Will you be in Essex, NY for the Independence Day celebrations? I know I will be. It’s been tradition for as long as I can remember and I hate to break it—celebrating the Fourth of July in Essex is always a great experience.

If you don’t know the schedule yet, then take a look below to see all the great activities planned this year!

July 4th (Friday)

8:00 AM: Firecracker Run 6.5 K. Sponsored by NEW Health. Location: Across the Blockhouse road from the Catholic Church. Registration from 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM at NEW Health. ($10.00 cash or check; $11.00 credit card.)

9:15 AM: Children’s Firecracker Fun Run. Registration by the blinking traffic light just prior to the run. Two laps around Beggs Point. Free.
(For further information on the Runs contact Brian Trzaskos at 963-7509.)

10:00 AM: Patriotic Hymn Sing at St. John’s Church. It will be completed in time to view the parade.

10:00 AM to Approximately 1:30 PM: Strawberry Shortcake Sale. Sponsored by the Essex Community Church, the sale will serve shortcake and a beverage for $5. Proceeds will benefit local missions.

10:30 AM: Penelope the Clown will be face painting and making balloon animals in front of the Essex Ice Cream Cafe.

11:00 AM: Parade sponsored by the Essex Fire Department District # 1. This year’s parade will honor the Department’s late Chief, David S. Lansing. The widely popular Police Pipes and Band will pause as they march past the reviewing stand for a brief Ceremony commemorating Chief Lansing and then they will play a couple of tunes.

(The parade steps off Southbound onto State Route 22 from the Block House Road – between NEW Health and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Lineup begins at 10:00 AM. All entries please drive in from the Middle Road. For further information or to enter the parade please call 963-4060.)

Immediately following the parade: The Fire Department will be selling, hot dogs, sausages, hamburgers and cold beverages on Beggs Point.

Immediately following the parade: The Durant family, fun filled games will begin on Beggs Point.

3:00 PM: The annual spelling bee will be held at the Essex Town Hall, conducted by Pam Durant.

3:30-6:30 PM: Dinner in the Field at Essex Farm catered by Griddles. Open to the public; $6/members, $12/guests. BYO beverages, plates, flatware, and a picnic blanket if you wish, and please help spread the word!

6:00 PM-8:00 PM: The Adirondack Art Association‘s second exhibition of the summer”Essex Life” will open Friday, July 4th. Enjoy the opening reception from 6-8 pm.

7:30 PM: Essex Community Concerts presents a concert with organist Carol Williams at the Essex Community Church.

July 5th (Saturday)

Approximately 9:30 PM: The Fireworks extravaganza will begin at its usual location with great viewing from Beggs Point!

Join your friends and neighbors or visit from afar to enjoy a wonderful celebration in Essex, NY! Hope to see you there.

Related articles

• Essex, NY: Fourth of July 2014 (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Essex, NY: Fourth of July 2013 (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Vintage Photo: Lake Champlain from Beggs Park (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
• Independence Day Parade (rosslynredux.com)