(by 12 people)
59th Annual Wardsboro Fourth of July Street Fair and Parade
This small Vermont town fair began back in 1949 when community members were brainstorming ideas to raise money and has turned into a celebration that brings people back year after year.
Some people look forward to building floats and others watching the parade. There are the famous home-baked pies and the strawberry shortcake. The A-Z Club many no longer make quilts and aprons but their spirit lives on in the Quilt show and the old photos at the Historical Society exhibits.
Don't miss another year of this wonderful hometown 4th of July Celebration.
Wardsboro Fourth of July Table of Contents
- Wardsboro's 4th of July Celebration is not to be missed...
- Wardsboro Village
- Booths open at 9 am
- Healthy Food Suggestion Box
- Parade 10 am sharp.
- Chicken BBQ
- Games for Everyone
- Wardsboro Library
- Art Show
- Wardsboro Historical Society
- Gladys Bruce Milks her Goats
- Auction at about 1 pm
- Willie Finkel on the Town Hall Stage
- The best Fourth of July Celebration is in Wardsboro!
- Wardsboro on eBay
- By car, plane or helocopter...
- Crafters at the Fair
- Blogging about Wardsboro
- Suggestion Box
- Wardsboro Fourth of July Guest Book
- Vermont Cookbook
Wardsboro's 4th of July Celebration is not to be missed...
Though Wardsboro, Vt. is usually a quiet town, it quickly fills up on the morning of the fourth. People come from the far corners to join in the celebration.
The Wardsboro's Fourth of July street fair and parade is the oldest in the State.
Each year as many as 5000 visitors get up early and join the population of about 700 to celebrate the Country's Independence.
The fields have been hayed to park all the cars. The Mooover, a bus painted with cow spots, shuttles those who come late enough to need to park further away.
Booths of all kinds are open by 9 am. There are Craft Booths, Antiques, Fine Art, books and a White Elephant Sale.
An auction of goods donated to the cause helps raise further money, but the highlight of the day is the parade.The parade consists of floats, antique cars, fire engines, and tractors, bands and marching bands, which march through the town, up into a field at the end of the road, turn round and march back through, so you get to see the parade two times!
When you get hungry there's the Hot Dog Booth, Strawberry Shortcake, Chicken BBQ, and Wardsboro's famous home baked pies.
There are games for the kids, history exhibit, quilt and flower show and display of paintings by local artists.
You couldn't find a better place to spend the day than at Wardsboro's 59th Annual 4th of July Street Fair.
Wardsboro Village
Here is the largest flag on Route 100. It's made of colored roof shingles on the General Store and might be visible from the space shuttle.
Across the street is the Wardsboro Historical Society in what used to be the Catholic Church.
Booths open at 9 am
Booths of All Kinds are open at 9 am
Main Street, the only street, is where it all takes place with over 60 street vendors selling Home Baked Pies, Strawberry Shortcake, Homemade Baked Goods and other delicious all-American goodies.
There are crafts, Fine Art, and Antiques.
There are games for children, a High Striker to prove your strength, and lots, lots, more.
The Pie Booth
The pies are baked right here in Wardsboro at the Town Hall and up at the Baptist Church. Each year hundreds of pies are made by hand by volunteers that are continuing a tradition passed down from our mothers and grandmothers.
The strawberries and rhubarb are picked locally. Some of the strawberries go to the Strawberry Shortcake booth inside the Vestry next to the church.
Though we bake over so many pies they go very fast so get yours as soon as you can.
There will be Cherry, Strawberry-Rhubarb, Blueberry, and Apple pies in some quantity and other varieties in very limited quantities.
Craft Booths
While you are waiting for the parade to start there are lots of craft booths to check out.
Wardsboro 4th of July is also a town reunion where people who have moved away come back to greet friends and family and reconnect with their roots.
Hotdog and Hamburger Booth
Come get your Hotdogs, Hamburgers, Cheese Burgers and French Fries!
strawberry shortcake
Volunteers spend hours picking and cleaning pounds and pounds of strawberries for the Strawberry Rhubarb Pies and Strawberry Shortcake.
