Celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial with a weeklong series of local events across the region.

Antrim

Saturday, July 4

  • 12 p.m. — 250th Kickoff Celebration (Shea Field): 18th-century games, colonial foods (ham and beans, cornbread, strawberry shortcake, fresh-pressed apples), historic costumes, a “George Washington tent” for kids, and the announcement of the townwide patriotic decorating contest winner.

Sunday, July 5

  • 1–3 p.m. — Historic Walking Tours: Guided tours of historic sites including Meeting House Hill, the Old Center, the Antrim Grange, and the Old Parsonage. Tours feature stories of local Revolutionary War veterans.

Volunteer Contact: To help or volunteer, contact Stephen Burkhardt at 603-588-2650 or text Renee Mercier-Gerritsen at 603-547-5144.

Dublin

Thursday, July 2

  • 9 p.m. — Annual Fireworks Display: Hosted by the Dublin Lake Club over the east end of Dublin Lake.

Important Note: Residents should check with the police department regarding permitted parking and viewing areas.

Francestown

Saturday, July 4 (At the Recreation Commission fields)

  • 10 a.m. — Farmers Market: Market opens for the day.
  • 12 p.m. — Annual Pickleball Tournament: Tournament play begins.
  • 1 p.m. — Town Cookout: Food and community dining.
  • 2 p.m. — Opening Ceremonies: Presentation of the Colors and Reading of the Declaration of Independence.
  • 2:30 p.m. — Family Activities: Children’s Bike Parade and the annual Apple Pie Contest.
  • 3 p.m. — Afternoon Events: Skate Jam at the skate park and the Hot Dog Eating Contest on the main stage.
  • 3:30 p.m. — Patriotic Pet Parade: Residents and their pets are invited to participate.
  • 4:30 p.m. — Dodgeball Tournament: Tournament play begins.
  • 5:30 p.m. — Home Run Derby: Derby events begin.
  • 6 p.m. — Evening Finale: Bonfire and live music by Lonesome Train.

Greenfield

Saturday, July 4

  • 7:30 a.m. — Sparkler Sprint Registration: Registration opens at Oak Park (5K race begins at 9 a.m.).
  • 9–10 a.m. — Meetinghouse Celebration: Reading of the Declaration of Independence, official ribbon-cutting for the renovated Meetinghouse, refreshments, and historic photo tours.
  • 10 a.m. — Independence Day Parade: Departs from Slip Road and proceeds to Oak Park.
  • 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Family Activities (Oak Park): Vendors, food kitchen, dunk tank, Touch-a-Truck, face-painting, bubbles, pie tasting, and tie-dye.
  • 11 a.m. — Railroad History Presentation: Local historian Dale Russell discusses Greenfield’s railroad history (Hosted by the Historical Society).
  • 12 p.m. — Guns and Hoses Softball Game: Annual Fire vs. Police matchup.
  • 12:30 p.m. — Community History Discussion: Former resident Donald “Jimmy” Smith shares memories of growing up in Greenfield during the 1950s and ’60s.
  • Nightfall — Fireworks Display: Set off on the lawn of the Greenfield Inn. Organized by the Ungrateful Colonists.

Hancock

Saturday, July 4 (Hancock Common)

  • 10 a.m. — Reading & Social: Live reading of the Declaration of Independence by local children, a community sing-along led by David Young, and fresh apple pie.
  • Rain Location: Hancock Meeting House.

Jaffrey

Saturday, July 4 (Old Jaffrey Center)

  • 12 p.m. — 26th Annual Declaration Reading: Held at the historic 1775 Meetinghouse, featuring community volunteers reading sections of the document. Followed by a free ice cream social in the horsesheds.
  • Ongoing — Historic Open Houses: The Little Red Schoolhouse and Melville Academy will be open; modern and restored antique fire engines will be on display.

Sunday, July 5 (Civic Center Lawn, 40 Main St.)

  • 4–6 p.m. — “America’s Potluck” Community Event: Jaffrey joins a national grassroots initiative as one of only three towns in New Hampshire to host this unifying event. Features live music, community conversation, and shared food. Organized by Bruce Hill, Toni Gildone, and Peter Lambert on behalf of local historical groups and community sponsors.

Peterborough

Wednesday, July 1

  • Special Release: Post And Beam Brewing (at the historic GAR Hall) will release a limited-edition canned lager honoring Revolutionary War drummer William Diamond.

Saturday, July 4

  • 10 a.m. — Classic Car Cruise-In / Display: Located at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture.
  • 10:30 a.m. — Flag-Raising & Reading: Declaration of Independence read by descendants of Revolutionary War patriots at the Monadnock Center.
  • 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Old-Fashioned Games & Social: Three-legged races, traditional family games, and an ice cream social featuring Connolly Brothers ice cream.
  • 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. — 10th Annual Art in the Parks: Held throughout downtown parks and Depot Square. Browse works from more than 50 artists, listen to live music, and shop the farmers’ market. (Rain date: Sunday, July 5).
  • 12 p.m. — Pop-Up Contra Dance: “Dance Like it is 1776” on Grove Street. A street contra dance; no experience necessary.
  • 1 p.m. — 1876 Baseball Game (Adams Playground): Community baseball game played by official 1876 rules.

Wednesday, July 8 (Peterborough Library, 1833 Room)

  • 6:30 p.m. — Movie Night: Free screening of National Treasure. Snacks provided; BYO dinner permitted.