Town Day, Fourth of July Festivities Near

The new parking lot at Griffin Park is going to get a major traffic load on June 30, as hundreds of visitors are expected to pack in for Windham's annual Town Day.

The celebratory summer event will start at 12 p.m., at which time a free cookout will take place until 2:30 p.m. at the park.

During that time, the Windham Community Band will also be playing at the park. 

Starting at 1:00 p.m. a bike parade around the ball field will begin, followed by field games until 2:30 p.m. For the parade, kids are asked to decorate their bikes, wagons and doll strollers.

Mike Sorter, who has been volunteering to host the games for Town Day for 30 years, will also be honored at this year's event.

Windham is also known for preparing not one but two fireworks celebrations around this time of year, the first of which will take place at 9:00 p.m. at Windham High School. The parking lot will open at 5:30 p.m. for the fireworks, with hot dogs, soda and Kona Ice for sale.

A local band, the Hot Tamales, will also be playing music starting at 7 p.m. at WHS.

The second fireworks celebration is sponsored by the Cobbett's Pond Improvement Association and takes place on July 3 to coincide with the Independence Day holiday.

That fireworks show will actually be two small celebrations, with the first launching off from the small pond in front of the Castleton at 9:15 p.m.

The second celebration will launch at 10:00 p.m. and will be held at the big pond in front of the dam property.

It will not be possible to view these shows form the Town Beach.

The rain date for the fireworks is July 7.

Many towns around the state have required late pushes to fund annual fireworks celebrations.

caused significant financing problems.

in March to the town's annual July 4 celebration.

during the Recreation Department budget meeting in December, but the board elected to maintain the funding for the display.