Those not going home or away this weekend can find plenty of ways to celebrate Independence Day with classmates and friends in the Upper Valley and beyond.
On Sunday, July 4, the town of Hanover will hold its 12th annual Hanover Old-Fashioned Fourth of July. Festivities will include a parade, starting at 10 a.m. and departing from Thompson Arena. The parade will kick off with a speech from Master of Ceremonies Hank Tenney, followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the performance of the Star Spangled Banner. World War II veteran Everett Woodman '39 will also speak.
The town of Hanover will feature live entertainment throughout the day starting at 10:50 a.m.
The Green should serve as the center of much of the day's activity: a variety of games begin at 11 a.m., including an egg toss, potato sack race, wheelbarrow race and three-legged race. There will also be a petting zoo all day on the Green.
Although Hanover is not planning any fireworks, nearby Lebanon will ignite its display at 9:30 p.m. on July 4, following a variety of bands slated to perform throughout the afternoon on the Lebanon Green. Fireworks will be shot off from the ski hill and may be viewed from the Lebanon Green. Officials expect a turnout of more than one thousand people for the afternoon music and 20-minute fireworks display.
Similar events will fill the streets of Lyme, N.H., on Saturday with a parade around the town commons. "It's very quaint and charming," one Lyme official said.
Following the parade, the crowd moves to the Post Pond recreation area, where there will be a barbecue dinner preceding the fireworks display, which begins at dusk. Town officials said they hoped for a turnout of around 400 people and noted that parking is available in the nearby ball field.
According to the Town Manager's Office in Norwich, Vt., there are no events planned there for the July 4 weekend, but there will be a fireworks display next weekend as part of the Norwich town fair.
Those who want to get away from campus can take advantage of several trips campus groups have organized. The '06 Class Council has planned a day trip Saturday to Old Orchard Beach, Maine. There is room for 56 people who will be able to enjoy the beach, water park, shopping malls and myriad other activities.
"We really want to fill the bus for a trip to Old Orchard in Maine the day before the Fourth of July. We hope to get '06s together for a fantastic day at the beach -- something people will remember about our sophomore summer," said Class of 2006 President Ben Schwartz.
The Dartmouth Outing Club will also be running trips this weekend to celebrate July 4. Almost all beginner trips conclude at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge for the annual July 4 dinner. Trips include rock climbing, hiking, kayaking and canoeing.
