(Hamilton, NY – June 2013) The Fourth of July isn’t just a one day event in Hamilton has become more than a week long series of special events where the entire area unites to gather in celebration of our nation’s birth.
There will be the normal Saturday Farmer’s Markets in the village green. On the holiday itself, Patti Cook-Blocklin is hard at work assembling special treats and amazing vendors that will tantalize delight the crowd.
Stop by Broad Street on the evening of July 2 and look at the restored vehicles and listen to music.
The Hamilton Theater is working on getting just the right movie for the outdoor movie on July 2. Remember, the movie is at dusk at the Eaton Street ball fields.
An All-Class Reunion barbecue starts at 11:30 a.m. at the high school on July 3. Meals are $7 and there are only 150 available so get there early. After you have finished eating, you can attend the Hamilton Hall of Honor induction ceremony, which starts at 2 p.m. in the auditorium. This year’s inductees are Jeff Clarke ‘79; Marian Burke Blain ‘73; Ed Vantine ‘52; and former teacher and coach Russ Duvernoy. There will be a small reception following the ceremony.
Ben Eberhardt and staff at the Colgate Inn will once again be hosting the annual Block Party on the night of July 3. Visit with old friends and classmates that are in town and meet some new folks as well.
An annual holiday tradition in our community is the holiday parade, which occurs on July Fourth. This year’s theme is “Travel an American Road.” We will be celebrating the numerous and varied roads which our community members have traveled on that help to bring together the vast individual experiences to make our community so unique.
Hamilton resident Ruth Hartshorne will serve as the Grand Traveler. Ruth’s vast and varied contributions to the area include being a founder and teacher of the Chenango Nursery School, founded Education Unlimited to assist in life-long learning for nontraditional age community members, and a member of the Fortnightly Club. She has touched numerous lives through her love of learning and desire for individuals of all ages to have the opportunity to expand and grow.
As part of the parade celebration, there will be a “Greatest Generation Honor Guard” riding in the parade. Members of the military who served during World War II, traveled on wide-ranging roads locally and abroad in service to our nation during a critical time in history.
There will be new entries in the parade and some old favorites as well. The parade leaves the airpark at 10:30 a.m. This causes Route 12B to be blocked off and inaccessible after 10 a.m.. Please make your travel plans accordingly.
Colgate University is once again hosting the annual holiday fireworks at dusk on the Fourth.
With less than a month to go before the events start to happen finishing touches are being made. We look forward to seeing you at our community events. A schedule will be published soon.