Plans are just about complete, and all involved are working hard to make this Fourth of July celebration the best.
There is a full day of activities, starting with the Andover Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at AE/MS. After breakfast, you can pop over to the Village Green and explore all the treasures that are for sale at the flea market.
The Firecracker 5K footrace gets underway at 8 AM for those who need a good run to work off those pancakes. Ceremonies on the Village Green begin at 10 AM with the Scouts raising the new flag; the invocation; and the National Anthem.
Music All Day
We are very excited to be offering music throughout the day. The morning begins with the Kearsage Community Band, followed by the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast’s High Altitude rock band. The New Hampshire Pipes and Drums band starts off the afternoon, followed by the Long Tail Monkeys and ending with the Fontones.
You can try your golf skills at the Closest to the Pin Drive held in the morning at Carr Field.
The Andover Road Relics Car Show begins at 9 AM at the Pizza Chef parking lot on Main Street. They have a number of activities planned. Our thanks to this group for volunteering to put out and pick up the trash barrels on the Village Green. We had three people answer our plea for volunteers, but we still need more for parking , parade line-up, and to train as parade chair.
Parade at Noon
The parade starts at noon with the Color Guard, Uncle Sam, the Bektash Band, the New Hampshire Pipes and Drums band, the Andover Lions’ Concord Coach, Leapin’ Lena, Captain Morrill’s Company, and we hope lots of floats, cars, and animals.
Remember, our parade theme is “Summertime.” The prize money for theme floats is $100 for first place, $75 for second place, $50 for third, and $25 for fourth. Prize money for vehicles and animals in the parade is $50 for first place, $30 for second, and $20 for third.
Parade registration form are available at AndoverBeacon.com/Fourth-2014; at Town Hall; or at parade registration on the Fourth. It is helpful if you get your registration in ahead of time. All vehicles in the parade have to have insurance, and any children under 18 need to have a registration form signed by a parent or guardian.
Judging for the parade is from 10 to 11 AM, and line-up begins at 11 AM. We have a lot of entries, and it takes a while to get them all in order.
The Children’s Parade meets at 11 AM in front of the ProClaim building on Main Street. They will be judged, and prizes and ribbons awarded. They will have registration forms available.
Shortly after the music ends on the Village Green there will be a championship softball game on Corson Field.
Donations
We are still accepting donations, but the deadline for the program is Sunday, June 1. We are also raffling a beautiful red, white, and blue quilt (72″ x 80″) made by Rose Tilton and quilted by Linda Barnes of The Constant Quilter. You may call Irene Haley, Wanda Smith, Doug Phelps, Irene Jewett, Bob Ward, Beth Frost, or Judy Perreault for tickets. They will also be on sale on the Fourth.
The fireworks this year will be Saturday, July 5, at dusk. There are good views from behind the AE/MS and Carr Field.
For flea market space on the Village Green, contact Doug Phelps at 802 310-1045 or DPhelps@nullus.ibm.com. For questions about the parade, call Judy Perreault at 735-5493. For any other questions, call committee chair Bob Ward at 735-5061.