BRATTLEBORO — The “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth” citizens committee invites the public to the town's 45th annual Independence Day celebration, set for Wednesday, July 4, with a morning parade downtown and afternoon and evening program of family activities and fireworks at Living Memorial Park.
Some 50 marching units - including the Brattleboro American Legion and Brattleboro Union High School bands, veterans, civic, and youth groups - will kick off the festivities at 10 a.m. with a parade along Canal and Main streets to the town Common.
Brattleboro's Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which is sponsoring the parade for a fourth year, will lead the march with its giant American flag, while local personality Alfred Hughes Jr. will conclude the event by debuting his annual top-secret ensemble.
BCTV will air the parade live on local cable television channel 8 and online at brattleborotv.org, with commentary by longtime broadcaster Tim Johnson.
After, the town Recreation & Parks Department will offer a series of public concerts, sporting events, and family activities at Living Memorial Park - just off Western Avenue and Interstate 91 Exit 2 - from 2 p.m. to the start of fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Highlights include a New England Center for Circus Arts performance at 5:45 p.m., a children's concert by Les Julian at 6:30 p.m., and the Miles Band at 7 p.m.
All programs are free, thanks to citizen, civic, and corporate donations, starting with the celebration's main sponsors at Brattleboro's Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, C&S Wholesale Grocers, G.S. Precision, the Holstein Association, and the Richards Group.