BRATTLEBORO — Organizers of Brattleboro's Independence Day celebration are working to wrap up public fundraising efforts to pay for the town's 45th annual free family event.
The “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth” citizens committee will mark July 4 with a morning parade downtown and an afternoon and evening of sports, concerts, and fireworks at Living Memorial Park.
Brattleboro's Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, known for leading the annual march with its giant American flag, kicked off this year's fundraising by contributing enough money to cover all parade costs.
“They've been able to step up, for which we're grateful, so we can continue to do what we do,” Recreation and Parks Director Carol Lolatte said.
In addition, four local businesses - C&S Wholesale Grocers, G.S. Precision, the Holstein Association, and the Richards Group - have agreed to be the celebration's main sponsors.
Seven other institutions - Brattleboro Kiwanis Club, Chroma Technology Corp., Marina Restaurant, Sam's Outdoor Outfitters, Triple T Trucking, Trust Company of Vermont, and Vermont Country Deli - also have contributed significantly.
Those collective donations are allowing the all-volunteer effort to team up with WTSA-FM to raise the rest of the money at the event's annual radiothon, set for June 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the downtown Brattleboro Savings & Loan.
Marching units will include the Brattleboro American Legion and Brattleboro Union High School bands, as well as other veteran, civic, and youth groups, and will kick off July 4 at 10 a.m. with a parade along Canal and Main streets to the town Common.
After the parade, the town Recreation & Parks Department will offer a series of public concerts, sporting events, and family activities at Living Memorial Park throughout the afternoon and evening until the start of fireworks (by Northstar, a Vermont-owned company) at 9:30 p.m.
All programs are free thanks to citizen, civic, and corporate donations.
More information is available at the Brattleboro Goes Fourth Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BrattleboroGoesFourth or by emailing brattleborogoesfourth@gmail.com.