Annual July 4th celebration and fireworks moved to Sunday

By Jay Turner

Update: Due to the threat of downpours associated with Hurricane Arthur, the Canton Recreation Department has rescheduled the town’s annual July 4th celebration and fireworks display to Sunday, July 6. The 47th annual road race, however, will go on as scheduled starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Canton Town Club.

Tomorrow, July 4, is Independence Day, and with it comes the return of two popular town traditions: the July 4^th celebration and fireworks display and the 47th annual road race and fun run.

The celebration, which is sponsored by the Recreation Department, will kick off at 5:30 p.m. at the Irish Cultural Centre of New England, located at 200 New Boston Drive (off Route 138). The event will feature many of the usual favorites, including inflatables, face painting, and other free activities for kids, as well as a free live concert starting at 6:30 p.m. and a fireworks display commencing shortly after 9 p.m.

Food and drink will be available for purchase from the Irish Cultural Centre, and residents are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs; however, coolers are prohibited and bags will be checked upon arrival.

There will be plenty of parking available, and golf carts will be used to shuttle those who have difficulty walking from the parking area to the ICC grounds.

“Last year, there was some concern with the distance that you had to walk to get to the site,” acknowledged Recreation Director Janet Maguire, “but we have taken specific steps this year to have the golf carts there for those who may need it.”

Maguire said the event promises to be fun for the whole family and she is hoping for a big turnout.

“I would encourage people to come and check it out,” she said. “It’s an unobstructed view of the fireworks; it’s a great location. If they haven’t given it a shot, they should definitely come give it a try this year.”

In addition to the celebration and fireworks display, residents are also invited to participate in the annual July 4^th five-mile road race and two-mile fun run, which starts and finishes at the Canton Town Club on Bailey Street. Race registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the race itself will kick off at 9:30. The cost to participate is $10 per runner or $5 for the fun run (ages 12 and under).

Runners can register for the road race at www.cantonrec.com or by calling the Recreation Department at 781-821-5030. Trophies will be awarded to the male and female winners in each age group.

The Recreation Department would also like to encourage residents to visit cantonrec.com for information on its many summer programs and activities, including day camps, sports programs, swimming lessons, performing arts workshops, and much more. The website also has information on the department’s free summer concert series and free playground program.

The concerts kick off July 9 with the American Legion Band and will continue for the next five Wednesdays with a different act each week. All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Rodman Administration Building.

The drop-in playground program runs Monday through Friday (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) until August 22 at the Devoll, Kennedy, and Messinger playgrounds. Open to all Canton children in eighth grade or below, the program is staffed by the Rec. Department’s playground leaders and offers a variety of “arts and crafts, sports, new games, and special events in an informal setting.” The program is closed tomorrow, July 4.

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