Vermont to go ‘Fourth’ with a long weekend of pyrotechnics and parades

Wardsboro , population 869, is calling its 75th anniversary Fourth of July Parade and Street Fair “Southern Vermont’s Oldest Independence Day celebration,” having rung in the event with church bells since 1949.

Then again, the nearby Rockingham village of Saxtons River , population 479, is advertising its own event as “a longstanding tradition, 75 years we’ve been told!” — a fact confirmed by old newspapers.

And not to be outdone, the northern town of Warren , population 1,977, is promising “wild, wacky and wickedly fun” festivities for a “75th-almost-consecutive-year.”

More than 40 cities and towns across the Green Mountain State are ready to celebrate the red, white and blue, with the schedule of Fourth of July celebrations stretching well into the long holiday weekend.

Vermont’s biggest city of Burlington is set to host the state’s largest fireworks show on Wednesday, July 3, to cap an evening of festivities from 5 to 11 p.m. at Waterfront Park along Lake Champlain.

The state capital of Montpelier will hold its own July 3 celebration — an event that draws up to 15,000 people to the Statehouse lawn — with food trucks and family activities starting Wednesday at 3 p.m., a mile road race and parade at 6 p.m., and fireworks at dark.

The Northeast Kingdom town of Danville , home to the local landmark Joe’s Pond and its annual spring ice-out guessing game, will see the return of pyrotechnics on Wednesday, July 3 — a year after organizers took a break in 2023, citing bills that skyrocketed from $200 in 1965 to more than $10,000 today.

In contrast, roadwork in Fairlee , population 988, is canceling this year’s parade (“we expect a long summer of delays,” local officials warn), although the annual flyover and fireworks are set to continue on Thursday, July 4.

Individual businesses, organizations and attractions are holding activities too numerous to mention. But among Vermont communities promoting free public events online:

Barton is set to gather at the Orleans County Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 6, for a day of events including a tractor pull at 9 a.m. and horse pull at 10 a.m.

Bennington ’s program on Thursday, July 4, will begin with a reading of the Declaration of Independence at noon at the Bennington Battle Monument and end with fireworks at Willow Park at 9:30 p.m.

Brandon ’s Independence Day celebration on Saturday, July 6, will include a downtown parade at 10 a.m. and fireworks at dusk.

Brattleboro ’s “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth” observance on Thursday, July 4, will feature a 10 a.m. parade downtown and afternoon and evening program of family activities and fireworks at Living Memorial Park.

Bristol ’s celebration will begin Wednesday, July 3, and include fireworks at dusk and continue Thursday, July 4, with an outhouse race at 9 a.m. and parade at 10:30 a.m.

Brownsville will feature fireworks on Wednesday, July 3, at dusk and a parade on Thursday, July 4, at 1:30 p.m.

Cabot is advertising a parade on Thursday, July 4, at 11 a.m.

Colchester ’s observance on Thursday, July 4, will begin with a parade at 10 a.m. and end with fireworks at dusk.

Corinth ’s celebration on Thursday, July 4, will feature a parade at 10 a.m., followed by a chicken barbecue at the local fairgrounds.

Danville will offer fireworks at Joe’s Pond on Wednesday, July 3, at dark.

Derby ’s parade is scheduled for Thursday, July 4, at 10 a.m.

Dover ’s fireworks are set for Saturday, July 6, at dusk.

Essex Junction ’s program on Thursday, July 4, will feature food and live music at the Champlain Valley Exposition at 6 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Fairlee ’s shared celebration with neighboring Orford, New Hampshire, on Thursday, July 4, will focus on fireworks at dusk.

Greensboro ’s “Funky Fourth” on Saturday, July 6, will feature a parade and community picnic at 10 a.m.

Guilford will gather on Thursday, July 4, for an 11 a.m. reading of the Declaration of Independence at the local Meeting House before moving on at 11:30 a.m. to a picnic at the nearby Broad Brook Community Center.

Hartford ’s celebration on Thursday, July 4, will include fireworks at dusk at Kilowatt Park in Wilder.

Hartland ’s Old Home Day on Thursday, July 4, will range from a tractor pull at 8 a.m. to a parade at 10 a.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.

Hinesburg ’s program on Thursday, July 4, will include a parade at 11 a.m. and fireworks at dusk.

Island Pond ’s event on Saturday, July 6, will offer a parade at 11 a.m. and fireworks at Lakeside Park at 9:30 p.m.

Jeffersonville ’s celebration on Thursday, July 4, will feature a parade at 10 a.m. and fireworks at Smugglers’ Notch Resort at dusk.

Killington ’s event on Thursday, July 4, will include a parade at 10 a.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.

Londonderry will hold a celebration at Magic Mountain on Saturday, July 6, featuring an afternoon of live music and evening of fireworks.

Ludlow ’s fireworks are scheduled for Friday, July 5, at dusk.

Milton ’s celebration on Thursday, July 4, will begin with a parade at 11 a.m. and end with fireworks at dusk.

Newport ’s fireworks are scheduled for Thursday, July 4, at 9:30 p.m.

Peacham ’s July 4th celebration on Thursday, July 4, will feature a tractor parade at 11 a.m. and festivities until 4 p.m.

Poultney ’s celebration will include a parade on Thursday, July 4, at 10 a.m. and a field day and fireworks on Friday, July 5.

Randolph will offer fireworks on Wednesday, July 3, at dusk and a parade and festival on Thursday, July 4, at 10 a.m.

Richmond will gather on Thursday, July 4, for a parade through town at 10:35 a.m., followed by an afternoon of festivities at Volunteers Green.

Saxtons River ’s celebration on Thursday, July 4, will feature a parade at 11 a.m., followed by a street fair.

Stowe ’s “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July” on Thursday, July 4, will include two parades — one in Moscow at 10 a.m. and another on Main Street at noon — and fireworks at dusk.

Strafford ’s program on Saturday, July 6, will feature a Volunteer Fire & Rescue chicken barbecue at 5 p.m.

Stratton ’s Fourth of July weekend will include fireworks on Saturday, July 6, at 9 p.m.

Vershire ’s program on Saturday, July 6, will include live music at 7 p.m. and fireworks at dusk.

Wardsboro will hold its annual parade and street fair on Thursday, July 4, starting at 9 a.m.

Warren ’s event on Thursday, July 4, will feature a parade at 10 a.m. and an afternoon and evening of live music at the Sugarbush Resort leading to fireworks at 9 p.m.

Williston ’s program on Thursday, July 4, will include a parade at 10 a.m. and fireworks at 9:20 p.m.

Woodstock will launch its fireworks on Friday, July 5, at dusk.

And Woodsville and Wells River ’s celebration on Thursday, July 4, will feature a parade at 11 a.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont to go ‘Fourth’ with a long weekend of pyrotechnics and parades .