July 4 Events

In Rt. 100 Valley

Both Rochester and Granville will be the site of celebrations of our nation’s birthday this Saturday, July 4. Below is a list of events planned:

•Registration for the second annual Pierce Hall Community Center Independence Day Dash, a 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) running race and walking event, begins at 7:45 a.m. at Rochester School. Both races begin at 8:30 a.m., and proceeds from registration fees benefit the Pierce Hall Community Center restoration project. For more information, call George Moltz at 767-4824.

•The annual tennis tournament organized by Cynthia Fowles begins at 8 a.m. at the Rochester town tennis courts. Spectators are welcome. For more information about the tournament, call 767-9864.

•The big parade up Route 100 will step off at 11 a.m., with horses, floats, walking entries, and lots more, ending up around the Rochester park.

•The Route 100 Lions Club will serve up its famous chicken barbecue on the Rochester park, following the parade.

•Vendors from the Rochester Farmers Market will be on the park, and there will also be a reading of the Declaration of Independence, the Quintown Puzzle Project display, live music played by a band of local jam musicians, and games for kids.

•The Rochester Historical Society Museum will be open above the library.

•Beginning at 5 p.m. on the fields of Airport Flats on Route 100 in Granville, the Granville Volunteer Fire Dept. will present games, crafts, a farmers’ market, barbecued foods and more, with fireworks around 10 p.m. There will also be a raffle drawing.

For more information about Fourth of July events in Granville, call Danial Sargeant at 767-3027.

For more information about Fourth of July events in Rochester call Martha Slater at 767-3025 or Joanne McDonnell at 767-4701.