Events begin at NARA Park on Saturday at 3 p.m. and run until the fireworks end well after dark. Spend the afternoon enjoying music played by a DJ as well as children’s games and bounce houses. Live music begins at 8 p.m. from the Air Force Band of Liberty Concert Band and runs through the fireworks exhibit at around 9:30.
Haberman said one of the most appealing aspects of Acton’s celebration comes at the very end, when the audience walks along the Town Forest trails back to the parking lot: Children in particular love the thrill of walking through the lantern-lit forest at night.
Needham begins the party on Friday evening with a family picnic and concert on Memorial Field. Numerous eateries in town are offering discounts for picnickers, see www.needham300.org for the listing. The festivities continue Saturday with an afternoon of games and another outdoor concert. Sunday evening features food vendors, face painting, pony rides, and a concert by the Reminisants at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks.
Monday’s events begin with a 5K road race starting at 8:30 a.m. starting at the Needham Public Library, a flag raising on the town common at 9, followed by the grand parade. From then into the afternoon, the town hosts food vendors, children’s games, adult baseball, and the opening of the town’s time capsule. The celebration is hosted by the Needham Exchange Club, which covers the cost through donations.
“As part of this yearlong sequence of events, we’re placing an extra special emphasis on our celebration of July 4th this year,’’ said event cochair Richard Creem, who will help serve as parade marshal. “The Fourth is part and parcel of the fabric of Needham life and one of the rites of summer.’’
