Events by Date

Events by Town

Bakersfield

Spirits run high at a community celebration complete with a parade, chicken barbecue, air show, cow-plop contest and fireworks at dusk. July 4, noon, Town Green. Info, 827-6145.

Barre

Thrill seekers watch racetrack action before a special fireworks show. July 2, 6:30 p.m., Thunder Road SpeedBowl. $3-12; $25 per family of four; free for kids under 6. Info, 244-6963. thunderroadspeedbowl.com

Barton

Agricultural amusements ranging from a tractor pull to games on horseback kick off the festivities. A grand parade at 2 p.m. leads from downtown to the fairgrounds; fireworks follow at dusk. July 4, 9 a.m., Orleans County Fairgrounds. $7; free for kids under 10. Info, 525-3555. orleanscountyfair.net

Brandon

Family fun commences on Friday with a food fest and street dance. Saturday festivities include karaoke, a bounce house, children's games, a 1 p.m. parade and afternoon music. Fireworks burst over the village at dusk. July 3, 6 p.m., and July 4, 10 a.m., Central Park. Info, 247-6401. brandon.org

Bristol

The small town celebrates the Fourth in a big way with live music, games, crafts and a bright lights show ending Friday evening with a bang. The Great Bristol Outhouse Race, a 5K road race and a themed parade extend the fun to Saturday. July 3, 6 p.m., and July 4, 7:30 a.m., various downtown locations. Info, 453-5451. bristol4th.com

Burke

Revelers chow down at an outdoor barbecue and soak up the scenery from the chairlifts before an exciting display of sky bursts. July 4, 5 p.m., Burke Mountain Resort. Info, 626-7300. skiburke.com

Burlington

Live bands and fun-filled activities including an air show, fun park and bounce house set the scene for spectacular fireworks over Lake Champlain. July 3, 2 p.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m., various waterfront locations. Info, 864-0123. enjoyburlington.com

Burlington Fireworks Train: Choo-choo! To bypass traffic and parking hassles, folks hop aboard a train headed for the waterfront fireworks. Trains run between Charlotte and Burlington, with stops in Shelburne and South Burlington. July 3, various times and locations. $15. Info, 1-800-707-3530. rails-vt.com

Fourth of July Weekend Train Ride: Passengers climb aboard for a fun round-trip ride to Middlebury. July 5, 3 p.m., Union Station. $30-35, free for kids under 3. Info, 1-800-707-3530. rails-vt.com

Celebrate the Lake: Families get a front-row seat to the fireworks from ECHO's Lakeside Hall, Dealer.com Terrace or Upper Deck. Live music and locally sourced fare provided by Sugarsnap round out the festivities. July 3, 6-11 p.m., ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center. $15-30; limited tickets available. Info, 864-1848. echovermont.org

Rock the Dock: Queen City sailors host a benefit for the Community Sailing Center with prime lakeside seating, restaurant eats, summer cocktails, tunes and dancing. July 3, 6:30 p.m., Community Sailing Center dock. $25-75. Info, 864-2499. communitysailingcenter.org

Cabot

A Main Street parade leads to an afternoon of fun in the sun, including field games and a chicken barbecue. July 4, 11 a.m., Cabot Recreation Field, with coffee and doughnuts at the Cabot Historical Society from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Info, 563-9907. heartofvt.com

Castleton

Students from the Vermont Governor's Institute on the Arts march down Main Street in a samba-themed community parade featuring giant homemade puppets and a costumed band. July 4, 10:30 a.m., Main Street. Info, 468-6039.

