Amherst, Hadley doing it big on 4th

By Phyllis Lehrer
Staff Writer

Published on June 26, 2009

The biggest and brightest fireworks in 41 years is promised for the Fourth of July to help celebrate the Amherst 250th and Hadley 350th anniversaries

"We will have 50 percent more fireworks. It will be a longer, bigger and better show than we have had in past years," said David Grout, special events coordinator for Amherst's Leisure Services and Supplemental Education department.

Leisure services and the Amherst and Hadley anniversary committees are jointly hosting the 41st annual Independence Day festivities behind the University of Massachusetts Alumni Stadium.

The festivities begin at 5 p.m. on campus following a downtown parade that begins at 3 p.m., sponsored by the Fourth of July Parade Committee.

The event offers a children's carnival from 5 to 6:45 p.m., field races at 7:15 p.m., an Atkins Farms Country Market Blueberry Pie Eating Contest at 8 p.m. and hot air balloon rides, bounce houses, sand art, rock-climbing, face-painting and a bubble gum-blowing competition in between.

Entertainment includes the Stateline Barbershop Quartet, Henry the Juggler and Hoopoe the Clown. The Amherst Community Band will perform at 8:15 p.m.

Grout said the usual fair food will be available, including fried dough, steak sandwiches, pizza, burgers, fries, smoothies, and ice cream from Ben and Jerry's.

Fireworks by Atlas Pyro Vision Productions of Jaffrey N.H., is expected to begin at 9:30 p.m.

For information about shuttle transportation to the event contact Pat Wagner, at 537-5626. Buses are expected to leave about 20 minutes after the event.

The major sponsors are the Northampton Cooperative Bank, the University of Massachusetts, the Amherst 250th and the Hadley 350th committees. Other sponsors include the Hampshire Bicycle Exchange, Classic Chevrolet, Whole Foods and Ben and Jerry's.

The cost is $30,000 and donations are still needed. Checks, made payable to Amherst Fireworks Fund, can be sent to: LSSE, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, 010102.

Grout said 15 to 20 more volunteers are needed to help with set up, to oversee the games and to clean up. Call 259-3267 to help.

For information, visit www.lsse.org or call 259-3067.