BY DAVID CHOATE
New Boston is taking its annual Fourth of July celebration to new heights this year, for those who are willing to climb them.
The newest feature at the annual town tradition is a rock climbing wall donated by Vertical Dreams of Manchester. Up to four people will be able to use it at one time, said Heather Strong, who is in charge of activities for the Fourth of July Association.
In addition to the new rock wall, Fourth of July Association president Laura Todd said all the activities that have been staples for the 76-year-old celebration will return this year.
“We’re bringing back the fiddler’s contest, the mud volleyball, the terrific chicken barbecue – all the things everyone loves so much,” Todd said.
The theme of the parade this year will be comedy, a choice that should be reflected in the floats.
Promotions chairman Lisa Cramb said there are currently five floats entered in the parade, and anyone who wishes to register their own float can do so up to the event itself by calling parade manager Paula Bellemore at 487-5090.
“Every year, we choose a different theme for our parade floats. Who knows what we’ll see for floats this year,” Cramb said.
The busy day following the parade will include kids activities from noon to 5 p.m., a performance from the University of New Hampshire’s Little Red Wagon Theater Corps at 8 p.m., and the well-known fiddler’s contest from 2 to 5 p.m.. Todd said the competition draws amateur and experienced fiddlers from around the state.
Before the variety of fairground events, the day will begin with a breakfast at 8 a.m. at the New Boston Community Church. The parade, another annual fixture, will follow the breakfast at 10 a.m., and features live music and floats put together by families in New Boston.
Strong has been a member of the Fourth of July Association since 2000. She said she hopes to see many families coming by to check out the events at the fairgrounds following the parade.
“There’s a lot of things going on in the fairgrounds after the parade that are a lot of fun. Having three small kids myself, I really enjoy having children’s entertainers there,” said Strong.
On June 30, the Fourth of July Association will hold a Barn Dance at 8 p.m. in the Langdell Arena of the 4H Youth Center. Admission for the dance is $10. The admission price to the fairgrounds is $5, with children younger than 12 being admitted for free.
Parking will be available in designated areas in downtown New Boston. A shuttle will be available from the parking lot of the 4H Youth Center to the event.
The day will wrap up with the most traditional of all Fourth of July events, a fireworks display, at 9:15 p.m. That will conclude the Fourth of July celebration, which Heather Strong said she has attended since her childhood in New Boston.
“The Fourth (of July) has always been a major day in this town,” she said.