Colchester

Amateur athletes make strides at a fun run, then take in a Main Street parade and an evening concert before a fireworks finale at Bayside Park. July 4, 8:15 a.m., various locations. Info, 264-5640. colchestervt.gov

Essex

Independence Day makes a splash at the swimming pool. Live music, a bounce castle, an obstacle course and fireworks round out the day. July 4, 6 p.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m., Maple Street Park. Rain location: Essex High School ice rink. Info, 878-1375. ejrp.org

Fairfax

A two-mile parade route to the recreation park is followed by the always-popular Ducky Race. July 4, 1 p.m., Fairfax Community Park. Info, 849-6111, ext. 8. fairfaxrecreation.com

Greensboro

The Funky Fourth of July explodes onto the scene with fireworks on Friday. The following day brings a lively parade, music, chicken barbecue dinner, and town square dance with Pete's Posse and Robin Russell. July 3, dusk, and July 4, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., at various locations. $5 for the dance; free for children under 12. Fireworks rain date: July 5. Info, 533-2911. greensborovt.org

Island Pond

Three days of festivities are jam-packed with a duck race, parade, music and fireworks. July 3, 6-10 p.m.; July 4, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and July 5, noon, various locations. Info, 673-1854. islandpondchamber.org

Jay

Dinner, dancing and delicious tunes by Sweet Jayne precede magnificent sky blossoms. July 4, fireworks at dusk, Jay Village Inn & Restaurant. Info, 988-2306. jayvt.com

Jeffersonville

An old-fashioned town parade kicks off family-friendly entertainment complete with a frog-jumping contest, kids games and music by the Woedoggies. Head to Smugglers Notch Resort at 5 p.m. for the Firemen's Barbecue on the Green, patriotic music by the Vermont National Guard 40th Army Band and mountaintop fireworks. July 4, 10 a.m., various locations. Info, 793-7095. smugnotch.com, smuggs.com

Killington

High spirits fly at this Fourth of July celebration, which includes a parade, barbecue, pool party and nighttime fireworks. July 4, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Herbert I. Johnson Recreation Center. Info, 422-2105. killingtontown.com

Ludlow

An inflatable water slide, hot-dog-eating contest, ice-cold beverages and barbecue eats make the picnic-friendly Great American Party a grand old time. July 4, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Okemo Mountain Resort. Info, 228-1600. okemo.com

Milton

A parade, chicken barbecue and star-spangled outdoor concert by the Milton Community Band culminate in a spectacular fireworks display. July 4, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Bombardier Park. Fireworks rain date: July 5. Info, 891-8080. miltonvt.org

Montpelier

Patriots catch street entertainment, historical readings, concerts, and a 6 p.m. road race and parade. Downtown fills with bands and vendors before evening fireworks. July 3, 10 a.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m., downtown Montpelier. Info, 223-9604. montpelieralive.org

Morristown

Friends and neighbors celebrate this all-American holiday with a parade full of imaginative floats, barbecue cuisine, a duck race, main-stage music and big booms come dusk. July 4, 11 a.m., at various locations. Info, 888-6669. morristownvt.org

Newport

Bring your own picnic to this spirited shindig featuring music, entertainment, kids activities, food and, naturally, fireworks. Don't miss the infamous bed races. July 4, 8:30 a.m.; fireworks at 9:45 p.m., Gardner Memorial Park. Info, 334-6345. newportlive.org

North Hero

Sky bursts bloom after dark at a fireworks extravaganza in the middle of Lake Champlain. Go early for music, food, swimming and picnicking. July 3, 5-10 p.m., Knight Point State Park. Info, 372-8400. champlainislands.com

Northfield

Picnickers sprawl on the lawn for a patriotic carillon concert by George Matthew Jr. in honor of Independence Day. A tour of the bell tower and musical demonstration follow. July 4, 1 p.m., Charlotte Nichols Greene Memorial Carillon, Norwich University. Info, 247-9873. norwich.edu

Plymouth Notch

Locals celebrate the only U.S. president born on Independence Day with a gravesite ceremony, wagon rides, chicken barbecue and historic presentations plus a naturalization ceremony for new citizens. July 4, 10 a.m., various locations. Info, 672-3389. calvin-coolidge.org

