2013 Fourth of July Celebrations & Fireworks

Celebrating 4th of July in Western Massachusetts with the Family in 2010

There’s no better destination to celebrate the Fourth of July than Massachusetts,” said Betsy Wall, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel + Tourism. “From the world renowned Boston Pops concert on the Charles river to the many parades, fireworks, festivals and attractions, there are so many ways to experience the independent spirit and pride that makes Massachusetts unique.”(Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)

From the state where the American Revolution began, families can take part in the multitude of Fourth of July celebrations happening in Western MA. Only in Massachusetts can you travel the freedom trail, tour the home of Paul Revere and be a part of where America’s independence began. In Western MA, families and visitors can witness the historical reenactments in the hills of the Berkshires and Greater Springfield area, participate in the parades, music programs and dance performances, and take the families to see one of the many firework displays that happen throughout the region.

To follow is a preview of events & fireworks happening to celebrate the 4th of July, 2010. Please take the time to confirm events you wish to attend, including with time, place, age appropriateness, location and costs before attending.

Be sure to check out the Hilltown Families list of Weekly Suggested Events on July 1st, 2010 for a comprehensive list of family and community events happening in Western MA.

4TH OF JULY 2010 EVENTS IN WESTERN MA

• BECKET: Jacob’s Pillow offers a new community-wide celebration full of free events and classes especially suited to encourage participation in dance. Let’s Dance! will feature free dance workshops for teens and adults in Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, Swing, and Arab-American Fusion, as well as a special Families Dance Together Class for adults and children. The Pillow will present free performances on the Inside/Out stage by Ballroom Dancing for Tough Guys and Boston Tap Company. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the Great Lawn. www.jacobspillow.org Becket, MA

• CHESTERFIELD: The Town of Chesterfield will host its 63rd annual Independence Day Parade on Sunday, July 4th. This year’s parade promises to be better than ever bringing fun and family attractions that have made this event a Hilltown tradition. The parade will feature bands, floats, animals, clowns, antique and collectable cars and fire and emergency vehicles. (See poster) Chesterfield, MA

• LENOX: Celebrate a revolutionary weekend with Shakespeare & Company! Free, ever-popular reading of the Declaration of Independence features some of the most stirring words of political rhetoric ever written, spoken out loud by Company actors and special guests from the community.It is preceded this year by Revolutionary Moments, a special collection of vignettes compiled by Tina Packer and featuring Shakespeare & Company actors. Revolutionary Moments highlights the influence of Shakespeare on some of history’s most fascinating figures. www.shakespeare.org Lenox, MA

• PITTSFIELD: Pittsfield 4th of July Parade happens on Monday, July 5th. One of the 10 Best Parade Venues in the Country, beginning at South Street to North Street to Wahconah Park. The parade is preceded by Berkshire Medical Center’s 25th Annual 5K Independence Day Run which begins at 9:30am along the parade route. www.pittsfieldparade.com Pittsfield, MA

• STOCKBRIDGE: Kick off your 4th of July weekend celebration at Norman Rockwell Museum. Share a rare inside look at baseball legend Babe Ruth, through a special visit from his granddaughter Linda Ruth Tosetti; enjoy a game of catch with the Troy, N.Y.-based ValleyCats; learn about creating award-winning sports illustrations with artist Graig Kreindler; and enter into a 3D art-making workshop with pop artist Charles Fazzino. Children and teens 18 and under are free, adults free with Museum admission. www.nrm.org Stockbridge, MA

• STURBRIDGE: Old Sturbridge Village celebrates Independence Day with special daytime activities: join a citizen’s procession, hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence, sign a giant copy of the Declaration, play 1830s-style “Base-ball,” and much more. After daytime celebrations conclude at 5:00 p.m., OSV reopens from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m., for an evening of music, magic, family games and activities followed by a 30-minute fireworks display at dusk. www.osv.org Sturbrige, MA

• WILLIAMSTOWN: July 4th will begin with the Williamstown Parade at 11 AM winding up Route 2 from Southworth Street and continuing onto Spring Street where the Flatbed Jazz Band will be playing at the base of the street and parade goers can enjoy a barbecue courtesy of Stop and Shop and Williams College. Following the barbecue a reading of the declaration of Independence will be held at the Williams College Museum of Art. www.williamstownchamber.com Williamstown, MA

FIREWORKS IN WESTERN MA

FRIDAY, JULY 2nd

• Greenfield: Pre-firework fun starting at 4:30pm. Fireworks at 9:30pm at Beacon Field. (Rain Date: July 3rd)
• Holyoke: Pre-firework activities at Holyoke Community College starting at 6pm. Fireworks at dusk. (Rain Date: July 3rd)

SATURDAY, JULY 3rd

• East Longmeadow: Fireworks at the High School Athletic Field at 9pm.
• South Hadley: Pre-firework activities at Michael E. Smith Middle School (100 Mosier St.) starting at 6pm.. Fireworks at dark. (Rain date: 7/5)
• Westfield: 6pm events begin. Lights for Liberty at Stanley Park. Food, Music and Fireworks. Fireworks at dark.

SUNDAY, JULY 4th

• Amherst: 5pm events begin. Amherst Leisure Services Presents: Family Fun on July 4th on the UMass fields behind McGuirk Alumni Stadium until 9pm. Food, Music, Chldren’s Carnival and Fireworks.Fireworks at 9:30pm.
• North Adams: 9am events begin. City fireworks display at dark.
• Pittsfield: Fireworks from Pittsfield Cemetery at 9:30pm. (Rain date 7/5)
• Springfield: 7pm events begin. Star Spangled Springfield in Court Square, downtown Springfield. Food, Music and Fireworks. Fireworks at 9:30pm
• Stockbridge: Fireworks from Tanglewood Grounds at 10pm.
• Sturbridge: 6pm events begin. Fireworks at Old Sturbridge Village. OSV reopens from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m., for an evening of music, magic, family games and activities followed by a 30-minute fireworks display at dusk.
• West Springfield: 11am events begin. July 4th Celebration on the town common, starting at 11am, with chicken dinner, Russian dancers, music and fireworks. Fireworks at 9:15pm

SATURDAY, JULY 10th

• Otis: Fireworks at Tolland State Beach at dusk. (Rain Date: July 11th)
• Rowe: Fireworks at Pelham Lake Park at 9:30pm. (Rain date: 7/11)

SATURDAY, JULY 17th

• Hinsdale: Fireworks Hinsdale Fire Dept on Maple Street at 9:30pm. (Rain date: 7/24)

FRIDAY, JULY 23rd

• Charlemont: Events begin at 4pm. Yankee Doodle Days at Charlemont Fairgrounds until 10pm. Amusements, Fireworks, Demo Derby, Racing Pigs, Lumber Jill Show, Square Dancing, Entertainment, Ox Pull, Horse Draw, Petting Zoo, Food, Vendors, Classic Cars, Music and more