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August 2006
July 4th Celebration
By: Larry Duffy
Creative Director
The sun comes up and the preparations begin. Anticipation is in the air as a small contingent of organizers and volunteers make the final arrangements for a grand day. Back home families are putting the finishing touches on their floats or hanging those last streamers on the kids’ wagons. The old Model-A is getting a final coat of polish, and in an Engine House on the other side of town, the big red fire truck is getting the same treatment. Somewhere down the highway a fleet of busses approach bringing a battalion of groggy, travel-weary teen musicians who are on a mission to give a town of strangers a performance of sight and sound they won’t soon forget. Its parade day and everyone has a job to do. Even the spectators have their tasks. The flags and bunting are being draped on the porches and the lemonade is prepared. A group of little girls chooses a prime location from which their teddy bears will sit in tiny rockers to view the passing spectacle. Other children are staking their claims along the route like prospectors. "Any candy thrown between that tree and this flower pot is mine, agreed?"
Down the alley a young boy is throwing snap n’ pops impatiently awaiting the black powder extravaganza that will come much later. Across the lake the pyrotechnic wizards have spent the night guarding their arsenal and will spend the entire day toiling under the hot July sun in an effort to dazzle New Town by lighting the sky on fire.
Meanwhile back in the center of town the parade participants are gathering. The band has arrived and are calmly, professionally preparing. Tubas and drums are carefully unpacked and the uniforms are being put on. Hot, heavy coats and black hats with chin straps. Uniforms not designed for comfort but for tradition and decorum only.
Riders on horseback work to calm their mounts amidst the controlled confusion as the procession begin to take shape. Everyone takes their places as the judges gather at their reviewing stand and the parade is about to begin. A policeman hits the lights on his massive Harley Davidson and is ready to lead the long line of anxious revelers.
An enthusiastic crowd has gathered in front of the Town Hall waving flags and taking photos. Excited to be witnessing the first of what is sure to be a lasting tradition in New Town.
In courtyards on the other side of town, people are watering their flowers, or cleaning the grill in preparation for the cookout later in the day. Children are playing on the sidewalks while they wait. First they hear the drums faintly off in the distance. Then the familiar strains of a patriotic tune by Sousa can be heard as the brass and woodwinds join in. Gradually the music becomes louder and everyone realizes that something very special is approaching. Then they turn the corner. A one hundred and fifty piece marching band performing with military precision. They file by in a rigid, disciplined line never missing a beat as the sweat pours off their brows. They’re followed by an old fashioned bicycle, a juggler on stilts and the best part of any hometown parade, the bikes, floats, wagons and dogs that have been lovingly decorated by families who have taken great pride in their community.
The annual New Town 4th of July Parade has already become an amazing event. It will be as good but it will never be better than the first. The scale of the parade was perfect and the fervor of a fledgling community’s efforts was appreciated by spectators and participants alike.
Between the parade and the fireworks, New Town was alive with activity. Residents hosted family barbeques or gathered at the amphitheater to enjoy Rudy’s Ribs or Torta Della’s Pizza. Marsalas was buzzing as everyone grabbed the steaks for the grill or deli items for a picnic by the fountains. A group of boys played soccer and grandparents played washers with their grandchildren. Over at the Town Hall a group of children played chess with the intensity of masters who have played for years. The lakes and canals were filled with kayakers and others trying to beat the heat by floating on rafts, while scattered along the shoreline were fishermen young and old.
Finally after a long day of fun, dusk approached. As the sun went down more and more people came to the amphitheater and surrounding areas and found their plot of ground from which to view the fireworks. As the crowd waited for dark, they were entertained with live music. Antsy children ran around in front of the stage eager for the show to begin.
Finally the lights went down and the crowd sat quietly in the dark. A powerful and familiar voice came over the speakers as Johnny Cash recited his stirring rendition of "Ragged Old Flag". A simple reminder of what this country has gone through to get here that should be appreciated by every American regardless of political beliefs. And then it began, first the music and next the light. The streams and flashes of light that danced to the music as the artillery shells shot up and exploded in a glorious display of sound and vision. An astounding array of golds, greens, reds and purples dazzled the crowd with a jaw-dropping bombardment. It seemed it would never end. Just when you thought you had seen it all, it erupted again with spectacular flamboyance intensifying relentlessly until finally the crescendo peaked with a deafening explosion and then it was over.
Everyone who was here on July 4th, 2006 witnessed something precious and unique. On a day when we celebrate the birth of a nation, we witnessed the birth of a spirited new community called New Town.
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