By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
North Attleborough residents will have nearly two weeks of opportunities to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this summer, with Revolutionary War programs, concerts, festivals, fireworks and family activities planned across town.
The “Celebrating Liberty’s Legacy: 250 Years of Independence” commemoration will run from July 4 to July 19, bringing together local organizations, businesses and historical groups to mark the nation’s semi-quincentennial.
To support this celebration, the Town Council voted in April to appropriate $50,000 from free cash. According to a memo from Town Manager Michael Borg, the funding will help cover event operations, public safety details, permit fees and other associated costs.
Borg described the anniversary as a “once-in-a-generation milestone” and said the investment will allow the town to coordinate a robust schedule of civic, cultural and recreational events, while partnering with community organizations, including the North Attleboro Firefighters Kids Day Festival.
“The administration views this investment as consistent with the town’s responsibility to mark a historic national milestone in a manner worthy of North Attleborough’s community character, its history and its residents,” Borg wrote.
Opening ceremony and historic sites
The celebration will officially begin July 4 at noon with ceremony at Veterans Park during the North Attleborough Farmers Market. The event will feature a ceremonial bell ringing, remarks from local and state officials, and appearances by Town Poet Laureate Kayla Roy and Town Crier Leo Pusateri.
Historical programming continues July 5 with an open house at the Woodcock Garrison House and Gulski Memorial Garden from noon to 3 p.m. Visitors can tour the historic property, learn about the signing of the Declaration of Independence, meet Colonial-era reenactors in the Woodcock Burial Grounds and witness the unveiling of a historic church bell.
On July 12, residents can visit the Old Towne Church and Powder House for an exhibit featuring local historian G.A. “Paolo” DiGregorio, who will share stories and artifacts connected to the Revolutionary era.
Library programs explore Revolutionary America
Richards Memorial Library will host a series of lectures, exhibits and educational programs examining life during the American Revolution.
The lineup begins July 6 with foodways historian Stacy Booth, who will discuss the rations of Continental soldiers and compare them with meals prepared by Massachusetts households during the war. DiGregorio will return July 7 to present a program on Revolutionary War espionage, intelligence gathering and the spies who worked on both sides of the conflict.
On July 8, Community College of Rhode Island history professor Suzanne McCormack will examine women’s political activism from 1776 to 1848.
Additional library programs include a July 13 Sons of the American Revolution pop-up exhibit featuring Revolutionary War clothing, munitions and artifacts, as well as a virtual presentation by authors Loretta Chase and Susan Holloway Scott discussing everyday life in 1776.
On July 14, public historian and National Park Service Ranger Allison Horrocks will explore how people living away from the front lines experienced the American Revolution.
Additional information, including event times, games and film screenings at the library during these two weeks can be found at rmlonline.org.
Music, art and downtown celebrations
The commemoration will also highlight the town’s arts and cultural community.
North Attleborough Cultural Council’s summer concert series will feature an expanded format this year, with several performances incorporated into the broader celebration and Kids Day festivities.
The series opens July 2 with a performance by the 60-piece North Attleborough Community Band at the Town Hall gazebo. A week later, the celebration will switch from the American Revolution to the British Invasion when 4EverFab, a Beatles tribute band, performs July 9.
Artists will gather July 11 for the fourth annual Paint North Attleborough Beautiful plein air competition at the Farmers Market. The event will coincide with an encampment and demonstration by the 13th Continental Regiment/Rehoboth Minutemen, who will recreate aspects of colonial military life.
That evening, residents can sample offerings from a variety of vendors during a Food Truck Festival while enjoying a performance by the Dixie Diehards traditional jazz band.
Downtown will take center stage July 15 during Liberty & Local, a block party organized by the North Attleborough Small Business Collaborative. The event will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and feature local restaurants, artisan vendors, live music, shopping, patriotic-themed activities and family entertainment.
Race, parade and Kids Day finale
Recreational offerings include the Twice is Nice 2.5- and 5-mile road race on July 12 at North Attleborough Middle School. Participants can run or walk either course while enjoying live music along the route, frozen pops at the finish and race-day discounts at local businesses.
The final four days of the commemoration will coincide with the 46th annual North Attleboro Firefighters Kids Day Festival, scheduled for July 16 through July 19. The event will feature carnival rides, food, music, two nights of fireworks and family activities.
A highlight of the weekend will be the annual Kids Day Fire Truck Parade on July 18. Organizers plan to incorporate performers, musicians, floats and community organizations alongside the traditional lineup. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at Mason Field and travel through downtown.
That evening, the North Attleborough Community Band will perform before and during the fireworks display, helping bring the 250th celebration to a close.
Additional information about the celebration and a complete schedule of events is available on the Town of North Attleborough’s website, nattleboro.com.