We asked for sunshine and we got it. We asked for a big, enthusiastic crowd and we got it. We asked for volunteers to give their all and we got it. This 4th of July was one of the best ever! We saw lots of smiles during the parade and all afternoon, and we heard many ohs and ahs during the fireworks which were fabulous this year!
We’d like to give a big thank you to Proctor Academy for their huge amount of support, as well as our other sponsors, for making this year’s celebration possible. Also, thanks to the 41 parade participants! Please do this again next year…our goal is 50 participants. Sixteen children took part in the Children’s Parade. Remember! The Children’s Parade was the beginning of our annual celebration back on July 4, 1942!
This year’s parade winners were:
Animal Category:
First: Mariah Haley with 11 year old Holsteins
Second: The Patriots with their horses and goat
Third: Leslie Silver with his brown, Swiss oxen
Floats:
Grand Prize: East Andover Village Preschool
First Prize: Andover Community Church
Second Prize: Andover Fish & Game Club
Third Prize: Kearsarge Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Antique Vehicles:
First: Tim & Pat Foster with 1966 Cadillac Sedan Deville
Second: Amanda Boisvert with 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle
Third: Roger Gross with 1959 Corvette
Other Vehicles:
First: 4 Wheelers, 4 Andover Kids, Hurlbutt Construction
Second: Jennifer Hicks with 2017 Chevy Camaro
Third: Franklin Footlight Theatre with 2008 Chrysler Aspen
On the Village Green, we had 44 vendors including for-profits and non-profits. A new feature this year was our Activity Tent demonstrations which included leather working, Tai Chi, a drum circle, and karate. Wrapping up the afternoon was Lindsey Schust and the Ragged Mountain Band.
Many thanks again this year to Bob Ward and Steve Smith, our Masters of Ceremonies during the parade.
This year we also set up some activities on Carr Field from 6 PM until the fireworks began; this was to gauge whether there is community interest in re-starting a Midway of years past. It was well received and people had fun. We would like suggestions from the community as to what they would like to see there next year. Feel free to call one of us or make a suggestion on our Facebook page…or fill in the suggestion box on this page and drop it off at the Town office or mail.
To contact us call or email: Doug, phone 977-0037, email: doug.phelps80@nullgmail.com; Donna, phone 735-6131, email: donnafrench@nullcomcast.net; or Beth, phone 455-2882, email: bfrost99@nullicloud.com.
Better yet, come to one or more of our committee meetings. Our next meeting will be on the first Wednesday in October. We’d love to have you attend!
Suggestion Box:
Suggestions for Carr Field Activities on July 4th:
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
***Drop off at Town Office or mail to: Andover 4th of July Committee, PO Box 61, Andover, NH 03216