Saxtons River Fourth of July celebration

SAXTONS RIVER, Vt. – The Saxtons River Fourth of July Committee is excited to announce the details of this year’s celebration, which is scheduled to take place Friday, July 4, on Main Street in the Village of Saxtons River, Vt. Families have loved spending the Fourth of July in Saxtons River for more than 75 years.

The Fourth of July in Saxtons River is so much more than just a parade, it’s an experience. This year’s theme is “Where magic happens!” Everyone is welcome, and the best parade entry will receive a $500 prize. Entry forms can be found at www.srvtfourth.org/parade.

The day starts with the Firecracker 5K run, followed by the parade led by Grand Marshall Troy Wunderle. Then there’s firefighters water polo, cotton candy, a dunk tank, hula-hoop contest, egg toss, bounce house, and other kids’ games, great food, live music with local favorites The Gaslight Tinkers and Ezra Holloway up on the bandstand, ending with pickup softball games at the Rec Center.

We’re excited to announce this year’s grand marshal will be Troy Wunderle, a proud native of Vermont and a former international performer with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Troy’s antics have been featured on the Disney channel, The Today Show, Martha Stewart, Chronicle, Fetch, Fox and Friends, and America’s Funniest Home Videos. He is a juried artist through the Vermont State Arts Council, and is the 2022 recipient of the American Circus Educators Excellence in Circus Education Award.

Up on the bandstand after the parade, The Gaslight Tinkers will delight attendees. The Gaslight Tinkers’ blend of global rhythms creates a joyously danceable sound around a core of traditional New England old-time and Celtic fiddle music, merging boundless positive energy with melody and song. Since its formation in 2012, the band has lit up the East Coast, West Coast, and the Caribbean, headlining clubs, dances, and major festivals. The sound and energy of I-Shea, Clara, Garrett, Elie, and Peter are universally irresistible. Following The Gaslight Tinkers will be Saxton River’s own Ezra Holloway. Holloway is a genre-blending musician currently attending the Music Conservatory at Purchase College. Known for his high-energy live shows and emotionally resonant songwriting, Holloway combines elements of rock, pop, punk, and alternative music. After making a strong debut with his EP “A Moment in Time” in 2023, he returns with his latest EP “Fall Apart,” releasing July 1.

Local artists Anna Clark and Marci Cruthirds have teamed up to create this year’s collectors’ T-shirt design. The three-color design captures the magic that happens in our beloved village, and is certain to sell out. The first opportunity to get one will be at the Saxtons River Village Market on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. T-shirts will also be available at the street fair on the fourth, while supplies last. The cost helps cover expenses associated with this day-long event.

Embracing a reuse mindset to keep textiles out of landfills, again this year Clark and Cruthirds will hand silk screen a one-color version of this year’s T-shirt design on items already owned, which can be a T-shirt, a tote bag, a pillowcase, scarf, and more. T-shirts, or other items can be dropped off at the Saxtons River Village Market on Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and then picked up on the fourth, at the SR4 T-shirt booth. A small suggested donation will help support this amazing day.

This year, the pie contest will be a little different in that our panel of judges will be tasting pies and selecting the winners the evening of Thursday, July 3. Winners will be announced following the parade on the next day. Also new for this year, we’ll have a Young Baker Award, for the best pie from a baker under 18.

For a full schedule of events, visit www.srvtfourth.org/schedule.