Celebrating the 4th ahead of NQID July 10
June 30, 2021 | By Waterbury Roundabout Waterbury continues its Not Quite Independence Day tradition this year with a celebration planned for July 10. In the meantime this weekend, other communities will mark the holiday on the 3rd and 4th.
In his COVID-19 press briefing on Tuesday, Gov. Phil Scott congratulated Vermonters on responding to the call to get vaccinated against the virus and urged people to celebrate Independence Day with little fear of getting sick.
“This year has an even greater meaning than usual. After 16 long, difficult months dealing with a once-in-a-century crisis and all that came with it, this Fourth of July weekend, vaccinated Vermonters can feel safe celebrating with their friends, attending parades and cookouts, fireworks displays, heading to the lake or state park, or doing just about anything you’d like without having to fear the virus. Why? Because vaccines work,” the governor said. “And we’re the most vaccinated state in America as well as one of the most vaccinated places on the planet.”
Scott said nearly 82% of those eligible for the vaccine have gotten at least one dose by now. He noted that those who are fully vaccinated are also protected against the virus variants that have emerged to date. “You can do all of the things you did before the pandemic without much risk,” he said, noting that the vaccine prevalence benefits even those under age 12 for whom the vaccine has not yet been approved.
“For younger children who aren’t yet eligible, because of our high vaccination rate, it means they’re more protected as well because there is less virus and transmission in the community,” the governor said. “We stayed united. We worked hard and sacrificed a lot to get to this point. And although we still have much more work to do, taking some time for yourself, having some fun, and being safe is something you should take advantage of.”
Here’s a look at various parades and activities this weekend, and plans for Waterbury’s NQID celebration next week.
Warren holds its annual parade and scaled-back July 4 celebration starting with a parade on Main Street at 10 a.m. Lots of free parking is available at the Warren School. File photo by Lisa Scagliotti
JULY 2-3
Williston
Williston’s celebrations will happen Friday, July 2, and Saturday, July 3. The parade is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday along Route 2 through the village from the Johnson Farm to Old Stage Road. The Deb Beckett Memorial 5K Race is at 5 p.m. starting at the Williston Community Park. On-site registration will be available on race day starting at 4 p.m. Fireworks are Saturday also at the park starting at 9:30 p.m. Parking is free and best viewing is behind Williston Central School.
The annual book sale by the Friends of the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library is Friday at the library, 4-7 p.m. (weather dependent) Bring a bag. The Williston Federated Church hosts its Ice Cream Social along with a town band concert on the village green, Friday starting at 7 p.m.
More information online at town.williston.vt.us.
Burlington
Burlington Parks and Recreation is organizing Burlington’s July 3rd Independence Day celebration at Waterfront Park 5:30-10 p.m. with live music and food vendors starting at 5. Performances will include Sambatucada!, Pontoon, Francesca Blanchard. Mayor Miro Weinberger will unveil a COVID-19 memorial at Battery Park at 5 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
Parking is extremely limited near the waterfront. Free parking will be available at UVM’s Gutterson Field House with free shuttle buses running 5-11:30 p.m. Parking at Perkins Pier will be $10. City garages will charge $5 for the day. Local Motion will host a bike parking valet service 5-10 p.m. on Lake Street above Waterfront Park. Burlington harbor will be closed to boat traffic by 8:30 p.m. All vessels including kayaks will need a light on the water after dusk.
Details on events, parking, etc. are online at btvjuly3.com.
Montpelier
Montpelier is not hosting its usual July 3 parade and fireworks this year. From Montpelier Alive: “Our friends at Shidaa Projects (a separate organization who you might recognize from their regular participation in our July 3rd parade), was able to organize a smaller event to take place on July 3rd. We know that it's not the same as our usual celebration, but we hope you attend and enjoy.”
The nonprofit group focused on sharing West African Culture through dance, drumming and cultural education will host drummers, dancers and performers on July 3 on the State House Lawn, 5-8 p.m. The lineup includes Stuart Paton and the Burlington Taiko drummers, Akwaaba Dance Ensemble from Manchester, N.H., Burlington’s Jeh Kulu Drum and Dance Theater, Karl Miller and Z-Jaz team from Montpelier; solo performers include Sara Grace and Jason Mallery from Montpelier. More information: montpelieralive.org.
JULY 4
Stowe
Stowe’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July will include a full day of festivities on the 4th starting with food vendors in Stowe village at 10:30 a.m. through 3 p.m. and live music by Maple Run Band on the village green 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The parade on Main Street is noon-1 p.m.
Evening live music with Abby Sherman and the Way North and food vendors are at the Mayo Events Fields. Parking opens at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Fireworks will begin at dark, approximately 9:30 p.m. Rain date: Monday, July 5.
Spruce Peak plans daylong activities Saturday and Sunday with live music, kids games and activities starting both days at noon. Fireworks Saturday evening. More information online at at gostowe.com.
Also over the weekend, Stowe Cider features live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday by the Joe Cirotti Trio, a string band from North West New Jersey. They will be performing daily from 2-5 p.m. Cost: $5 per group for lawn seating; $10 per group at tables. More information: gostowe.com/events/2021-07-04/
Warren
The Mad River Valley Rotary is organizing Warren’s Fourth of July parade and festivities on the 4th on Main Street in Warren Village from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s parade theme is “Heroes Among Us,” celebrating local essential workers.
Main Street closes at 8:30 a.m. and the parade begins at 10 a.m. A street dance follows around 11:15 a.m. with music from the porch of the Warren Store by Bruce Sklar and his Slarkestra band. No activities this year at Brooks Field or prizes/buddy badges. Free parking is available at the Warren Elementary School. Fireworks at the Sugarbush Resort at Lincoln Peak at dusk. More information online at madrivervalley.com/4th.
JULY 10
Waterbury
Not Quite Independence Day is Saturday, July 10. Usually held on the last Saturday in June and organized by the Waterbury Rotary Club, NQID is later this year as organizers aimed to hold it when state COVID-19 restrictions were expected to be lifted.
The celebration will be held in downtown Waterbury starting with a parade on Main Street at 4 p.m. from the State Office Complex to the railroad bridge near the roundabout. This year's theme is "The Roaring 20s." Live music and food vendors will be set up at Rusty Parker Memorial Park afterward. Fireworks behind the state offices at dusk (9 p.m. or so) should be visible throughout the downtown with parking available in the state parking lot.
More information is online including guidance on spreading out to maintain distance between family groups. See the Rotary Club’s website waterburyvtrotary.org/page/nqid and its Facebook page for more details.
COVID-19 vaccine clinics
Finally, state officials also reminded Vermonters that vaccination opportunities are still numerous and will be available through the holiday weekend. Most do not require an appointment. Pop-up clinics are planned at celebrations including at the Burlington fireworks 5-8 p.m. on Saturday; at the Stowe Independence Day celebration, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday; in Warren at the ambulance station 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
In Waterbury, the Waterbury Ambulance Service will be doing vaccinations at their station on Guptil Road 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday; 9 a.m. to 2 p. m. on Sunday.
Most pharmacies around Vermont are offering vaccinations on a walk-in basis as well. For a list of pop-up clinics and more details on when and where to get a vaccine, visit the Vermont Health Department website.