BRATTLEBORO — Rain fell hard at dawn on the Fourth of July, and it looked then as though there was no way a parade would be held in Brattleboro.
However, the organizers at “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth” had faith in the weather forecast and that the rain would let up by the 10 a.m. parade time.
They made the call that the show would go on a little after 8 a.m. Roughly an hour later participants started gathering at Brattleboro Union High School for the 41st annual parade.
The ranks of marchers and spectators were smaller this year, as a now-light rain fell throughout the morning. But the parade, and the rest of the day's events - including the fireworks show at Living Memorial Park - were held despite the less-than-perfect conditions.
The all-volunteer organizing committee, losing its longtime sole fireworks sponsor with the pending closure of Vermont Yankee, was collecting money from spectators at the parade and evening park events in the hope of continuing the annual show.
According to spokesman Kevin O'Connor, about $1,200 was collected on the Fourth, which sounds significant until you consider that the fireworks show alone costs $6,000.
If you missed the fireworks, or if you wanted to stay in and keep dry, O'Connor said you can still help make sure there are Fourth of July activities next year in Brattleboro. Mail tax-deductible contributions to “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth,” P.O. Box 1112, Brattleboro, VT 05302.