By Rod Hansen
Staff Writer

It’s been a town tradition for 75 years, and this year the Fourth of July Celebration promises to pack as much thrill as ever, organizers say.

“People expect a lot out of the Fourth of July Celebration. We’re sure they’ll be very happy this year,” said Lisa Cramb, publicity chairman of the New Boston Fourth of July Association.

This year’s events kick off with a barn dance the Saturday before Independence Day, and on the holiday itself there will be a parade, children’s activities, the ever-popular fiddle contest and finally an expanded fireworks display.

The event promises the return of many old favorites along with a few new surprises, Cramb said.

The barn dance is scheduled for Saturday, July 1, from 8 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Tickets will be sold at the door for this BYOB event, and light refreshments and ice will be available for a donation. For more information about the dance, call 487-2996.

The barn dance is an important fundraiser leading up to the Fourth of July, Cramb said. Proceeds from the $10 ticket sales directly benefit the 4-H Foundation and New Boston’s Fourth of July Celebration.

There will be a 50/50 raffle, and tickets for the annual Fourth of July Raffle will be sold throughout the evening.

The main event kicks off at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4, with a community breakfast at the New Boston Community Church.

The Fourth of July parade will step off at 10 a.m. at the intersection of routes 136 and 77, traveling down High Street through Central Square and along Route 13 to the Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Center.

The theme of this year’s parade will be “games,” Cramb said. The theme is a nod to New Boston’s history as a member of the Tri-Mountain Baseball League, and this year’s parade marshalls will be former players from New Boston’s baseball team, Cramb said. About 10 floats have thus far been entered in the parade.

The day-long celebration will begin at the 4-H Youth Center fairgrounds at 11:30 a.m., with opening events including the presentation of colors and the national anthem, the firing of the historic Molly Stark cannon and a parade float awards ceremony.

Admission to the fair grounds is $5, with children under 12 allowed in free. The day’s events include entertainment for all age groups such as music, magic, a tractor pull and a fiddlers’ contest.

A long-standing highlight of the Fourth of July celebration, the fiddlers’ competition often draws between 200 and 300 spectators, Cramb said. Divisions for the contest include open competition, contestants under 18 and under 12, Cramb said. Anyone with questions about the fiddler contest can contact Frank Woodward at 487-2480.

The fiddlers’ contest is scheduled to take place in the arena from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Other entertainment includes children’s musician Wayne from Maine, who will be playing two sets at 12:45 and 2:15 p.m.

Local alternative rock band Call Her Alaska are also scheduled for two sets at 12:30 and 5 p.m., Cramb said.

A full schedule of New Boston Fourth of July activities appears to the right.