July 4th Celebrations in Our Region
July 4th things do to and see in our area. Many events are FREE.
Friday, June 29
Frederick Douglass Reading in Quechee 5-6 p.m. Quechee Gazebo, 70 Village Green.A 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, June 30
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.
Sunday, July 1
Old Home Day in Reading, Vt. is a community event that dates back to 1901. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.. This will be the 43rd year that the Reading Fire Department has been hosting this event for the community. Parade Theme: “Fun In The Sun” Parade Starts: 11:00 a.m. Chicken BBQ: Noon, following the end of the parade. Still only $10 for a complete meal. 27th Annual Ox Pull: 1 p.m. at Newhall Meadow by the school and 12th Annual Ducky Derby 2 p.m. at Newhall Field.
Monday July 2-4
Independence Day Commemoration in Charlestown Fort at No. 4, 267 Springfield Road. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 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.
Tuesday July 3
New England Brass Band 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 band shell, 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.
Fireworks in Brownsville, Vt at dusk on Ascutney Mountain. Follow the signs for parking.
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.
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 July 4
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/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 11 a.m. (theme: “Star Wars: July the 4th Be With You”). Fireworks at 9 p.m. Visit hartlandrecreation.com for a schedule of events. 802-436-2790.
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 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.
Sunday, July 8
The Declaration of Independence
Not to be confused with the Constitution
Action of Second Continental Congress,
July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.
WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World.
WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The History of the present King of Great-Britain is a History of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World.