Haverhill celebrates July 4: Fireworks promise to be 'best ever'

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June 26, 2008

By Mike LaBella

HAVERHILL — The city will celebrate Independence Day on the eve of the holiday. Festivities will be Thursday, July 3, at Haverhill Stadium.

Vincent Ouellette, director of Human Services for the city, said the same family foundation that donated $10,000 to the city to make last year's fireworks display bigger than usual has donated $13,000 this year. Added to the $10,000 the city is spending, it will mean the most dazzling aerial display in the city's history. The city raised money for the fireworks through its Spring Carnival and admissions to last year's July 4 event.

In addition, the same family foundation gave the city $2,000 to be given away through raffles during the celebration. "Your admittance ticket is your raffle ticket," Ouellette said.

This year's $23,000 fireworks display will feature more pyrotechnics, more colors and more "patterned" shells displaying spiral, smile, stars and more, by Atlas PyroVision Productions of Jaffrey, N.H.

"It will be the grandest fireworks display the city has ever seen," Ouellette said.

During the celebration, the city will honor local veterans and those who work on behalf of veterans.

This year's July 4 celebration theme is "Honoring our Veterans."

"We'll be handing out mayoral citations to veterans from World War II through the Iraq War, and to those who work for the benefit of veterans," Ouellette said. "We hope to get representation from World War II, Korea, Vietnam to the Iraq War, and recognize their service to their country."

The entertainment begins at 6 p.m. and includes line dancing and music by a disk jockey until 8 p.m. The band Air Tight will perform from 8 to 10 p.m. with the fireworks display immediately following their performance.

A few surprises are in store this year, Ouellette said.

"For those who come inside the stadium we'll have the fireworks display synchronized to patriotic music," he said.

Families are invited to relax on the grassy football field and enjoy the night.

This is an alcohol-free event.

Haverhill celebrates

Event theme: Honoring Our Veterans

Where: Haverhill Stadium on Lincoln Avenue

When: July 3, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.; fireworks display at 10 p.m.

How: Admission: $1, free admission for children under the age of 6

More: Food vendors will serve hot-dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, slush, fried dough, Italian sausage sandwiches and soft drinks; children's activities include Bubble Bounce sponsored by Haverhill Community Television, an obstacle course and slide.