Healthy Food Suggestion Box
Food at the Fair has traditionally been heavy on the fats, salt and sugar. We are constantly looking for recipes or suggestions for healthier foods to offer. Please add your suggestions.
Strawberries, macerated in Agasweet flavored agave nectar
Agave nectar has the quality to bring out the flav more...2 points
Heart Healthy Recipes
Get heart healthy recipes from Uncle Sam:
http://w more...2 points
Grilled vegetables
(anything goes: zucchini, red pepper, portabella m more...1 point
Garbage in a Bag
veggies, cheese and salad dressing in a pita pocke more...1 point
Flower and Quilt Show
If it gets too hot or starts to sprinkle just step inside the Church to see the beautiful handmade quilts and floral arrangements.
It is always cool in the church and the ladies inside would love to discuss the quilts on display there.
Parade 10 am sharp.
The parade consists of floats, antique cars, fire engines, and tractors, bands and marching bands, which help rouse the crowds for a perfect traditional Fourth of July. It marches through the town, up into a field at the end of the road, turns round and marches back through, so you get to see both sides!
Local Veterans form the color guard.
The parade has never been rained out in 58 years. Some years there are llamas, race cars and clowns.
This 1963 CJ-3B, possibly the lowest-mileage flatfender Jeep still in existence, was owned more recently by Adam, and driven in the 4th of July 2000 parade in Wardsboro, Vermont. It was accompanied by some WWII-vintage jeeps (50K JPEG). Adam says, "It's one of the bigger events in Vermont, now in it's 52nd year. People come from all around the state, and the Northeast for that matter. There is a car show/parade, marching bands, floats and a street fair. Later in the day a auction is held and all the proceeds go to the local Fire Dept. All of townspeople chip in and run it. It's a feast for the senses, and a real piece of Americana."
The Famous Grafton Band
The Grafton Cornet Band has been playing for 142 Years and they have played in every Wardsboro Fourth of July Parade since it began in 1949.
Floats
The colorful parade filled with magnificent bands, gorgeous floats, spiffy antique cars, hilarious clowns and shiny red fire trucks slowly but steadily travel along historic South Hill Road to the resounding cheers of wildly enthusiastic spectators.
Firetrucks and Antique Cars
It marches through the town, up into a field at the end of the road, turns round and marches back through, so you get to see it twice!
Chicken BBQ
The Wardsboro Volunteer Fire Department fires up their world famous BBQ and serves a complete meal including salad and rolls under the big tent near the Town Hall.
Get your tickets early before they sell out.
Games for Everyone
There is always lots of fun for Adults and Children alike.
Wardsboro Library
Don't miss the book sale in front of the library. You will never find better prices and you never know what treasures you will find there.- FRIENDS OF THE WARDSBORO LIBRARY, Inc.
- Street Fair & Parade at our booth across from Wardsboro Town Hall.
Shop for Wardsboro, Exposing the Past photo history book, historic Wardsboro photo note cards, collector post cards, 4th of July tee-shirts and the Gilfeather® Turnip Cookbook & Other Recipes Rooted in Wardsboro, Vol. 2.
Art Show
Local artists display and sell their artwork.
Wardsboro Historical Society
On the right is Danny Hescock, head of the Wardsboro Historical Society. He and Bob LeBlond have been collecting photos of the history of Wardsboro for years and now make presentations in the Historical Society Building each year during the Fourth of July Celebration.
Make sure to stop in to see this year's exhibit.
Podunk
Wardsboro History
Return to yesterday: A history of Wardsboro, Vermont
Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2008)
History of Wardsboro Vermont
Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2008)
Gladys Bruce Milks her Goats
Learn a little about the life of one of the founders of the Wardsboro 4th of July Celebration.
Though Vermont is know for cows and cheese made from cows there are still many very small farms in Vermont that raise other animals. When Gladys Bruce is not helping on the 4th of July she is raising and milking goats.
