HANOVER — Hanover may have had to cancel its annual Fourth of July parade but the town is still channeling residents’ creativity with another project.
The medium? Pink plastic flamingos.
The town’s Parks and Recreation Department has given out more than 60 of lawn ornaments to residents and town departments, which they will then decorate and place at various locations in downtown Hanover.
“We’ve required them to decorate them patriotically somehow but without political inferences,” said Judy Stevens, adult/senior program manager at the Hanover Parks and Recreation department. “We wanted families to be able to do something.”
In West Windsor, residents are being encouraged to decorate their homes in red, white and blue by the town’s Independence Day Committee from Friday-Sunday. The town canceled their multi-day celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Suggestions include posters, banners and streamers of all kinds and, of course, American Flags. There will be decorations on mailboxes, barns, fences, homes and businesses,” organizers wrote in a news release. “The show of American pride will get everyone in the spirit of the holiday as they go by.”
Here’s a look at other events that are taking place in the next few days.
■The Quechee and Wilder Libraries will hold an online community reading of Fredrick Douglass’ speech “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?” at noon. Email info@quecheelibrary.org for Zoom link.
■Watch Fern Meyer’s documentary about Saint Gaudens National Historical Site, Enchanted Hills: Legacy of an Art Colony, on NHPBS Channel 11.1 at 8 p.m. It will also be shown at 3 p.m. Saturday on NHExplore Channel 11.2. For a copy of the film, email Meyers at fmsilverwood@gmail.com.
■Canaan will set off fireworks behind Canaan Village Pizza near the town green at dusk. People who park in the village are asked to stay near their cars wherever they park and maintain six-foot social distancing guidelines with other family units. The rain date will be Sunday.
■Billings Farm & Museum will begin posting virtual Fourth of July-themed activities to its website, billingsfarm.org/billings-farm-at-home, including readings of historical speeches and crafts.
■From 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the Plainfield Community Church (1094 Route 12A) will begin offering strawberry shortcake and pie for curbside pickup. $5-$10. moore.gull@gmail.com.
■The Enfield Shaker Museum will host its annual pie sale beginning at 11 a.m. until sold out. No preorders. Pies are $20 each. shakermuseum.org.
■The Barnard Fire Department is having a drive-thru chicken barbecue beginning at 11:30 a.m. Pre-ordering is available by calling Fire Chief, Scott Mills at 802-234-9073 or drive-ins are welcome on that day until the chicken is gone. Payment will be taken at pick-up time, cash or check made out to Barnard Fire and Rescue. People are asked to remain in their cars while in the drive-thru line. Price is $10 for a half-chicken and includes choice of potato or macaroni salad.
■The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire is hosting a community reading of Fredrick Douglass’ speech “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?” at 5 p.m. at Broad Street Park in Claremont. racialhealingworkinggroup@gmail.com.
■Three Upper Valley residents took part in a statewide reading of Frederick Douglass’ “What to the slave is your Fourth of July?” which will be broadcast at 7 p.m. on N.H. PBS and 10 p.m. on N.H. Explore. It will also be shown at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday on N.H. Explore. For more information, visit nhpbs.org/frederickdouglass.
■Friends of the Morrill Homestead’s annual “Minis for Morrill Auction,” will go live on Sunday. The auction, which continues through July 12, features miniature paintings by area artists and the proceeds benefit the Justin Morrill State Historic Site in Strafford. The paintings can also be viewed in person at the site from 1-5 p.m. July 4-5 and July 10-11. biddingowl.com/JustinMorrillHomestead.
■The Norwich Public Library will hold an online community reading of Fredrick Douglass’ speech “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?” from 6:30-7:30 p.m. A facilitated community discussion will follow. Visit norwichlibrary.org/douglassreading for Zoom login information.
■Library Arts Center: Pastel Society of New Hampshire Member Show virtual exhibit. View at libraryartscenter.org through July 28.
■ArtisTree Community Arts Center: En plein air exhibit “Vermont and The Great Outdoors” on display through Aug. 15 at 2095 Pomfret Road. Gallery open 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday. Visitors are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. artistreevt.org.
■Virtually visit Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park Sculptor-in-Residence Zoe Dufour from noon-1 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday via a livestream on the “Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park” Facebook page.
■Woodstock: Wednesday, 3-6 p.m., Woodstock Green, Route 4. Masks encouraged. woodstockvt.com.
■Lebanon: 3-7 p.m., Thursdays, Colburn Park, 51 N. Park St. Masks required. lebanonfarmersmarket.org.
■Royalton: 3-6 p.m., Thursdays, Town Green, South Windsor Street, South Royalton. Facebook: “Royalton Farmers Market.”
■Chelsea: 3-6 p.m., Fridays, North Common, Route 110 and Route 113. Masks encouraged. chelseafarmersmarket.org.
■Hartland: 4-7 p.m., Fridays, Hartland Public Library, 153 Route 5. Order online Monday-Wednesday and pick up Friday. Masks required. hartlandfarmersmarket.com.
■Newport: 3-6 p.m., Fridays, Town Common, North Main St. Masks encouraged. Facebook: “Newport Farmers Market.”
■Norwich: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays, 281 Route 5. Masks encouraged. norwichfarmersmarket.org.
■Randolph: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays, 44 S. Main St. Masks required. randfarmmarket@yahoo.com.
■Canaan: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sundays, Town Common, Route 4/Route 118. Masks encouraged. Facebook: “Canaan Farmers and Artisans’ Market.”
■American Precision Museum: Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 196 Main St., Windsor. $5-$10, $20 for family, children 6 and under free. Masks required. americanprecision.org.
■Bradford Historical Society Museum: Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon, Third floor of the Bradford Academy Building at 172 N. Main St. New exhibit: “What’s Cooking, Washing and Sewing?” Masks requested. 802-222-4423, 802-222-9621, lccoffin@charter.net.
■Billings Farm & Museum: Open Thursday-Monday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 69 Old River Road, Woodstock. $4-$16, children 2 and under free. Masks required for visitors older than 2. billingsfarm.org.
■Hartford Historical Society: Open Fridays, 9:30-11:30 a.m. and by appointment, 1461 Maple St., Hartford Village. Volunteers needed for oral history project. 802-296-3132 or info@hartfordhistoricalsociety.com.
■Vermont Institute of Natural Science: Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 149 Natures Way, Quechee. $5-$10, children 3 and under free. Masks required. vinsweb.org.
