THE GREAT BRISTOL Outhouse Race is one of the many unusual ways our community celebrates July 4.
Addison Independent photo/Steve James
Outhouse races, Little Debby Swiss Roll eating contests, boat parades — oh yeah, and fireworks. There are many idiosyncratic ways to celebrate Independence Day in Addison County. Here’s what’s on the docket this year:
On Wednesday, July 3, catch a fireworks display at dusk at Vergennes Union High School or on the Bristol rec fields, which will also be buzzing with live music, fair food and games.
On Thursday, July 4, the Great Bristol Outhouse Race takes off on Main Street at 9 a.m. and the parade follows at 10:30 a.m. Head to Lake Dunmore in the afternoon if you want to catch the boat parade at 1 p.m.
For a more low-key experience, head to Cornwall for a July 4th Strawberry Social at the Ethan & Mary Baker Allen DAR House or the annual Ice Cream Social at the Salisbury Meeting House.
On Friday, July 5, gather at Rokeby Museum for the annual public reading of “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” delivered by Frederick Douglass in 1852.
Finally, the town of Brandon celebrates on Saturday, July 6, with all-day train rides and activities, the Swiss Roll-eating contest and rubber duckie race; a parade at 10 a.m.; and fireworks at dusk.
Slightly farther afield, the Warren Fourth of July parade is legendary. And Burlington does a spectacular fireworks display over Lake Champlain on July 3.
