A circus + Independence Day fun within easy reach of Waterbury
July 2, 2023 | By Lisa Scagliotti The Warren July 4 parade has been a tradition in the Mad River Valley for some 74 years. It begins at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
UPDATE: This post was updated to add in details for the July 4 Moscow parade in Stowe.
With Waterbury’s 2023 Not Quite Independence Day in the rearview mirror, local residents might be looking a little farther afield for some July 4 celebrations. Below are details for celebrations in Montpelier, Burlington, Warren, Stowe, Richmond and Williston.
Waterbury hosts Circus Smirkus July 4-5-6
Circus Smirkus comes to Waterbury July 4-5-6 at Farr’s Field. Courtesy image
First, know that the big attraction in Waterbury will be Circus Smirkus with five shows July 4-5-6 at Farr’s Field. It’s the first year the iconic Vermont youth circus will pitch its big top tent in Waterbury. Its Central Vermont venue for years has been the campus of Montpelier High School but recent changes to the site prompted the circus to look for a new location and Waterbury fit the bill.
The circus plans shows all three days at 6 p.m. as well as matinee shows at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, July 5-6. Tickets are $20 for kids ages 2-12 and $35 for ages 13 and up. Buy in advance online at smirkus.org.
In addition, the circus relies on community volunteers in each of their show locations to assist with important tasks such as handing out programs, taking tickets, directing parking and ushering. Many openings are still available for the Waterbury performances. Sign up online at smirkus.org/whoswhoboard/volunteer. The circus also has a homestay program for local residents to host Smirkus performers. More information is on the circus website under Big Top Tour with a contact email address to find out more about whether hosts are still needed.
July 3 & 4 in Williston
Williston stretches its Independence Day events out over several days. The Williston Observer newspaper has a full schedule online.
The Dorothy Alling Memorial Library’s Annual Book Sale is a tradition this time of year. That’s open on July 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Williston Central School. It continues on Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There’s also an Ice Cream Social and Town Band Concert at 6:30 p.m. on the Village Green on Monday.
Tuesday, July 4, has a full schedule of activities including the parade at 10 a.m. on U.S. Route 2/Williston Road from Johnson’s Farm to Old Stage Road. Afterward, activites will be set up on the Village Green including food and beverages and informational and activity booths by community organizations. The Williston Historical Society and the Williston Fire Department have open houses planned.
The evening celebration is 6-9 p.m. at Village Community Park with food trucks, live music, a photo booth and a 9-hole mini-golf course set up. Fireworks will happen around 9:20 p.m. There are free shuttles planned to circulate beween the park and several parking locations as well.
More information online at The Williston Observer.
July 3: Burlington & Montpelier
Both Burlington and Montpelier hold their Independence Day celebrations on July 3.
Burlington
Burlington’s events happen at Waterfront Park from 5 to 11 p.m. Live music includes the bands Sambucatada (familiar to Waterbury from the River of Light Lantern Parade) and The Motts. Food vendors will be set up and there will be family-friendly activities.
This year Burlington adds a drone light show at 9:30 p.m. with fireworks immediately following at approximately 9:40 p.m. with Lake Champlain as a backdrop. For more information, visit online at btvjuly3.com.
Montpelier
The capital city’s largest festival of the year happens mainly along State Street from 3 to about 10 p.m. with additional events around town.
The Food Truck Festival and the FamilyFest on the State House Lawn begin at 3 p.m. The program includes a bouncy house, drummers, music, food trucks and more. At 6 p.m., the Montpelier Mile Road Race leads into the parade at 6:15 p.m. Afterwards, Chad Hollister’s band is the headliner until the fireworks show at dusk.
Elsewhere around town during the day, multiple venues will host live music; admission is free at the Vermont Historical Society Museum with several new exhibits including one on President Calvin Coolidge; it’s free admission at the city swimming pool as well.
More details and a full schedule are online at montpelieralive.com.
July 4: Warren, Stowe, Richmond
Warren & Sugarbush
Warren’s parade has entries from groups around the Mad River Valley. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
It’s Warren’s 74th Fourth of July parade and the theme this year is “The Sounds of Freedom.” Warren also happens to be on the flyover itinerary for the Vermont Air National Guard’s F-35s on Tuesday.
Grand Marshals are Harwood Union High School music educators past and present including Chris Rivers, who has just begun retirement after more than three decades leading Harwood’s Music Department.
Parade begins with a cannon boom at 10 a.m. Ahead of that, Main Street is closed to traffic starting at 8:30 a.m. Satellite parking with free shuttle buses is available at Lincoln Peak at Sugarbush ski area from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Buddy Badge tradition continues for $1 where parade-goers can seek and find another with the same badge number for prizes. Music, food, dancing, and family friendly activities will be held at Brooks Field at Warren Elementary School immediately following the parade. Fireworks are planned for around 9 p.m. at Lincoln Peak at Sugarbush.
Check out the details online at madrivervalley.com/4th. In addition, Sugarbush has a full schedule of holiday activities July 2-4. Find those details online at sugarbush.com.
Stowe
Yes, Moscow still does its morning parade on the 4th. It’s scheduled for 10 a.m sharp. Stowe Police say Moscow Road will be closed from about 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. between River Road and Barrows Road.
A little later, Mountain Road (Vermont 108) and Main Street will be closed from approximately 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the parade that’s part of the town’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July. Much like other festivities around Vermont, the day includes a run on the Stowe Recreation Path at 11 a.m., the parade on Main Street from noon to 1 p.m. It begins at 10:30 a.m. with food vendors, live music (11 a.m. to noon and then 1-2 p.m.) on the Village Green.
Evening activities including live music, hayrides and food, start at 6 p.m. at Mayo Fields. Fireworks at dusk cap off the day.
More information online at gostowe.com.
Richmond: Fun Run, Parade, Bands, Food, Fireworks
Richmond’s July 4 parade begins shortly after 10:30 a.m. Courtesy photo
Richmond plans to pack in a full schedule on the 4th starting with a Fun Run at 10:30 a.m. that begins at Camels Hump Middle School. The parade sets off just minutes later from Harrington’s to Farr Road.
Music, activities and food follow at the bandstand and park at Volunteers Green on Bridge Street.
The Community Band starts off the program at noon with four other bands following at 1:30, switching every hour. A karaoke contest is scheduled for 6 p.m. and fireworks at dusk.
For more information, visit facebook.com/richmondparade.