Region prepares to celebrate Independence DayDate: 6/26/2023 The Fourth of July holiday weekend is upon us and festivities throughout the Pioneer Valley and beyond are slated to offer fun and pay homage to the sacrifices made to secure the nation’s freedom.
Reminder Publishing compiled a list of events taking place in our coverage area or the immediate surrounding area that may be of interest to our readers. Note: this may not be a complete list of events in our area.
While most of these events are free, some are ticketed or have entry fees.
Agawam
Six Flags New England will host its July 4th Fest, at which the property will be transformed into red, white and blue while offering thrills, Americana treats, patriotic songs and nightly firework displays. More information is available at sixflags.com/newengland/events.
Amherst
Amherst will host its annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks on July 1, 5-10 p.m. at McGuirk Stadium on the campus of UMass Amherst. Festivities will start at 5 p.m. with a fireworks display starting at dark. The rain date for this event will be Saturday, July 8 at the same time and location. This event is free and food, beverage and novelty items will be available for purchase. Parking will be available on site, more details coming soon. Parking will be free but donations are welcome. Restroom facilities will also be available. More details are available at www.amherstmarec.org/fireworks.
Chicopee
The Chicopee fireworks celebration, originally planned for June 24, was postponed due to inclement weather to June 30 at Szot Park. Festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m.
East Longmeadow
East Longmeadow will once again host its annual Fourth of July Parade, starting at 10 a.m. at East Longmeadow High School, moving through the rotary, down North Main Street, Mapleshade Avenue and Elm Street before ending at Birchland Park Middle School.
Immediately prior the parade at 9 a.m., the Freedom Four-Miler road race will take place. Runners will have the opportunity to run along the fan-filled parade streets. The course begins on Maple Street before following side roads to Chestnut Street before heading back toward the center of town on the Redstone Rail Trail. Once off the trail, runners proceed down the parade route on North Main Street and Mapleshade Avenue before finishing on Elm Street. There is a 60-minute cut-off and those who cannot complete the course at that time will be swept off to ensure the route is clear for the parade.
Registration and more information can be found at https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/MA/EastLongmeadow/ELFreedom4Miler. The cost is $35 through July 1, then the price increases. A virtual option is available for $25.
The East Longmeadow Rotary Club will also again be hosting a carnival at Center Field June 30 to July 4.
A fireworks display will take place behind East Longmeadow High School, 180 Maple St., on Monday, July 3, at 9:30 p.m. A concert featuring Trailer Trash, part of the Rotary Club’s summer series, will take place immediately before the fireworks, beginning at 7 p.m.
Enfield
The Enfield Fourth of July Celebration, a three-day celebration at no charge featuring music, a parade, races, demonstrations, kids rides and games, and vendors, will take place July 7-9. Among the highlighted features of the event are the Taste of Enfield, which opens at 5 p.m. on July 7, the Independence Day 5K through Historic Enfield July 8 at 10 a.m., followed by the Independence Day parade at 11 a.m. On July 9, the Mopars in Motion car show will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The celebration culminates with fireworks at 9:45 p.m. For a complete list of events and the concert lineup, visit enfieldcelebration.org.
Holyoke
Holyoke’s July 4 Fireworks Celebration will take place on Friday, June 30, with the rain date of Friday, July 7, on the grounds of Holyoke Community College, located on Homestead Avenue. Before the display, the event will offer music, food, and activities for children. The event begins at 6 p.m., with the fireworks display scheduled to start at dusk. No alcoholic beverages or bottles are allowed on the premises.
Monson
Monson will celebrate the Fourth of July with a parade down Main Street at 10 a.m. The theme for the parade is “Our Town Working Together.” The grand marshals are town of Monson departmental employees. Chestnut Street closes from 8:30-10 a.m. for the parade lineup, and Main Street will close at 9 a.m. Booths at Monson Summerfest at Veteran’s Field, 110 Main St., officially open at 9 a.m., but after the parade, the Summerfest beer garden will open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., bounce houses will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Out of the Ark will be available from 12-2 p.m. Musical performances will be offered by Sarah the Fiddler from 12:30-2:30 p.m. and the James Paul Band from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Summerfest’s June 24 fireworks display was postponed, but as of press time, a new date had not been announced.
Sturbridge
Old Sturbridge Village’s Independence Day festivities, Saturday to Tuesday, July 1-4, will include fife and drum music, cannon demonstrations, games, a parade, and special readings of poetry and the Declaration of Independence. On July 4 at 11 a.m., a citizen naturalization ceremony will take place on the village common. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will present candidates to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and they will pledge their Oath of Allegiance to the United States for the very first time. For more information, including ticketing, visit osv.org/event/independence-celebration.
South Hadley
South Hadley’s Fourth of July fireworks will take place at Michael E. Smith Middle School, 100 Mosier St., on Saturday, July, 1 at 9 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday, July 2. The night of celebration will include food trucks, vendors and various games for children. A live DJ will be in attendance and the South Hadley Community Band will start to play at 8 p.m. Parking is available at Mosier School until 7 p.m. or when the lot fills, St. Theresa’s Church until 7 p.m., and Gorse Lot located at 27 Morgan St. Parking will also be available at Veryl’s Automotive for a fee that is donated to charity. Parking at the middle school is for handicapped and event staff, police and fire personnel only. Being on school property, no tobacco or alcohol are allowed.
Southwick
Southwick’s fireworks display is slated for July 15 at Whalley Park, 42 Powdermill Rd. The event will feature fireworks at dusk, local concessions including the Moolicious ice cream truck, and a DJ playing music.
Springfield
One of the largest and most recognizable events in the region is Star Spangled Springfield, presented by the Spirit of Springfield. Star Spangled Springfield will take place in Riverfront Park from 6-10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4. From 6-8 p.m., there will be face painters and balloon artists. At 7 p.m., there will be welcoming remarks with the national anthem performed by Vanessa Ford. Union Jack, a 60s music British tribute band, will take to the stage at 7:15 p.m., followed by a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. accompanied by music broadcasted on Mix 93.1FM and in Riverfront Park. Food and beverages will be available in the park from 6-9:30 p.m., including Batch Ice Cream and Elegant Affairs with hamburgers, hot dogs, rice with pork and beans, sausage and pepper grinders, water, soda, beer, wine, and more. Officials will be enforcing no alcohol, no smoking, no pets, no bicycles, no skateboards, no roller blades, no drones, no sparklers, and no fireworks in and around Riverfront Park. For more information about Star Spangled Springfield, visit spiritofspringfield.org or contact the Spirit of Springfield at 413-733-3800.
The Springfield Harriers will also host the 46th annual Springfield’s Big Fourth 5K on July 4. The race begins at 9 a.m., with registration preceeding at 8 a.m. Registration is $20 for students 17 and under and $25 for adults who register online through July 1, and $25 and $30, respectively, on race day. More information can be found at harriers.org/BigFourth/information.htm.
Ware
Originally slated for June 24, the fireworks display sponsored by the Ware Lions Club at Grenville Park, 73 Church St., were postponed to Sunday, July 9.
West Springfield
The West Springfield Park & Recreation Department will host the second Family Color Run July 4. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., participants will run a course around the Town Common’s newly refinished path while powdered color is thrown through the air. Shortly after the Color Run, the West Springfield Lions Club will sell concessions for all who wish to stay on the Common for performances from Ed Popielarczyk, Dan Kane & Friends and Soiree.
|
