Town of Williamstown Independence Day Celebration
Williamstown’s Independence Day celebration layers fun with reflection, from a hometown parade and community cookout to dramatic readings of the founding documents. With family activities on Spring Street and live music throughout the day, it blends history, creativity, and connection. As fireworks light up the sky at 9pm, it’s a chance to notice how sound and light behave—and get curious about the science behind the spectacle.
Self-Directed Learning
As families enjoy fireworks this Fourth of July, take a moment to watch this short video to support science learning at home. It explains how vibrant colors in fireworks come from specific elements—like strontium for red and copper for blue—and how heat causes electrons to release energy as visible light. Scientists use these colors to identify which elements are present, both on Earth and in distant stars and planets. Watching the video can spark curiosity and help kids connect what they see in the sky to chemistry, physics, and space science—all while celebrating the holiday.
