BRATTLEBORO — Organizers of Brattleboro's 46th annual Independence Day celebration are inviting the public to participate in a parade and help pay for fireworks for the town's free family event.
The “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth” citizens committee will mark July 4 with a morning march downtown and an afternoon and evening of sports, concerts, and fireworks at Living Memorial Park.
Marching units set to include bands, veterans, and civic and youth groups will kick off at 10 a.m. with a parade along Canal and Main streets to the town Common.
Afterward, the town Recreation & Parks Department will offer a series of family activities at Living Memorial Park throughout the afternoon and evening until the start of fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
People interested in marching in the parade must register by Sunday, June 23, with applications available by emailing brattleborogoesfourth@gmail.com.
Organizers also are seeking traffic volunteers to stand at intersections along Canal Street a half hour before the parade's start, with more information available at 802-251-7466.
All programs are free, thanks to citizen, civic, and corporate donations, starting with the local Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which has contributed enough money to cover all parade costs and will lead the march with its giant American flag.
“They've been able to step up, for which we're grateful,” town Recreation and Parks Director Carol Lolatte said in a news release.
The Elks donation is part of the national fraternal organization's mission to invest in communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today's veterans, and improve everyone's quality of life.
The all-volunteer effort now is working to raise money to pay for fireworks and Living Memorial Park entertainment, with donations accepted at “Brattleboro Goes Fourth,” P.O. Box 1112, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/BrattleboroGoesFourth.