The 4th of July: Bombs Bursting in Air
Posted by: Marilyn Bethany
Posted on: Tuesday, July 01, 2008
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You don’t have to have a JT ticket to enjoy the fireworks at Tanglewood! The surrounding hills afford plenty of great vantage points. One of the best is Olivia’s Overlook, above Kripalu. Bring plenty of bug spray, and it best to get there on a motorcycle as parking is tight. Or find a friend with a kayak or canoe and watch them afloat in the Stockbridge Bowl!
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Not all 4th of July celebrations are alike. Some are as American as, say, the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War, while others are as American as baseball. Some aren’t even on the 4th. Given that and the capricious micro-pockets of inclement weather we’ve been having recently, it’s conceivable that a die-hard could catch fire department sanctioned fireworks displays somewhere in our region on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Great news for us fireworks-enthusiasts; bad news for our poor, long-suffering dogs.
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An old-fashioned Independence Day Celebration at Clermont
What more fitting place to spend the 4th than at a magnificent house on the Hudson that was burnt to the ground by the British in 1777? (The house we see today, a replica of the first, was rebuilt immediately after the War of Independence.) Clermont’s is an all-day event with an emphasis on the pleasures and politics of the past. Watermelon-seed-spitting contests, 3-legged races, Punch-and-Judy shows, Revolutionary War re-enactors engaged in the boisterous build-up to the Shot Heard ‘Round the World, culminating here in an impassioned reading of the Declaration (which, as it happens, the orginal owner of Clermont, who served in the 2nd Continental Congress, helped draft). All day and evening, there’s interesting and high-quality stuff to do for both children and adults, so check out the website (link below) for details. The fireworks, clearly visible from the Clermont grounds, actually take place across the river in Saugerties. But beware: once the parking lot is full, the gates will be closed. So come early with a blanket and a picnic and wait for dark in one of the most beautiful settings in these United States.
Clermont State Historic Site
Friday, July 4
1 Clermont Avenue, Germantown; 518.537.4240
Friday, July 4; noon - 10
Admission: $7 per car
Family Fest in Chatham
At the Columbia County Fairgrounds, there will be live music by the Skeeter Creek Band, free rides for little ones, pony rides, face painting, wall climbing, a hay maze, and, of course, the astonishing array of fried foods for which our great nation is so justly infamous. The festivities begin at 3 and stretch through the fireworks, which start at 9:30. Those who just want to see the fireworks, may, for a $10 donation to the Little League, park and watch from their field across from the Fairgrounds.
Family Fest in Chatham
Columbia County Fairgrounds
Route 66, Chatham
Friday, July 4; 3 - 10
Admission: $5, free/children under 3, free parking at the Fairgrounds from 3 o’clock on
Lime Rock Park Fireworks
WKZE’s Marshall Miles, will broadcast live from 6 – 8 on Saturday, the 5th. Fireworks start around 9; the refreshment stand will be open.
Lime Rock Park
497 Lime Rock Rd. (Rte. 112); Lakeville; 860.435.5000
Saturday, July 5th (Rain date: Sunday, July 6th)
6 - 10
Admission: $10 per car (proceeds go to the Rotary Club’s Community Services Campaign)
Something for Everyone in Rhinebeck
The Hudson Valley Philharmonic performs on Friday followed by fireworks. On Saturday, there are two demolition derbies, afternoon and evening. with fireworks at nightfall. On Sunday, WBPM presents Freedom Fest Classic Rock Concert, with music by Jimmy Johnson, Survivor; John Cafferty, Beaver Brown Band; Gary “US” Bonds; Larry Hoppin; and Robby Dupree.
Dutchess County Fairgrounds
Route 9, Rhinebeck
Friday, July 4, 5 - 10
The Hudson Valley Philharmonic at 7; fireworks after dark
Saturday, July 5, 10 - 10
Demolition derbys: 2:30 & 7; fireworks after dark
Admission both nights:
Walk ins: $7/advance; $11/gate. $6/Rhinebeck residents
Carloads: $30/advance; $40/gate
Freedom Fest Rock Concert
Sunday, July 6, 11 - 6; no fireworks
Admission: $25/per person
All events: rain or shine
Pittsfield: An Old School 4th
In one of the last remaining wooden ballparks in the country, where everyone from Lou Gehrig and Satchel Paige to Bob Dylan has done his thing, the fireworks come after the game, which comes after the cast of ...Spelling Bee has sung the national anthem, and they don’t utter so much as an “Oh, say, can you see…“ until long after the parade that USA Today recently declared one of the 10 best in the USA. The fireworks can be seen from outside the ballpark, but they don’t start until the game ends. The parade, which starts on South Street at West Housatonic and goes on to Wahconah Park, customarily attracts over 50,000 people. According to our friend, Pittsfield Director of Cultural Development, Megan Whilden, here’s why: “Note that Governor Patrick will be marching, as he did last year, as will Senator John Kerry. Also, cheerleaders, color guards, marching bands, giant balloons, bagpipers, the Pittsfield Dukes ballplayers, firetrucks (two years ago we had cartwheeling firefighters!), rollerskating teams, step dancers, Corvettes and antique cars, the cast from Barrington Stage Company’s Youth Theatre production of Suessical, oh, and so much more. Bring a lawn chair! Oy vey!“
Parade
Friday, July 4, 10 - 12.
For directions and parking information (the latter highly recommended) click on the link above.
Baseball and fireworks at Wahconah Park
Friday, July 4, 6:30
Saturday, July 5, 7
39 Alford Road; between Pittsfield and Great Barrington; 413.447.3853
Tickets: $6/general admission; $8.50/box seats
