07/06/2026
OUR THANKS from “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth” 2026
Our sincere appreciation to everyone who made Brattleboro’s 53rd annual free family Independence Day celebration a spirited success.
The all-volunteer “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth” citizens committee and town Recreation & Parks Department were able to present the event only because of the generosity of countless individuals and organizations that donated their time, money and talent, including:
— Brattleboro’s Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which not only lead our parade with its giant American flag but also covered all costs of the march.
— Nearly 50 parade entries, including the Brattleboro American Legion and Brattleboro Union High School bands, a diverse spectrum of community groups and our finale personality, Alfred Hughes Jr. — the latter who was quoted in a New York Times national Fourth of July roundup: “Mr. Hughes said this year’s theme was ‘Lady Liberty enlightening the world.’ But he said he wasn’t going dress up like the Statue of Liberty. ‘Of course not — I’m an original,’ he said. ‘What I’m going to wear is something that says freedom.’”
— Parade marshals Patrick Moreland and Jan Anderson and the staff and families at the town Recreation & Parks, Police, Fire and Public Works departments.
— All our citizen, civic and corporate donors, including our main sponsors at the Brattleboro Elks, Casella Waste Systems, C&S Wholesale Grocers, The Richards Group and Vermont Country Deli and supporters at Brattleboro Hearing Center, Brattleboro Historical Society, Brattleboro Kiwanis Club, Brattleboro Savings & Loan, Champion Overhead Door, Costello, Valente & Gentry, Lynde Well Drilling and Trust Company of Vermont.
— And finally, everyone who, attending festivities and fireworks at Living Memorial Park, donated spare dollars and change that may seem small but annually add up.
We are the second and third generations of our family to lead the all-volunteer organizing committee and appreciate everyone’s help in ensuring this community tradition continues.
The O’Connor/Amidon family
for “By the People: Brattleboro Goes Fourth”
Attached photo: A 14-foot papier-mâché replica of the Statue of Liberty honors Richard Morris Hunt, the Brattleboro-born designer of the landmark’s pedestal. Photo by Seth Thomas/Town of Brattleboro
