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By Eliana Moorhead
From spectacular fireworks to community parades, road races, and live music, there will be activities celebrating Independence Day throughout the region for the whole family on June 29, July 3, and July 4.
June 29: Waterbury
The Waterbury Rotary Club will host the annual Not Quite Independence Day (NQID) Celebration. The theme is Celebration of Sports and is “inclusive of all ages of athletes and all types of sports, from Little League to the Olympic games, motorsports, local championship teams, and even marathon knitting!”
At 3 p.m, food, beer, crafts, and souvenir vendors will be set up around Rusty Parker Memorial Park. Just before the parade, at 3:45 p.m., runners will head down Main Street for the family-friendly Green Mountain Mile. The “Celebration of Sports” themed parade will begin at the state office complex (south) at 4 p.m. There will be a variety of kids activities — pig races, ring toss, butterfly balloon burst, fish pong, treasure bricks, and more — in Rusty Parker Memorial Park beginning at 5 p.m, followed at 6:00 p.m. by a concert by the Tim Brick Band. The fireworks show will close out the night at 9:00 p.m!
July 3: Montpelier
Organized by Montpelier Alive, Montpelier’s annual July 3 Independence Day event incorporates family events, food, dancing, the community parade, and ends with a bang.
The fun begins with bouncy houses, music, and kids games on the Statehouse lawn as part of the Family Fest from 3 to 5 p.m. The Food Truck Festival will feature delectable choices of food and drink from over 30 vendors on State Street in front of the Statehouse from 3 to 9:30 p.m. The remarkable Capital City Band, which has held free concerts in Montpelier for over 100 years, will perform on the Vermont Supreme Court lawn from 5 to 6 p.m.
At 6 p.m., racers will take to the streets for the annual Montpelier Mile, presented by Onion River Outdoors. The Community Parade will follow the race around 6:15 p.m., featuring over 40 organizations of local musicians, dancers, politicians, sports teams, advocacy groups, and more!
The main stage will feature local award-winning performers all night. From 7 to 9:20 p.m., blues and soul musician Dave Keller will play on the main stage. Fair Sparrow (the fabulous Patti Casey, Susannah Blachly, and Ally Tarwater) will sing the national anthem on the main stage at 9:20 p.m. A marvelous fireworks show will spread across the sky above the Statehouse at 9:30 p.m.
Around town in Montpelier, on July 3:
- 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Statehouse open for self-guided tours.
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibit opening: “For the Love of Vermont” at the Vermont History Museum, 109 State Street. This exhibit features a selection from the largest private collection of 20th century artwork by Vermont artists. Admission by donation.
- 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Family Fun Day at the Montpelier Pool. Enjoy an afternoon of free swimming at the pool!
- 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the Montpelier Fire Department and take pictures on a fire truck.
- 2 p.m. Fire Dancing at Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
- 3 to 11 p.m. Langdon Street Tavern Street Party, with food, live music, and a beer garden.
- 6 to 9 p.m. Wild Leek River plays on the Charlie-O’s veranda! Watch the fireworks with live music and drinks. (21+)
- 5 p.m. Live music with The Nailers at Bent Nails Bistro! Fun, dance, and delicious bistro food.
July 4: Barre
The annual motorcycle Freedom Ride will be at Wilkins Harley-Davidson starting at 10:30 a.m. All makes and models are welcome for this fun ride around central Vermont, with grilled hotdogs at the end. Wilkins Harley-Davidson. 663 South Barre Road, Barre.
July 4: Cabot
Events start at 8 a.m. with a rummage sale, then a book sale, and the parade at 11 a.m. Parade entries will be judged and cash prizes awarded for cheesiest, most historic, most patriotic, and “Judge’s Choice.” Pre-register to participate in the parade at cabotchronicle.org. Parking lots will be available on Elm Street and Whittier Hill Road and on some village roads. Organizers from the Cabot Community Association request all parking signs be obeyed. Here’s the agenda:
- 8 a.m. Rummage sale at the Cabot School gym.
- 9 a.m. Book sale at Willey Memorial Hall.
- 11 a.m. Cabot 4th of July Parade down Main Street. Participants report to the Cabot Fire Department at 137 South Walden Road before 10 a.m.
- 2 p.m. and beyond, on the town common, food vendors and village businesses will be open.
July 4: Stowe
Stowe Vibrancy and the town of Stowe have partnered to bring Stowe’s parade this year. Also, parade-goers can expect another year with the Moscow Ladies Lawn Chair Drill Team at the Moscow parade starting at 10 a.m. Events are as follows:
- 10 a.m. Moscow Parade.
- 11 a.m. World’s Shortest Marathon.
- 12 p.m. Main Street Parade.
- 6 p.m. and onward. Mayo Farm Event and Fireworks.
stowevibrancy.org/events/old-fashioned-fourth-of-july-celebration
July 4: Waitsfield/Warren
Folks from Warren say the Warren July 4 Parade is “one of the most creative and exciting Independence Day events in central Vermont.”
The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Main Street, followed by a street dance. Throughout the afternoon, there will be food from the Toast and Eggs, plus Rotary Club hot dogs, with Phineas Gage and Phriends’ folk funk band performing at Brooks Field, Warren School.
Sugarbush Resort will host a day of family-friendly activities, from face painting to free scenic lift rides from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a classic BBQ and live music throughout the afternoon, featuring Wayne Canney and Family, the Vermont Bluegrass Pioneers, and the Holter Band. The celebration will close out with fireworks at Lincoln Peak, starting at 9 p.m. 102 Forest Drive, Warren. sugarbush.com/things-to-do/events-calendar/4th-july-weekend-2024
July 4: Worcester
Check out the fireworks at Ladd Field in Worcester Village, starting between 9:15 and 9:30 p.m.
