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For most people, Independence Day is synonymous with fireworks -- but if your town is without fireworks, where can you go to get the most bang for your holiday?
With the Fourth of July falling on a Wednesday this year, several communities have moved their celebrations to the weekend. Here's a roundup of the festivities that may not fall on the Fourth, but are definitely intended to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Auburn
Auburn will hold its 50th annual Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, June 30 at Lemansky Park throughout the day. A parade begins at 11 a.m. from Bryn Mawr Avenue to Lemansky Park, followed by speeches at the park at noon and a Civil War re-enactment at 12:15 p.m.
Music, field games, an antique car show, pony rides and food vendors will be at the field throughout the day. The festivities end with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Grafton
The U.S. Air Force Band performs on Grafton Common on Tuesday, July 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
On July 4, Silver Lake Beach will host the second annual Silver Lake Regatta, noon to 2 p.m., where children bring their homemade recyclable floats to compete. There is a division for small, non-rideable crafts, open to all ages and a second division for large rideable crafts open to those 8 and up.
Leicester
Celebrate the Fourth of July on the Leicester Town Common with a traditional old fashioned band concert on July 4, 7 to 9 p.m. The Leicester Town Band consists of members of the Leicester High School Band as well as alumni.
Holden
Holden does not have fireworks, but next door in Rutland, the fireworks will go off at Memorial Field at 9:20 p.m.
Millbury
The Millbury Lions Club is sponsoring the annual fireworks at Windle Field, 33 Canal St., on both July 3 and July 4. Fireworks start popping around 9:30 p.m.
Northbridge
Free Summer Sounds, the summer concert series sponsored by Alternatives, Inc., begins Friday, June 29 at 6 p.m. with the Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band. The concert will end in time for the town's fireworks at Lasell Field on Linwood Avenue, sponsored by the Northbridge Fire Department.
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury will hold its annual Fourth of July celebration on July 4 at Dean Park, noon to 4 p.m. There will be music, food and inflatable amusements. A doll carriage and bike parade will be held at 12:30 p.m.
Southborough
The Southborough Library will hold its annual Fourth of July parade on Thursday, June 28 at 11 a.m. Children are invited to march in the parade, which runs from the library to the Town House. Flags and other accessories are provided.
Westborough
Westborough kicks off its Fourth celebrations with a downtown block party on Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The celebration takes place on West Main Street between Church Street and the rotary.
Children's events include a dunk tank, sand art, photo booth, pony rides and more.
Music will be provided by oldies band The Reminisants and the Westboro Community Band, which will perform patriotic music along with works by Frank Sinatra and John Williams, among others. Food, including pizza, sausages, steak tips, burgers and more will be for sale from Papa Gino's, Tavolino Restaurant, Juniper Farms, Outback Steakhouse and Dean's Concessions.
Worcester
The city's Independence Day celebration is on Tuesday, July 3 at East Park on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester. The park will open at 6 p.m. with Kids Korner activities and food vendors. A ceremonial flag raising at 7:45 p.m. will be followed by a performance of the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. Fireworks are planned for 9:30 p.m.
Rain date is Thursday, July 5.
Comments (1)
Hi-I read that the Worcester fireworks can be seen in Shrewsbury. Can anyone tell me where some good viewing spots are?
Thanks