By Owen Boss
Staff Writer
With the Fourth of July falling on a Sunday this year, celebrations across the Valley can expect larger crowds, and event planners hope to dazzle them with parades, food, activities, music and naturally, fireworks.
And with weather experts predicting that hot, sunny weather will last right through the weekend and into Monday's "official" observance (government offices closed), area residents have a lot to choose from.
Among those looking forward to a bigger turnout than usual Sunday is David Grout, coordinator of Amherst's Fourth of July celebration, who said warm weather and a weekend holiday suggest that residents looking to participate will be ready earlier.
"It just allows us to extend the day," Grout said. "We love it when the holiday falls on a weekend because it means that our celebration is going to be busy from the start of the day right on through to the fireworks."
Amherst parade coordinator Kevin Joy said that local parades are usually a bigger draw when a holiday falls in the middle of the week, because people tend to stay home rather than travel. This year, though, economic troubles could keep many at home.
"I've talked to a lot of people, and I think that this year will be unique because of the economy," Joy said. "They should be more likely to stay close to home for their celebrations."
Indeed, "close to home" offers plenty of attractions, including an Independence Day concert in Deerfield at 3 p.m. Sunday next to the Memorial Hall Museum; the 63rd annual Chesterfield Fourth of July Parade; in Northampton, the swearing-in of 30 new citizens in a ceremony at 11 a.m. Sunday on the lawn at the Hampshire County Courthouse; and a boat parade on Lake Wyola in Shutesbury at dusk.
Once Sunday's festivities are over, many people will be off work and able to rest a bit on Monday, the official observed holiday, when local, state and federal government offices are closed, as are banks, the stock market, and PVTA bus service.
Amherst plans
In Amherst, the annual parade honors Victor Keedy and Joe Osicki, former members of the town's Parade Committee, both of whom died this spring. They have been named Grand Marshals in Remembrance.
This year's parade begins at 3 p.m. at the intersection of College and Pleasant streets and travels through downtown Amherst, ending at the intersection of Triangle and East Pleasant streets.
Family-friendly activities begin at 5 p.m. with a Children's Carnival near the University of Massachusetts McGuirk Stadium, featuring entertainment, and continue with a concert by Zoe Darrow and the Fiddleheads at 6:15 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m., and are visible far and wide.
Chesterfield's famously traditional small-town parade, which sets off at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Bryant and South streets, is followed by a chicken barbecue, firefighters' muster, food stands, a display by the Hilltown Artisans, a Heritage Pops concert, family baseball, a magic show and balloon-sculpting.
In South Hadley, the local Lions Club will sell hot dogs and offer live music and games beginning at 6 p.m. at the Michael Smith Middle School, followed by fireworks at dusk.
Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.
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