Let the celebrations begin!
The summer season is off to a great start - the water is as blue as the sky, the sun is shining, and our seasonal shops are open for business!
The action really heats up this week as our villages prepare to celebrate the long holiday weekend with events for all ages. We invite you to come celebrate with us along the Adirondack Coast; it is really the ideal location for this specific holiday.
It was on the waters and along the shores of our great Lake Champlain that the crucial battles, struggles, and sacrifices were made for America’s freedom. Come celebrate America’s Independence where it all began 200+ years ago. Celebrate our heritage while enjoying the 4th of July festivities.
Here are some events and happenings throughout our communities that will make this extended holiday weekend very entertaining, as well as meaningful. Mark your calendars for what will appeal to you most since there is a lot going on. Have a fabulous 4th!
June 30 - Ticonderoga
The Best 4th in the North kicks off Friday evening along Montcalm Street with a parking lot party! Enjoy music and a street dance in the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour parking lot from 8-11 p.m. Music is provided by Doc Entertainment.
July 1 - Westport
Head to Westport on Saturday for a full-day celebration with a Red, Rock and Roll Independence Day on Saturday.
Find your entire summer beach chair reading at the Library Book Sale on the library lawn from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Scoot down to the Westport Marina between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. where the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum's historic replica canal schooner, the Lois McClure will be dockside on both Saturday and Sunday. This 1862-class sailing canal boat is a full-scale, fully functioning replica. At 88-feet long by 14.5-feet wide, this class of sailing canal boats could hold over 4000 cubic feet of cargo — that's up to 120 tons! Guests are welcome aboard to learn more about these marvelous “transitional” vessels that sailed the open waters as well as squeezed through the canals.
From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. get your own edition of A Tale of Three Gunboats signed by the author Art Cohn, co-founder and senior researcher at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. This will be happening at the Ship’s Store at the Westport Marina and adjacent to where the Lois McClure will be docked. Between noon and 4:00 p.m. a variety of children’s activities and exhibits will be on the Library Lawn and in Ballard Park, practically across from one another on the Main Street.
Also, enjoy strawberry shortcake at the Westport Heritage House, directly across Main Street from Ballard Park, while checking out the Spirit of Place Art Exhibit. This exhibit runs until September 4. You will find outstanding pieces from regional artists who have all been inspired by the Champlain Valley. All items are available for sale in a silent auction bid. Bidding ends July 27 at 7 p.m.
At 2 p.m. head to the library lawn and lace up those racing shoes for either a 5K or 10K run.
At 4 p.m. Westport’s 4th of July Parade will launch. The parade begins at the Essex County Fairgrounds and ends at the Library. Any location along this stretch will give you great viewing.
A pig roast begins at 5 p.m. in Ballard Park followed by music from 5:30 until 7:30.
As dusk approaches head toward the water for the great fireworks display taking place in Lee Park, starting at approximately 9:30 p.m.
The Westport Marina is hosting a Fireworks and Dance Party with music by a Good Guys Production DJ following the fireworks at the Galley Restaurant located at the marina.
July 1 - Ticonderoga
The Best 4th in the North celebration continues at 4 p.m. in Ticonderoga's Bicentennial Park. Enjoy food, vendors and rides in the park until 9 p.m.
New this year, the Ticonderoga Area Farmers Market will be at the park from 4-7 p.m. with a wide variety of local produce, and products.
From 6-9 p.m. enjoy live modern country music provided by Grit n Whiskey.
July 1-4: Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga, America’s Fort, also begins their Independence Day Weekend Celebration on July 1. That celebration will run through the 4th of July. Witness the fight for liberty when the continental army held the line for independence at the great fortress Ticonderoga. Thrill at the power of artillery during cannon demonstrations and march to the beat of the Fife and Drum Corps as they perform patriotic music throughout the weekend. Admission to this special holiday living history event is included in a Fort Ticonderoga general admission ticket.
July 2 - Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga’s Best 4th in the North continues with activities in the Bicentennial Park, food, vendors, rides, from 4-10 p.m.
Beginning at 6 p.m., attend a Patriotic Bash and Dance in the Park with DJ Cruz of Cruz Entertainment.
July 3 - Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga continues its 4 day Independence Day Celebration with live demonstrations, programs and performances by the Fort’s Fife & Drum that will transport you into the spirit of 1777 when America was consumed in the labor of liberty.
July 3 - Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga’s Best 4th in the North continues with the food, vendors, rides in Bicentennial Park from 4-10:30 p.m.
From 4-7p.m. area fire fighters come together to compete in the “Fire Fighter Games.”
Live music begins at 6 p.m. with the Willie Playmore Band featuring classic and modern rock.
July 3 - Willsboro
Fireworks fans will want to head north to Willsboro at dusk to see the great display across from the Paine Soccer Field on Point Road.
July 4
There is a great deal of celebration to choose from on this day!
Fort Ticonderoga continues their Independence Day Celebration. Participate in the fight for freedom when the Northern Department of the Continental Army fought to keep the great fortress of Ticonderoga from falling into British control. Thrill in the experience of being at this historically significant location on this celebratory day.
Enjoy Willsboro’s Fourth of July Downtown Parade that begins at 11 a.m. The parade route begins on Mountain View Drive, extends on Maple Street and comes down Route 22 to end at the Paine Soccer Field. Find a great viewing location along this route.
Ticonderoga’s Best 4th in the North celebration in Bicentennial Park opens at 10:30 a.m.
At 1:45 p.m. begins the Annual Montcalm Mile by the LaChute Road Runners followed by the Fourth of July Parade down Montcalm Street at 2 p.m. The 2017 theme for the parade is “Set Sail-A Nautical Theme.”
From 7:30-11:30 p.m. enjoy Joe McGinness, performing live with country, rock, and his original music.
The Grand Fireworks Display takes place at dusk - approximately 9:45 p.m..
However you celebrate, we hope you join us here — where the origin and spirit of America’s Independence Day began.
Wishing you a happy and safe holiday weekend.