Vermonters are gearing up for a jam-packed Fourth of July weekend filled with parades, live music, food, family-friendly activities, and fireworks displays from the Northeast Kingdom to Southern Vermont.
From quirky traditions like Bristol’s famous Outhouse Race to lakeside fireworks in Newport, there’s no shortage of patriotic festivities across the Green Mountain State.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening this Independence Day:
July 3 Events:
- Burlington: Vermont’s largest fireworks display lights up the sky over the Lake Champlain waterfront at 9:30 p.m.
- Montpelier: Downtown celebrations begin at 3 p.m. with food trucks, a community parade, live music, and fireworks at sundown.
- North Hero: Fireworks over Lake Champlain at Knight Point State Park, 9 p.m. ($3 entry)
- West Windsor: Festivities kick off at Ascutney Mountain with food, music, and fireworks.
July 4 Events:
- Bennington: Historic readings at the Bennington Battlefield and Battle Monument followed by an evening of music, food, and fireworks at Willow Park.
- Bristol: The quirky, crowd-favorite Great Bristol Outhouse Race starts at 9 a.m. on West Street.
- Essex Junction: Family-friendly fun at Champlain Valley Fairgrounds, with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
- Jay: Evening celebration at Jay Village Inn with food, dancing, and fireworks at dusk.
- Newport: A day packed with a Freedom Run, parade, playground opening, corn hole tournament, and fireworks over the bay at dusk.
- Richmond: Morning fun run and parade, followed by karaoke, live music, and fireworks.
- Saxtons River: Full day of activities including a road race, parade, street fair, and live music.
- Stowe: Day-long celebration with a parade at noon and fireworks at Mayo Fields at dusk.
- Wardsboro: Parade featuring floats, antique cars, and fire trucks at 10 a.m., followed by street fair fun.
- Warren: Parade at 10 a.m. and fireworks at Lincoln Peak at Sugarbush Resort at 9:15 p.m.
- Woodstock: 4th on the Farm at Billings Farm and Museum includes wagon rides, spelling bees, and a historic baseball game.
- South Hero & Grand Isle: Various community celebrations throughout the day.
July 5 Events:
- Brandon: All-day events with a parade, street dance, auctions, and fireworks at dusk.
- Stratton: Extended weekend of live music, eating contests, and fireworks on Saturday at 9 p.m.
- West Windsor: Parade at 1:30 p.m. in Brownsville following community breakfast and line dancing.
Travel Advisory:
Expect busy roads, especially Wednesday through Sunday, as AAA predicts over 3.6 million people will travel by car in the region. Travelers are advised to head home before 11 a.m. Sunday to avoid the worst of the congestion.
On the bright side, Vermont’s gas prices have dipped compared to last year, averaging around $3.14 per gallon.