Though Vermont is know for cows and cheese made from cows there are still many very small farms in Vermont that raise other animals. When Gladys Bruce is not helping on the 4th of July she is raising and milking goats.
Grace Cottage Hospital
The Grace Cottage Hospital Auxiliary will have a booth at the Wardsboro Fourth of July Parade and Street Fair, where the colorful 2007 Hospital Fair Day T-shirts, hats and raffle tickets will be sold. And, of course, we hope to see you at the 57th Grace Cottage Hospital Auxiliary Fair Day on Saturday, August 4th. Volunteers and auction donations are still needed for Fair Day.
Call 365-4455 or 365-4707 for information.
Auction at about 1 pm
As soon as the Chicken BBQ is picked up the Auction begins under the Big Tent.
Willie Finkel on the Town Hall Stage
Willie Finkel will again be playing his classical guitar on the Wardsboro Town Hall Stage. This concert will begin after the parade.
If you or anyone you know is interested in performing on the Wardsboro Town Hall Stage please email me and I will pass the information on to the person in charge.
Note: There is an elevator for those with difficulty climbing the stairs.
The Wardsboro Fourth of July Street Fair is a Fund Raiser
The Wardsboro Fourth of July Street Fair raises money for The Yoked Parishes of Wardsboro as well as the Wardsboro Public Library.
Learn More about Wardsboro and the Fair
- Vermont...A State of Mind
- In a couple of weeks, I will be sitting in the front row of the annual Wardsboro 4th of July parade...a throwback in time...taking in the sun (I hope) and watching 500 other people enjoy the simple pleasures of celebration and community complete with chicken barbecues and pie eating contests. Given the fact that there is only one street in Wardsboro, a town of 200 people, everyone also gets to see the parade twice. Once when it goes down the street and, of course, a second time, when it turns around and returns. That's Vermont.
- Annual July 4 Parade &
- See a picture of the parade in 2004.
- Exploring Southern Vermont
- During the annual 4th of July Parade in Wardsboro Village, dozens of regional painters and hometown crafters set up an artsy street market several hours before the marching begins and thousands of people stroll Main Street to browse the booths and tents.
- PhotoShelter™ Collection - Photo #PSC000824625 by Fran Janik: Oxen in parade
- Tammy Allen leads her oxen Garfield and Ode down Main street in Wardsboro Vermont during the July 4th parade. The Oxen are decorated for the parade.
- JOURNAL OF THE VERMONT SENATE
- 1999 marks the 50th anniversary of the Wardsboro Fourth of July Street Fair
The best Fourth of July Celebration is in Wardsboro!
How do you celebrate the Fourth of July?
Are you comming or are you missing out?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byI'm on my way. I wouldn't miss another Wardsboro Fourth of July!
I can't come this year but next year for sure!
irishlass says:
Looks like great fun! As American as the community 4th of July rodeo in Choteau, Montana.
Posted May 18, 2008
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Wardsboro on eBay
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By car, plane or helocopter...
It's time to buy those tickets before the price goes up!
You've got to come to the Wardsboro 4th of July Fair!
Crafters at the Fair
These are some of the crafters who will have a booths at the Wardsboro 4th of July Fair.
Thorne Brook Designs
0 points
Set up a 4th of July Booth
Blogging about Wardsboro
Imagine the parade coming up this street with both sides of the road crowded with people.
- Wardsboro House
- Wardsboro House Stories from the carriage barn This was just the first snowfall of a very snowy...
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
Here it is, Springtime at Wa... SNOWING in Wardsboro, finally, on Friday, D... EARLY MUD Season in March 2006My house is the li... SNOW on the new "awning&quo
Suggestion Box
What new ideas do you have for the fair?
Each year we try to come up with new ideas and ways to make the fair even more fun, family friendly day where friends can reconnect, children are entertained and people are able to learn something new.
What events would you like to see at the fair?
Do you have any suggestions for healthy foods to offer to fairgoers?
What else would you like to see at the fair?
Pancake Relay Race
Pancake race is quite interesting race where large more...1 point
Ping Pong Toss
Collect glass jars and put them all on a table (cr more...1 point