Michelle Stahl has been at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture for more than 20 years. Back then it was the Peterborough Historical Society and for the previous 70-plus years, every Fourth of July, they held a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
“It’s just one of those things that when I got here, it was something we did,” Stahl said.
This year will mark the 92nd Fourth of July the organization has held the event, which includes every year on the day America declared independence. Beginning at 10 a.m., there will be a flag raising and national anthem, followed by the reading of the Declaration and an address from a speaker.
“It’s a really nice way to start the day because it’s a touchstone and a reminder of what the day is all about,” Stahl said.
Peterborough isn’t the only town in the region that’s celebrating the holiday. From pots and pans at midnight in Greenville to fireworks shows galore, there’s a lot going on during the holiday week.
Greenville: The annual Pots and Pans Parade returns to usher in Independence Day at midnight.
Floats, decorated vehicles, classic cars and citizens will parade along River Street, Main Street and Mill Street. No matter what you enter, the theme for this year will be “Light Up Greenville” and with the parade beginning at midnight, the brighter the better. Trophies and prizes will be awarded. Floats/vehicles need to be checked in at the town field by 7:30 p.m. to be lined-up for viewing along Adams Street.
The festivities begin at 8 p.m. at the town field. The fireworks display begins around 11:20 p.m. before everyone makes their way down to the parade route. Awards for parade entries will be announced immediately before the fireworks.
Limited vendor spaces are available at the town field.
Peterborough:This year’s Fourth of July reading of the Declaration will not only be red, white, blue, but will include some plaid. Fred Marple from Frost Heaves will share his thoughts on the Declaration after the reading at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture in what is sure to be a humorous and thought-provoking talk on the nation’s birthday.
The event will take place from 10 to 11 a.m.
Jaffrey: The annual reading of the Declaration of Independence will be held at noon at the Jaffrey Meetinghouse, followed by an ice cream social outside.
The Melville Academy, Old School House and the antique Jaffrey fire station will also be open for visits in the area after the reading.
That evening, the United Church of Jaffrey will host a strawberry shortcake festival from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Mildred Cutter Memorial Hall, 54 Main St. Large shortcakes will be available for $5 and smalls are $4. Drinks are included and take out is available.
Antrim: Join the Antrim Historical Society at the Bandstand on Jameson Avenue for its annual Independence Day celebration. Beginning at 8 a.m., there will be coffee, tea and baked goods, followed by the Yankee Doodle and the Dandies at 9 a.m. performing some popular patriotic songs.
At 9:30 a.m., the colors will be presented by the Boy Scouts and they will lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner. Promptly at 9:45 a.m., members of the Antrim Players will read the Declaration of Independence, followed by the presentation of the Boston Post Cane. This event will be held rain or shine.
Temple: The festivities begin at 10 a.m. and go for most of the day. there will be a bicycle parade, fire engine rides, tug of war, a water balloon toss, penny scramble and both three-legged and potato sack races. The Temple Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor a barbecue.
At 6 p.m., there will be an ice cream social and a Temple Band concert on the Village Green.
Dublin: The annual Independence Day fireworks display, put on by the Dublin Lake Club, will light up the night sky over Dublin Lake beginning at 9:30 p.m.
People can bring blankets and lawn chairs and watch from the town’s cemetery across the street. Fireworks will be shot from a barge floating in the lake.
Hancock: The town’s annual fireworks display will begin at dusk, but there’s plenty to do before the bright colors and crowd awing booms.
From 6 to 9 p.m., head over to the vestry for ice cream, hot dogs and drinks. Bob Fogg will be at the Meetinghouse from 6 to 7 p.m. for some bell ringing.
A reading of the Declaration of Independence will take place at 7 p.m. followed by a concert at the bandstand at 7:30 p.m. with Eyes of Age. Rain date is July 13.
Rindge: Beginning at 5 p.m. at Franklin Pierce University, there will be lawn games for the whole family, as well as food being sold by the Rindge Fire Department Association and sweet treats like snow cones, cotton candy and ice cream. The 4-H robotics group will be doing demos.
Around 6 p.m., the American Heirlooms will take the stage, followed by Sheep Dip. A little after 9 p.m., the annual fireworks display will happen.