Randolph

Folks reflect on American life in a themed promenade and street fest featuring unique floats, balloon sculptures, carnival-style eats and live entertainment. July 4, 10 a.m., Merchants Row. Info, 728-9027. whiterivervalleychamber.com

Rochester

A 5K race starts the day with a bang, followed by a parade, chicken barbecue, live music by Whoever Shows Up, kids games and more. July 4, 8 a.m., various locations. Info, 767-3025. rochestervermont.org

Rutland

Award-winning fireworks cap the Summer Smash 2015 festival, which includes concessions and the Stoney Roberts Demolition Derby. July 4, 4:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9:45 p.m., Vermont State Fairgrounds. Info, 773-2747. rutlandvermont.com

Shelburne

In a long-standing tradition, the church hosts an auction and bazaar, followed by its famed chicken barbecue with all the fixings. July 4, 9 a.m., Shelburne United Methodist Church. $6-18 for the barbecue. Info, 985-3981. shelburneumc.org

South Hero

A colorful themed parade starts at the corner of Landon Road and South Street and features patriotic tunes. July 4, 11 a.m., various locations. Info, 316-0591.

Stowe

This old-fashioned celebration begins with marching music in the Moscow Parade. An Old-Fashioned Village Festival complete with dunk tanks, magicians, a pie-eating contest and the world's shortest marathon follows from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fun continues at Mayo Farm at 6 p.m., with fireworks at dusk. July 4, 10 a.m., various locations. Info, 253-7321. gostowe.com

Stratton Mountain

There is fire on the mountain as revelers celebrate with live music, pie eating, games, hay rides and of course fireworks. July 4, 10 a.m., Stratton Mountain Resort. Info, 1-800-787-2886. stratton.com

Vergennes

Fourth of July Party: Folks ooh and ahh as Rumblecat deliver catchy tunes and fireworks illuminate the evening sky above the Red Mill Restaurant. July 3, fireworks at dusk, Basin Harbor Club. Info, 475-2317. basinharbor.com

A bonfire, live music and a DJ set propel an Independence Day shindig. July 4, 7-9 p.m., Red Mill Restaurant. Info, 475-2311. basinharbor.com

The Big ShaBANG: Locals bring their lawn chairs for an evening of games and barbecue fare featuring front-row seats to Basin Harbor Club's fireworks display. July 3, 6:30 p.m., Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. $10-15. Info, 475-2022. lcmm.org

Independence Day Commemoration: History buffs step aboard the replica 1776 gunboat Philadelphia II to hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence featuring cannon firing demonstrations. July 4, noon, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Free admission for veterans, armed services and their families. Info, 475-2022. lcmm.org

Warren

Thousands don red, white and blue to attend one of the state's largest parades. Afterward, they head to Lincoln Peak for a barbecue, live music by the Detonators and dazzling fireworks come nightfall. July 4, 10 a.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m., various locations. Info, 496-3409. madrivervalley.com

West Haven

Racing fans gather at the track for the annual Coca-Cola Firecracker Race and other wild-and-crazy automotive adventures. A fireworks display follows at dusk. July 3, 7:30 p.m., Devil's Bowl Speedway. $18-35; free for ages 12 and under. Info, 265-3112. devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com

Williston

Families get into the patriotic spirit with an ice cream social and Firecracker Fun Run. A parade, kids activities and live music pave the way for Saturday's fireworks at 9:30 p.m. July 3, 6 p.m.; July 4, 10 a.m., various locations. Info, 878-1239.

Woodstock

Independence Day starts off on the right foot with a road race, followed by live music, a community cookout, a flag ceremony and booming fireworks. July 4, 8:30 a.m.-dusk, various locations. Info, 457-3555. woodstockvt.com

Old Vermont Fourth: Celebrate the Fourth the old-fashioned way with patriotic speeches, wagon rides, ice-cream making and a spelling bee. July 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Billings Farm & Museum. $4-14; free for kids under 3. Info, 457-2355. billingsfarm.org