Fourth of July Committee

                           Fourth of July Celebration in Amherst Village

The Fourth of July celebration will take place on Friday, July 4 in Amherst Village, with a parade and activities on the Village Green. The parade and activities on the Village Green will only be canceled if there is thunder and lightning. The cancellation would be announced on WMUR. There is no rain date.

Accessible Parking
The BMA Architectural Group parking lot at 12 Middle Street will be available for accessible parking. There is accessible seating on the adjacent lawn facing the reviewing stand on Main Street.

Information
At the Information Tent on the main walkway of the Village Green you will find pertinent information, water sales, and commemorative stickers.

Bathrooms
Bathrooms are available in the Brick School, the Amherst Congregational Church and at PortaPotties, located near Town Hall at the far end of the gravel parking lot to the left of the building.

The Parade and Parade Route
The parade will step off from the Wilkins School at 10am. The parade will then proceed up Boston Post Road, turn right on Foundry Street, left on Davis Lane, left on Main Street and will end at Town Hall. Parade vehicles, other than classic cars and floats, will turn right immediately after the Amherst Town Hall and exit by way of Manchester Road. Classic cars and floats that will be on display will continue around the Village Green to designated parking areas.

Fire Engines
The police and fire departments will lead the parade.

Dignitaries
Each year our state and local leaders are invited to march as New Hampshire Dignitaries. These include State Representatives, State Senators, Executive Counselors, Town Administrators, School Representatives and the Amherst Selectmen.

Citizens of the Year
The Citizens of the Year, riding in cars, will follow the dignitaries.

Classic Cars
Classic cars will assemble from 8:15 to 9:30am on New Boston Road opposite the Wilkins School. Period dress and US flags are encouraged. Award categories to include: Best Overall, Best Pre-WWII car, Best Pre-1968 car, best convertible and best performance car,

Lions Club Bicycle Parade
It’s time for the crepe paper! The children’s bicycle parade will meet at 9:00am, judging will be held at 9:30am and step-off is at 9:45am. Location for the bicycle parade is Knight’s Field, at the beginning of Main Street, two houses away from the library. The parade will travel to Town Hall. State law requires bicycle riders to wear helmets.

American K-9 Country Patriotic Pup Contest
It’s time to dress your pup up in their best patriotic attire! The Patriotic Pup Contest will be held at 9:30 at the green space across from the Brick School. Judging will take place at 9:40 and first, second and third place will be awarded to the most patriotic pups there! First place will be announced as part of the reviewing stand ceremony by a representative from the Amherst Board of Education.

Floats
Organizations with floats this year will include the Amherst Democrats, the Amherst Republicans, the Amherst Garden Club, the Amherst Lions Club and CERT.

The Village Green
Activities at the green will be varied. There will be farm animals located at the Middle Street end of the Village Green. The Pocket Ladies will roam the Green, giving small gifts to children. Crikey the Clown and her clown friends will make balloon animals. Katie will paint faces from 9am-12pm and George will host a magic show at 11:00am

Art Show and Old-Time Craft Demonstrations
Stroll down artist’s alley on the Church side of the Village Green to enjoy the fine art. Old-time craftspeople will include a blacksmith, a beekeeper, spinning, quilting and other local artisans.

Organization Booths
Many local organizations will hold booths on the green where they will have information about their group. Several will also offer unique items for sale. Stop by to support and learn more about the local organizations that are integral to the community.

Food and Drinks
With the help of Moulton’s, the Fourth of July Committee will sell hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza, slushies, and drinks. Messiah Lutheran Church will sell cotton candy and the Lions Club will sell popcorn. *As internet service is spotty, all sales will be cash only.

Water
The Fourth of July Committee will sell water at the Information booth, at a booth next to the ice cream and slush as well as at the food table. *As internet service is spotty, all sales will be cash only.

Reviewing Stand Ceremony
Join us for the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, the Campbell Highlanders will play Amazing Grace and Souhegan Valley Chorus will sing the National Anthem along with other patriotic songs. State and local dignitaries will be introduced, and the Amherst Lions Club President will announce the Citizen of the Year.

Historical Museums
Visit the Historical Society’s Chapel and Wigwam museums, located on Middle Street.

Sponsors
A special thanks to our major sponsors who helped make the event a reality. Thank you to: Moulton’s Kitchen and Market who sponsor the food on the fourth, Ciardelli Fuel who host our propane fundraiser, Elite Fireworks who sponsor the parade, HPM Insurance who sponsor the face painting, and American K-9 Country who sponsor the puppy contest.

Support
Many thanks go to the Town, Schools and Public Works departments that do so much to make the 4th of July celebrations a success. Additional thanks to the Amherst Congregational Church and the Brick School for the use of their restrooms; to Moulton’s Kitchen & Market for organizing and storing the food items, to Rolf Biggers for the use of the BMA Architectural Group lot for accessible parking; to the animal owners and crafts people who give up their day to add to their celebration and to the many volunteers who man booths, march in the parade, make floats or help with the events. So many Amherst people make this a community event to celebrate.

Fourth of July Committee
The Fourth of July Committee is a group of community minded people who give their time and energy to contribute to this celebration. Members include: Deb Polatchek, Lori Ashooh, Tom Darnall, Elizabeth Boskee, Chris Sylvia, Cerise Boston, Katherine Lockwood, George Bower, George Coddington, Rich Ashooh, Nancy Head, Jill Gabert, Rachel Picard, Peter Moran, Terri Behm, Victoria Parisi and many others who helped along the way.