Fourth of July
Preparations
Everywhere

Final preparations were being made all across the White River Valley this week for a mid-week Fourth of July, which takes place next Wednesday.

The details on Randolph’s event may be found in the special supplement created by the Chamber of Commerce in this week’s Herald.

The unusual feature this year is that the parade route is being changed, due to the construction of the Main Street Bridge, which has disabled the use of Prince Street as a bypass for emergency equipment.

As a result, the parade, after it marches down the hill to Depot Square, will turn left on Salisbury Street and then make its way to Summer Street, and thus to School Street, where it will disband.

Several streets will be closed to through traffic just before and during the parade: Fales Street, Church Street, Salisbury Street, Summer Street, School Street, Franklin Street, Weston Street and Main Street from the gazebo to Merchants’ Row. Local traffic will be permitted on those streets, however.

In addition, parking will not be allowed between 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Kelley Way and Fales, Franklin, Salisbury, Summer, and parts of School Street. The municipal parking lot is, as usual, closed for post-parade events.

The theme of this year’s parade is "Where the Arts and Community Meet," in honor of the 100th birthday of Chandler Music Hall. It’s hoped that the theme will inspire a lot of creativity in the floats.

The holiday celebration actually starts Tuesday, July 3 with the fireworks at its usual location on the Stock Farm Road, courtesy of the Randolph Fire Department.

Wednesday will start with Kimball Library’s annual book sale at 9 a.m.

After the 10 a.m. parade, the celebration continues at the municipal parking lot with food vendors and entertainment, including a steel drum band, a storyteller and a clogging troupe. There also will be the third annual Chili Challenge, to be tested by the community.

The eighth annual duck race is at 2 p.m. at the playground, to raise money to send children to Conservation Camp.

Music & More

Through the rest of the week, the focus will shift to two performing venues—Chandler Music Hall and the Green Mountain Stock Farm.

At Chandler the annual youth musical production will be on the stage Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings plus a Sunday matinee. The musical this year is "Brigadoon," and features an all-star cast of more than 100 teens and even younger youth.

The first Randolph performance of "Brigadoon" was in 1971 under the direction of John Jackson and helped to begin the renovation and reuse of the Music Hall.

On Saturday July 7, the Stock Farm plays host once again to the annual performance of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, a gala event that features picnicking starting at 5 p.m., with the Orchestra concert in the open air starting at 7:30.

Fireworks conclude the evening, to the strains of the "1812 Overture."

Of special note: Children and students under 18 will be admitted free if they obtain a ticket prior to the concert. Contact the stock farm at 728-5575 or 800-424-5575.

In case of rain, the event will be held at the high school.

In Rochester

Meanwhile in Rochester, the holiday begins with a tennis tournament from 8-10 a.m.

The parade up Route 100 kicks off at 11 a.m. There will be floats, vintage cars, riding, walking and musical entries starting by the cemetery, past a panel of judges in front of the Park house, and around the park.

The theme is "In the good old summertime."

The Route 100 Lions Club will serve their popular annual chicken barbecue at 12 noon on the park.

Also on the park, there will be the traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence by Marvin Harvey, plus live music and games for children.