Get Ready For Fourth Of July In Amherst

Get ready for two days of patriotic fun for the whole family at the 2012 Amherst July 4th Celebration!

The theme for the parade is Summer Fun, and there is plenty of fun to be had with events and activities between Tuesday, July 3 through Wednesday, July 4.

Amherst Patch will also be sponsoring Face Painting by Krickey the Clown, which will take place at Souhegan High School from 5:30-7:30 pm on Tuesday, July 3. Amherst Patch Editor Robert Michaelson will be there to take photos!

Anyone interested in being in the parade, having a spot on the village green (non-profit organizations) , or helping with the activities should contact Nancy Head at 673-1389 or njhead@myfairpoint.net. Volunteer opportunities abound!

Tuesday, July 3rd (Souhegan High School)

REMAX Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides: 5:30-Dusk

Amherst Fire & EMS vs. Milford Fire Department Softball Game & Food: 6:00-8:00 pm (Bean Baseball Field)

Food! Pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, ice cream, slush: 6:00-9:00 pm

Face Painting by Krickey the Clown: 5:30-7:30 pm 

Roaming Railroad: 6:00-Dusk

Amy Conley & the Calico Toad Band: 8:00 pm – Dusk

Amherst Town Band: 7:00-7:45 pm

Fireworks: Dusk

Wednesday, July 4th (Amherst Village)

Historical Museums Open, Middle Street: 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Children's Bicycle Parade: 10:00 am, with judging at 9:45am (Knight Field on Main St.)

Parade “Step-off” from Wilkins School: 10:00 am 

Village Green Activities including Art Show, Booths, Clowns, Pocket Ladies, Children's Activities, Food, and Old Fashioned Craft Demonstrations: 9:00 am-1:00 pm

Animals on the Green: 9:00 am-12:30 pm (Middle Street End)

Declaration of Independence - Uncle Sam: 9:15 am (Reviewing Stand)

The Music Man Quartet!: 9:45 am (Reviewing Stand)

Antique Auto Show—Church Side of Green: 11:00 am

Reviewing Stand Ceremonies with Dignitaries, Awards, Citizen of the Year: Following the parade

Dog Tales—A Dog Show: Following Ceremony (Reviewing Stand)

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Additional Information:

The Floats:

Floats can be elaborate, built on a flatbed, or they can be simple, a decorated wheelbarrow or wagon. Organizations, individuals, families, and businesses are encouraged to enter a float in the parade. The theme for the floats in this year’s Amherst parade is “Summer Fun.”

Applications for having a float in the parade are available by emailing njhead@myfairpoint.net. All floats should be at Wilkins School and in the spot assigned to them by 9:15 in order to be ready for judging at 9:30 to 9:45. Recognition is given for “Best Overall,” “Best in Theme,” “Most Original,” and “Most Colorful.” There is also a “Chairman’s Choice” that is given out at the discretion of the float chair, Jim Janson. For more information contact Jim Janson, 673-9302 or jjanson@gmail.com.

For Participants:

Parade participants should gather at Wilkins School by 9:15 to 9:30 am. The parade will start at 10:00 a.m.; Boston Post Road is closed at that time. Parking is behind the school only. Bathrooms are available in the school. If it is hot, it is recommended that participants bring water.

Dignitaries gather at the front corner of the entrance driveway near the school sign.

Floats and mini entries are assigned spots in the parking lot between the grassy areas. Marching groups also have assigned spots which they can find with the help of the volunteers wearing orange vests or committee badges. Judging of floats and mini entries will be at 9:30 a.m.

Fire engines will line up opposite Wilkins School on Boston Post Road. Antique cars will line up along New Boston Road. Dogs planning to be in the Puppies on Parade will meet at Spalding Field which is at the corner where Davis Lane, Foundry Street, and Christian Hill meet (just past Clark School).

Political campaigners gather on Jones Road where they will line up in assigned spots. There is a stairway leading from the Wilkins School parking lot to the Jones Road area. All campaign floats should go directly to Jones Road.

The Children’s Bicycle Parade forms on Knight’s Field which is the triangular lawn at the entrance of town when coming from Milford. Judging will be at 9:45 am and the parade will be at 10:00 am. Children riding bicycles must be wearing helmets. Insurance rules prohibit the throwing of anything, including candy, during the parade.

For The Pets

This year on the Fourth of July, we will be having a slightly different type of dog show than the usual kind. Because your dog is very special, you are going to have a chance to tell the town all about him. We want to know all about your dog, age, breed, how you picked a name, and any tricks that you have taught your dog. We want to hear about a story, event or behavior that your dog has that makes him such a loved member of your family. The “show” will take place at the Reviewing Stand following the reviewing ceremony.

Please join us at Spalding Field (the corner of Foundry Street and Davis Lane) on Wednesday, July 4th at 9:50 a.m. with your patriotic pooches. A prize for best dressed dog will be awarded. We will join in the parade and march on to the reviewing stand at the Green. If you would like to march with us, please contact Mary Beyers by email at pmselby@comcast.net or by telephone at 672- 7835.

Amherst Antique Auto Parade

The town of Amherst invites owners of Antique, Classic, and Special Interest vehicles 25 years and older to participate in this year’s 4th of July parade. This year we will be honoring the memory of Sherman Wolf, a long time participant who passed away earlier this year. ( Think Packards !) The parade steps off at 10am on July 4th. Car owners are asked to begin lining up on New Boston Road across from Wilkins School beginning at 8:30 am and not later than 9:30 am.

Proof of insurance is requested and noted for town liability reasons. To address overheating issues- we will ask all the older pre-war cars to line up first and be right behind the fire trucks going first. Cars will receive a high visibility orange windshield letter so your name and car can be announced properly as you drive by the reviewing stand.

Parking for all the Antique cars is provided around the Amherst green after the parade and we encourage owners to park and stay for pictures, show off their vehicles, and accept their prizes.

There will be 6 prize categories with blue ribbons. Period outfits, banners and kids are encouraged!

Pre-register if possible by sending email to coddingtong@jae.com or calling 801-4389. If you cannot pre-register we will get your information when you arrive. For questions please contact either George Coddington at 801-4389 or Noel Ward at 566-0948.