Celebrate the Arrival of Summer

These cheerful figures are celebrating the 4th of July too.

Vermont's summers kick off with our Independence Day celebrations statewide. You'll find parades down main street, festivities on town greens, spectacular fireworks, food, fun, and much more.

Northern Vermont

East Burke - July 2 - Vermont Fourth Barbecue & Fireworks
Head to Burke Mountain for fireworks display, chairlift rides, live music, delicious barbecue and more. www.skiburke.com

Burlington — July 3 - Independence Day Waterfront Celebration
For a spectacularly beautiful setting and a memorable Independence Day Celebration, plan to be on Burlington’s waterfront for a special  evening.  Activities and entertainment begin at Waterfront Park at 5:30 p.m.  Fireworks on the Waterfront start at 9:30 p.m. There are many restaurants with outdoor seating in the general vicinity, so plan on taking in the local food scene before or after the festivities. www.enjoyburlington.com
To add to the experience, you may want to take the Burlington Fireworks Train to the event. The train departs from south of Burlington at Charlotte, Shelburne and South Burlington, and of course makes a return trip after the fireworks. www.rails-vt.com

Shelburne — July 4 - The Vermont Symphony Orchestra at Shelburne Farms
The 2011 TD Bank Summer Festival Tour Symphony Royale provides music fit for a king…or for a summer evening in Vermont! Handel’s fireworks begin the program and Northstar’s fireworks conclude it, in this musical homage to royalty.  The noble procession includes Scheherazade’s Kalendar prince, the King and Queen of Troy, and the King of Siam. In honor of Independence Day, we celebrate our freedom from monarchical rule with American’s own version of royalty, Duke Ellington!  The performance is crowned, as always, by the majestic 1812 Overture and selections from Sousa, the March King. Gates open at 5:15 p.m. for picnicking and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. www.shelburnefarms.org/ or www.vso.org

Moscow - July 4 - World’s Shortest July 4th Parade
Moscow’s parade is billed as the world's shortest July 4th parade. Local radio stations provide marching music, and the parade goes up to the end of town, turns around, and marches back again! You can (barely) catch it starting at 10 a.m. on July 4.

Stowe - July 4 - Independence Day Celebration
A multi-dimensional day-long extravaganza of food, music, entertainers, and events. Face painting, politicians dunking booth, pet parade, magicians, clowns, balloons, and a Main Street sidewalk sale. Following this is an events field carnival at the Mayo Farm and Stowe’s incredible annual fireworks display.  www.gostowe.com.

Central Vermont

Montpelier - July 3 - Independence Day Celebration
Festivities throughout downtown Montpelier include a pancake breakfast, pool party at Montpelier Rec Department, Montpelier Mile road race, street dances and performances on the State House Lawn, gigantic parade, and fireworks.
www.mdca.org.

Brandon - July 4 - Brandon Independence Day Celebration
The Brandon Independence Day Celebration celebrates the Fourth of July with music, activities, parade, and fireworks at dusk. The July 4th parade and activities take place in downtown Brandon and the fireworks at Park Village. www.brandon.org.

Killington - July 4 - Celebration & Fireman’s BBQ 
Killington's Fourth of July Celebration and Fireman's barbecue is one of their most popular events of the summer. Bring a picnic blanket and be prepared to stay all day long. The day’s events include a parade from the Killington Events Hall down River Road to the Johnson Recreation Center, firemen’s barbecue, silent auction starting at noon, field day events for kids, belly flop contest, live music, and fireworks. Location: Herbert I. Johnson Recreation Center on River Road.  www.killingtontown.com.

Warren - July 4 - Warren Fourth of July Celebration
Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the wild and wacky parade, known far and wide for its entertaining surprises. It's party time the rest of the day too with music, dancing and plenty of food and drink. Fireworks at dusk at Sugarbush Resort. www.warren4thofjuly.com.

Southern Vermont

Grafton — July 3 - The Vermont Symphony Orchestra at Grafton
The 2011 TD Bank Summer Festival Tour Symphony Royale provide music fit for a king…or a summer evening in Vermont! Handel’s fireworks begin the program and Northstar’s fireworks conclude it, in this musical homage to royalty.  The noble procession includes Scheherazade’s Kalendar prince, the King and Queen of Troy, and the King of Siam. In honor of Independence Day, we celebrate our freedom from monarchical rule with American’s own version of royalty, Duke Ellington!  The performance is crowned, as always, by the majestic 1812 Overture and selections from Sousa, the March King.  www.graftonmusicfestival.com/ or www.vso.org

Wardsboro - July 3 and 4 - Street Fair and Fourth of July Parade
Southern Vermont’s oldest Independence Day celebration happens again along Main Street and is followed by a vibrant street fair with 50 vendors. Other events include a library book sale, chicken BBQ, pie and strawberry shortcake sale, and quilt show.

Plymouth Notch – July 4 - Commemoration of the Birth of Calvin Coolidge
For a quiet celebration, join in the observances of the birthday of the only President born on Independence Day. Join an informal parade to walk with the National Guard and great and great-great grandchildren of President Coolidge through the village preserved as it was in the early 1900s. A simple ceremony will take place at the grave (including the laying of a wreath sent by President Obama.) This will be followed by a barbeque chicken dinner and the opportunity to visit the Calvin Coolidge Homestead, barns and “summer White House.” www.calvin-coolidge.org/ and www.historicvermont.org
That evening, to round out the day with evening excitement,  you may want to see the Fireworks at Hawk Resort in nearby Plymouth. www.hawkresort.com

Woodstock – July 4 - Old Vermont 4th at Billings Farm & Museum
Enjoy a patriotic family celebration featuring the reading of the Declaration of Independence, historic debates, wagon rides, making 1890 flags, a spelling bee, an egg toss, and lots more... Billings Farm & Museum is one of Vermont premier attractions, and offers the opportunity to experience a working dairy farm and many of Vermont’s rural traditions. www.billingsfarm.org

Poultney - July 4 - Fourth of July Celebration
An all-day affair kicking off with a 5K fun run at 8 a.m. (on-site registration begins at 6:45 a.m.), followed by a parade in East Poultney at 10 a.m., and winding down to food, field events, and fireworks at the the Poultney Elementary School. Big acts to look for this year include the Catamount Bagpipes and the Curbstone Chorus. Family entertainment includes magic shows, face painting, balloon art and puppets. www.poultneyvt.com/4th-of-july-celebration-3/.

Manchester Center - July 4 - Fourth of July Celebration
This event includes a 5K Fun Run, food, music, demonstrations, soccer game and fireworks. www.manchestervermont.net.

David Heath, Snow Maker

Follow Us
Facebook Twitter VermontVacation Subscribe to YouTube - VermontVacation Vermont Flickr Vermont on google+
Stay in Touch
Envelope Icon Our e-newsletter is the perfect way to keep up with what's going on in Vermont. See Sample.
Free Vacation Packet
 Request Vermont Vacation Package Get the most out of your trip to Vermont. Request your free travel guide or view it online today.