You won’t have to leave the valley to have a great time celebrating our nation’s birthday. In Rochester, the Fourth of July celebration will be Thursday, July 4, beginning with the annual Pierce Hall Independence Day Dash, which is both a 5K running race and walking event, at the Rochester School.
Registration for the 5K walk-run and the children’s one-mile walk-run will begin at 8:30 a.m. behind the school gym. The adult walk-run will begin at 9 a.m., with the children’s race beginning after the adult event starts. Spectator-friendly courses are generally on grass or dirt roads and vary from flat to short, but steep hills.
There will be water, awards, and refreshments for the participants at the finish line. T-shirts celebrating the run will be for sale for adults and children and all proceeds help support the Pierce Hall Community Center.
The theme for this year’s big parade is “Community Spirit,” and floats, marching entries, horses, antique and classic cars, and more, will head north on Route 100 through the village, beginning at 11 a.m. A panel of judges stationed in front of the Park House will award first-, second-, and third-place trophies.
Following the parade, there will be the traditional reading of the Declaration of Independence.
The Route 100 Lions Club and Pierce Hall Community Center will work together to serve up the popular chicken barbecue with all the trimmings beginning at noon on the park in Rochester village, where there will also be live music by the local jam band “Whoever Shows Up,” and games for kids organized by the local Girl Scout troop.
To request an entry form for the parade, and for more information about the events following, call Martha Slater at 767-3025.
