Happy Birthday America 2015

Happy Birthday America

Hard to believe it is almost the 4th of July! What’s going on in Appleseed Country you ask? Plenty!

The festivities begin with Civic Days in downtown Fitchburg starting on June 29th and lasting until the 4th of July! The first event is the 53rd Longsjo Classic Bicycle Race. A time-honored, classic American cycling event, the Longsjo is a community celebration of cycling, fitness, and health. Established in 1960 in memory of 2-time Olympian Art Longsjo, the event commemorates the life and achievements of a remarkable athlete and person who left his mark on the Fitchburg community and generations of cycling fans. More than 700 racers are expected to compete on the roads and streets that are icon of American cycling. Visit www.longsjo.com for up-to-date details.

Next up for Civic days is the Doll Carriage and Bicycle Parade at Riverfront Park, off Route 12 in downtown Fitchburg on Sunday the 29th from 11am-2pm. Kids are invited to decorate their vehicles for this pre-4th of July parade. There will be activities, games and a jump-house for the kids. Following the parade from 3-6, it’s the Chicken BBQ. Enjoy chicken, hamburgers and hotdogs, and listen to the Fitchburg Military Band playing patriotic tunes. And don’t forget to stay afterwards for the Annual Amazing Duck Race at 6pm! Cheer your rubber ducky on to victory on the Nashua River! A single duck is $5 and a flock is 5/$20. Prizes: 1st place: $1,000; 2nd: $500 3rd: $250; 4th: four Red Sox tickets; and more. Get duck forms at www.fitchburgcivicdays.net or on the day of the event.

On Saturday the 5th from 5pm-11pm, it’s the Block Party on Main Street, Fitchburg. Start your 4th of July celebration as Fitchburg celebrates its 250th anniversary with music, dancing, antique cars, food and more and then stick around for the fireworks at 10pm! Flying from the top of Rollstone Hill, the city’s fireworks display will be visible from many vantage points, including Main Street’s block party.

And the final Civic Days event will be the Fourth of July Parade on Summer Street and Main Street, Fitchburg on the 4th at 10am. The city celebrates the 4th and its 250th anniversary with a spectacular parade, floats, firetrucks, bands, antique cars, clowns and so much more!

For more information about any of the Civic Days events listed above, visit www.fitchburgcivicdays.net or call 978-829-1801.

Another way to celebrate the 4th is with the Town of Harvard Fireworks at Fruitlands on Wednesday, July 2nd starting at 5pm. Once again, enjoy an old fashioned Independence Day celebration with bands, food and fireworks at dusk. Raindate is July 5. For more information, visit www.fruitlands.org.

For those wanting to go back to the roots of this wonderful nation, come to the Reading of the Declaration of Independence at First Church on Templeton Common, Routes 2A and 101, Templeton on the 4th at noon. Hear local residents and elected officials read the document that launched this nation in a historic church set on a traditional New England common. Enjoy an ice cream social on the common after the reading.

On the 5th starting at 12:30pm, it’s the Independence Day Celebration in Pepperell. There will be a parade from the Town Hall to the VFW starting at 12:30 with fireworks at dusk. For more information, visit pepperell4thofjuly.org.

Also on the 5th, it’s the Ayer 4th of July Celebration at Pirone Park. Ayer hosts a top quality Fourth of July including a parade, Family Fun at Pirone Park followed by one of the best fireworks show in Central Mass! Fireworks start at 9:15pm.

Groton has fireworks on July 7th this year at 9:30pm at 99 Main St. The entertainment, food, and fun starts at 6:00 pm!

And last but not least, Clinton has fireworks on July 12th with a raindate of the 13th. This year’s display will again be held at the Clinton Veterans Athletic Complex, across from Clinton Middle School and Clinton High School.
We hope you have a wonderful 4th of July this year!