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Francestown residents sample homemade pies at the town’s July 4 celebration. -
In Greenfield, Steve Seigars waits to read the Declaration of Independence with some of his grandchildren and their friends. -
Members of the fire and police teams before the Greenfield’s third annual Guns ’n’ Hoses” Fire Department fundraiser. -
In Greenfield, from left Town Moderator Andres Wood, Brighid Wood and Select Board member Tom Bascom assemble to read the Declaration of Independence. -
Nate Monty (rear) of Morphs and Milestones brought tortoises and reptiles to meet young residents at Francestown’s July 4 celebration. -
Greenfield’s fireworks show, organized by the “Ungrateful Colonists” took place on the lawn of the Greenfield Inn. -
Young Francestowners in the bike parade. -
Theo Groh of Francestown won the hot dog-eating contest. -
Francestown children take part in July 4 festivities at the paddleball courts. -
Volunteers in Greenfield organized a 45- minute firework display at the Greenfield Inn. -
Francestown residents take part in the town’s annual July 4 hot dog-eating contest.
After the event outgrew Francestown Town Hall and the horse sheds, the town’s Recreation Committee moved the July 4 celebration to the Francestown Sports Complex.
“We kicked off the fourth celebration with a night under the stars with the Hollis Band. It was a spectacular evening with the sounds of a 64-piece band echoing through the Francestown forests,” said Recreation Department Chair Bob Bitterli
Francestown’s festivities started with a pickleball tournament including participants from around the region.
“While we had numerous of events throughout the day, from hot dog-eating contests, to dodgeball tournaments, to patriotic pet shows, the most-poignant was the reading of the Declaration of Independence, which reminded all of us about the real significance of July 4,” Bitterli said.
Theo Groh finished with his third consecutive win in the hot dog-eating contest, narrowly beating Nate Monty with just a few bites of his ninth hot dog. Rosa Zedek finished third
The day’s events wrapped up with dancing and live music by Lonesome Train and a bonfire provided by the Francestown Fire Department. The Francestown Recreation Department provided the smores.
In Greenfield, a group of volunteers led by Dave Thimmel, Marc Dube and Joey Long once again organized a free community fireworks display on the lawn at the Greenfield Inn, hosted by inn owner Jarvis Adams, Jr.
The group, who call themselves the “Ungrateful Colonists,” have been organizing Greenfield’s July 4 celebration, including family events at Oak Park, for the past several years. Volunteers from the Oak Park Committee, the Recreation Committee and the Greenfield police and fire departments all took part in organizing and running the day’s events, including the annual Guns ’n’ Hoses baseball game between fire and police.
The 45-minute fireworks display was funded solely by donations from town residents and local businesses.