Spectacular! That’s the word for this year’s Andover Fourth of July celebration! Spectacular weather, spectacular parade, spectacular festival on the Village Green, spectacular races, spectacular ball games, and of course, spectacular fireworks!
The Andover Lions Club pancake breakfast was again a success, with a line forming all the way out the door, waiting for all those spectacular pancakes! We hope you had a chance to catch up with fellow citizens there, especially ones you hadn’t seen in awhile.
We had 50 booths on the Village Green this year, with all the vendors doing a brisk business. Some of the attractions included old-fashioned engines, crafts and games for the kids, even a karate demonstration. And who can forget the spectacular food and drinks, all capped off with music from 10:30 AM to 9 PM?
The Fourth of July Committee was delighted to present our dedication to Shirley Currier this year for her never-ending dedication and energy throughout her many years as a committee member.
As noted earlier, the parade was spectacular, with the theme being American Heroes, and, let’s face it, all those who participated were certainly heroes in our book. The following is the list of parade winners:
Vehicles
First Prize: 1919 Ford Model T, owned by Dennis Ordway. Second Prize: 1956 Ford Thunderbird, owned by Lois and Bill Porter. Third Prize: 1959 Corvette, owned by Roger and Virginia Gross. Fourth Prize: 1929 Ford, owned by Lulo and Lady Franklin.
Animals
First Prize: Just Plain Andy (a horse), owned by Adam Barry and Fran Davis. Second Prize: Spooner (a horse), owned by Lynn Braley. Third Prize: Mini Mae (a horse) owned by Delaney Young, Morgaine Harvey, and Blaire Hinds.
Floats
First Prize: East Andover Village Preschool. Second Prize: Captain Morrill’s. Third Prize: Andover Fish and Game Club. Fourth Prize: VFW Truck.
Kids Parade
Parade Theme: First Prize: Bria and Adalyn Tremblay, “Amelia Earhart.” Second Prize: Brayden Carr, “Astronaut.” Third Prize: Addison Bickford, “Nurse.”
Creative: First Prize: Rose Robertson, “Ballerina.” Second Prize: Oliver Dickinson, “Spiderman.”
Most Patriotic: First Prize: Lyndsey and Christyna Lee in a Barbie car. Second Prize: Noah and Jack Welles on bicycles. Third Prize: Audrey Leith on a bicycle. Fourth Prize: Julia Demers on a bicycle.
Fireworks: Best Ever
This was our second year having the fireworks launched from Proctor Ski Area. We appreciate Proctor letting us use their facility. Carr Field was a full house for what many have commented was the best fireworks display ever!
If you agree that this year’s celebration was spectacular, wait until next year, our 75th anniversary of the Andover Fourth of July celebration!
All of this would not be possible without our advertisers and generous donors. Let’s also not forget the many volunteers who give their time working behind the scenes to make this event happen year after year. A few examples are Jim Henderson and the Road Relics, who set up and take down the barrels and haul away the trash after the event; Steve Smith, co-Master of Ceremonies along with our committee chair, Bob Ward; Toby Locke, who has set up the reviewing stand for us for at least the past 20 years!
This event is touched by many people beyond the committee, who step up every year to help make this a success. Thanks to you all!
The committee would love more volunteers to share in the fun. We really do have a good time together getting everything ready for one of Andover’s most prized events. If you are interested, call Doug Phelps at 802 310-1045 or Bob Ward at 398-1152.