Doug Phelps, the Fourth of July Committee President, wrote in an email on July 5, “What a spectacular day! The Fourth of July Committee did it again!! With a little help from Mother Nature and a lot of planning the event was a total success. The Pancake Breakfast, the kids games, the inflatables, the food, the vendors, the amazing parade (the Coach too!), the expert commentary from the reviewing stand, as well as maintaining a presence on our Facebook page, all added up to make it a day to remember.”
The Fourth of July in Andover is rich with tradition and draws in thousands of people from neighboring communities and beyond. This year, Mother Nature was kind enough to keep the rain away and presented us with a day filled with sunshine.
The day began bright and early with breakfast in the AE/MS gymnasium. Some remarkable community volunteers worked the pancake breakfast and served nearly 300 people in three hours.
The Town Green was bustling with vendors selling everything from jewelry to snowcones. Judy Perreault and Betty Adams organized a profitable and diverse raffle. By the end of the day, nearly all winners were contacted and items picked up.
Steve Smith and Jason Wood, once again, did a fantastic job on the grandstand.The parade was bigger and better than ever! Donna Smith’s efforts to secure parade participants and organize the procession do not go unnoticed. This year onlookers were dazzled by incredible bands, floats, and a variety of organizations.
Crowd favorites included Leapin’ Lena, The Concord Coach, and Shriners mini-cars high-fiving patrons along the route. The theme of Christmas in July was a hit and the judging for parade prizes was difficult. However, votes were cast and the prizes were awarded to:
Floats
Super Grand Prize, John Judkins & The McLeods
Grand Prize, Freedom Farm #1
1st Prize, East Andover Village Preschool
2nd Prize, Andover Fish & Game Club
3rd Prize, Andover Outing Club
Antique Vehicles
1st Prize, Mike French (1964 Chevelle)
2nd Prize, Lisa Braley (1930 Model A Coupe)
3rd Prize, Ben Turner (1939 Ford Pickup)
Other Vehicles
1st Prize, Santa’s Favorite Heathens (Julie Bisson), 4-wheelers & dirt bikes
2nd Prize, Andover Wheelie Kids (Billyjack Braley & Bentley Poulin)
3rd Prize, Franklin Elks Riders #1280
Animals
1st Prize, The Misfits of Christmas
You’re Never Too Old to Believe
Danbury Flying Yankees 4-H
2nd Prize, Katie Nugent riding Addie
3rd Prize, A Victorian Christmas
The day ended with a fireworks display that lit up Carr Field for nearly an hour. Never in the history of fireworks in Andover have we been treated to such an incredible pyrotechnic show!
Thank you to the Fourth of July Committee for all of your hard work and dedication, to our police and fire/EMT services, to Proctor Academy, to the volunteers who do so much to ensure this event goes smoothly, and to our community and beyond for coming out and supporting vendors and making this day so special. We are already beginning to plan for next year!