Press Releases
MONTPELIER — Montpelier Alive invites residents and visitors to gather in the capital city on Friday, July 3 for one of the state’s largest Independence Day celebrations. This year’s theme, “250 Together!,” honors our nation’s 250th anniversary and celebrates the connections that bring communities together.
The day-long celebration will feature family activities, live music, food trucks, the Montpelier Mile road race, a community parade, and a spectacular fireworks display over downtown Montpelier.
“‘250 Together!’ is an opportunity to celebrate not only our nation’s history, but also the community spirit that makes Montpelier special,” said Katie Trautz, executive director of Montpelier Alive. “July 3rd has always been about neighbors, families, and visitors coming together downtown and gives us a chance to celebrate our sense of community.”
The celebration begins with activities throughout downtown and culminates in the main event on the Statehouse lawn. Family Fest runs from 3 to 6 p.m. and includes bounce houses, lawn games, a “creative break” with the T.W. Wood Museum, and performances by Providence Drum Troupe, MINC the Band, and the Capital City Band.
A record number of food and specialty vendors will line State Street throughout the afternoon and evening, offering everything from lobster rolls, barbecue, wood-fired pizza, and tamales to gelato, shaved ice, lemonade, crepes, and more. Visitors will also find local artisans, face painting, and novelty vendors.
The Montpelier Mile, presented by Onion River Outdoors, begins at 6 p.m. through downtown. The race welcomes participants of all ages and abilities and serves as the traditional kickoff to the evening festivities.
The community parade, sponsored by Vermont Mutual Insurance Group, steps off at 6:15 p.m. The “250 Together!” theme encourages participants to reflect on the nation’s history while celebrating the shared experiences and community connections that define Montpelier today.
The evening concludes with a free concert by acclaimed blues artists Dave Keller and Johnny Rawls from 7 to 9 p.m. on the Statehouse lawn, followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. presented by Heney Realtors | Element Real Estate.
In addition to the main festivities, visitors can enjoy a local event, including free admission to the Vermont Historical Society’s new “50 for 250” exhibit, free swimming at the Montpelier city pool, visits to the Montpelier Fire Department, and downtown activities including Bear Pond Books’ annual Where’s Waldo scavenger hunt and live music around town.
Leading sponsors for the 2026 celebration include Platinum Sponsors Vermont Mutual Insurance Group, Community National Bank, Heney Realtors/Element Real Estate, Union Mutual, and NorthCountry Federal Credit Union. Additional support is provided by Cody Chevrolet, the Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA), AARP Vermont, SERVPRO Team Paul, Washington Electric Cooperative, the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, and Casella Waste Systems. With media sponsor The Bridge and ORCA Media live-streaming the parade.
The event is also made possible through the partnership and support of the city of Montpelier, Green Mountain Transit, numerous community organizations, volunteers, performers, vendors, public safety personnel, and local businesses.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, explore downtown businesses, and take advantage of a free shuttle service operating between the Vermont Department of Labor parking lot and downtown Montpelier from 4 to 10:30 p.m.
A complete schedule of events, vendor information, parade details, parking information, and event updates can be found at MontpelierAlive.org/July3.
Interested in volunteering for July 3rd? Easy two-hour shifts are available, and we feed our volunteers! Email festivals@montpelieralive.org.
