Sarah Voute struggles to keep her grip in the greased pole event during last year’s Fourth of July field events.(Photo by Sam Jackson).
Fireworks
Harvard’s fireworks will be held Monday, July 3, on the grounds of Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road. They start at dusk, but gates open at 5 p.m. for food and beverages, and for the music of Bare Hill Band, No Man’s Land, Rafters, and Sudden Odd Behavior. Admission is $20 per car, with $10 off the price if an occupant is wearing a 2017 July 4 T-shirt. Admission for walkers is $5 per person with a $20 family maximum. The raindate for the fireworks is Friday, July 7.
Great Harvard 4th of July Road Race and Fun Run
The Harvard Road Race Association will sponsor two events on Monday, July 4, beginning with a 5-mile race at 8:15 a.m., followed by a 1-mile children’s “Fun Run” at 9:30 a.m. Both begin at Hildreth Elementary School, where participants may registration from 6:30 to 8 a.m. Entry fees are $30 for the 5-mile race, $5 for the Fun Run ($20 family maximum), with free registration for town employees and runners over age 65. To learn more or to register ahead of time, go to www.harvardraces.org.
Fourth of July Parade
The parade and bike decoration competition will be Tuesday, July 4. Bike judging will be at 10 a.m. on the Common. The parade, organized by the town’s Fourth of July Committee, will assemble at the corner of Depot and Ayer roads, lining up on Depot Road. It will begin its march to the center of town about 11 a.m. Children on their decorated bikes, vintage cars and fire trucks, and Scouts will all be in the parade.
Field Events, Fun, Food
Fun and games begin on the lawn between Bromfield and the library directly after the flag-raising ceremony at the end of the parade. Organized by the Fourth of July Committee, the events include a pie-eating contest, sack races, egg toss, parent-child relays, and more. Lunch items, ice cream, and beverages will be available for purchase. For those who want even more activity, there will be games for children at the town beach after the field events. Rain date is Saturday, July 8.
