The city's annual fireworks display won't be a just visual event, but a complete experience.
Haverhill's Independence Day celebration begins at on Saturday, July 3, at 5 p.m. at Haverhill Stadium on Lincoln Avenue, with events leading up to the 9 p.m. pyrotechnics display, when $30,000 worth of rockets will burst in air.
Admission is $1.
According to Vincent Ouellette, Haverhill's human services director, this year's show will be designed with the beat of a unique music mix containing contemporary and traditional music. This year, there will be virtually no downtime between explosions.
"With the increase in fireworks there's more bursts in the air at one time," Ouellette said.
The show is expected to last about a half-hour.
The music will only be able to be heard by people inside the stadium, Ouellette said. With more than 10,000 people expected to arrive for the event, the stadium's capacity of 3,000 will limit the audience's ability to get the full experience.
Haverhill Community Television will be there to record the show so those unable to squeeze into a spot at the stadium can relive the full experience a few days later.
In addition to the fireworks, a DJ and the B Street Bombers band will provide live music for guests throughout the evening.
This year's fireworks celebration received its spark of life when an anonymous family donation provided the city with more than $20,000 for its 4th of July celebration. The family that donated this year has contributed to the city's celebrations for the last three years with this year's being the largest contribution yet.
The city raised $10,000 for the fireworks from its spring carnival.
On the July 4 holiday, Winnekenni Castle will host a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., complete with a children's bicycle parade and a visit from Sponge Bob Square Pants. Lineup for the parade begins at 9:45 a.m.
