Somehow, in the mid-20th Century, the little Town of Andover, New Hampshire became a destination for thousands on the Fourth of July. A combination of scheduled events and functions: all-day flea markets, greasy food stations, raffles, patriotic music, the longest parade anyone has seen north of Boston and top-flight fireworks give this celebration a life of its own. 

 

For those of us who have experienced many Fourths in Andover, there is a comforting sameness to the day. The ladies from Andover Service Club still serve up pieces of home-made pie; Margo Coolidge sings the National Anthem as Boy Scouts raise the stars & stripes; a brass band plays patriotic themes and marches.

 

Over the public address system at the viewing stand, the Master of Ceremonies sets a proud, patriotic tone, and a small-town ambiance transports us back a century to simpler times.

 

No display of pride, tradition or patriotism is corny here. At noon, bells ring throughout town as the parade starts its course down North Street to Main Street, streets lined by applauding thousands. The Drum Corps from Concord's Becktash Temple (a branch of the Shriners and Masons that operates 22 hospitals that have served more than 500,000 children at no cost) proceeds near the front.

 

A local fife & drum unit provides a Revolutionary air.



Three in-coming Proctor students perform as part of the Andover One-Wheelers unicycling team.

 

The skirl of bagpipes drew sustained applause and cheers!

 

Andover's sensational kid-band, the Long Tail Monkeys featuring new keyboard player Carl Hubbard, played from a flatbed.



Andover's Fourth of July celebration attracts a diverse crowd unified by a love of small-town America. Perhaps one will go on to become President some day....  (Perhaps Nelson Makechnie!)