House, located at 16 Main St., in Windsor. More information: historicsites.vermont.gov/event/declaration-independence-reading.
Town groups have done a lot, have even more planned
Numerous Upper Valley towns have volunteer groups that have been staging events throughout the year. Here’s information about some of them:
Hartford: Hartford 250th Commemoration Committee; visit hartford-vt.org/3788/250th-Commemoration-Committee for more information.
Newbury, Vt.: Vermont 250th Commemoration: “Resilience in Newbury: Past, Present and Future”; visit newburyvt.org/222/Newbury-Celebrates-the-250th-Anniversary for more information.
Thetford: Thetford SQC; visit thetfordvtsqc.weebly.com for more information.
State commissions
Both Vermont and New Hampshire have state commissions that have been hosting events, as well as helping communities host their own:
New Hampshire: newhampshire250.org.
Vermont: anniversary250.vermont.gov.
Vermont also has a searchable map where people can find — and visit — historic markers related to the Revolutionary War: accd.vermont.gov/historic-preservation/roadside-markers. Those in the Upper Valley include the Nathaniel Niles marker in West Fairlee and the Site of 1780 Raid in Tunbridge.
