BRATTLEBORO — A century after Brattleboro celebrated itself with a 1912 theatrical extravaganza called the “Brattleboro Pageant,” the “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth” citizens committee is planning a commemorative July 4 parade.
The volunteer organizers of the town's 39th annual Independence Day celebration received everything from pocket change to two $1,000 checks during a special WTSA radio broadcast in front of Main Street's River Garden last Friday.
The committee, working with the town Recreation & Parks Department, is seeking to collect $13,500 to continue the town's tradition of holding a July 4 parade downtown and public festivities and fireworks at Living Memorial Park.
To curb expenses and allow the community to give more to other causes, the all-volunteer effort is limiting spending to local bands, appropriate liability insurance and security and fireworks.
Brattleboro's 2012 Independence Day celebration will honor the community's past, present, and future with a variety of free family activities.
On the morning of July 4, the 39th annual downtown parade will feature not only its usual bands and community marchers, but also several recreations of scenes from the 1912 Brattleboro Pageant, which dramatized the community's history and hopes before a crowd of thousands at the Connecticut River's now flooded Island Park.
Organizers will work with the Brattleboro Historical Society to share photographs and memories of the 100-year-old event.
In addition, the 10 a.m. march along Canal and Main streets will feature updates of the Pageant's opening “Sunrise Song of the Prophet” and closing “Brattleboro Beautiful” finale.
A century ago, for example, children representing the future ended the program by circling around Brattleboro-born New York opera star Mary Howe; this year, local youth and their supporters will carry messages of empowerment alongside present-day personality Alfred Hughes Jr.
The parade will be followed by an afternoon and evening of free public festivities at Living Memorial Park, with concerts by the Brattlyn Brothers and the Peter Miles Band leading up to a fireworks finale.
The group hopes to raise the rest of its financial goal in the next several weeks. To give, people can contact Timothy O'Connor at 254-5437 or write checks to “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth” and send them to By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth, P.O. Box 1112, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
People with questions or interested in participating in the parade can email [email protected].