Celebrate America’s Birthday All Day in Williamstown

Williamstown's day-long 4th of July Celebration keeps getting bigger and better. This year, there will be pie.

The fun starts at 8 A.M. with the "Race for Independence" a 5K fun run, followed by Morning Yoga & Meditation on the Chapin Lawn at 9. You'll find family activities and an Artisans Market on Spring Street until 1:00.

Now about that pie: a Pie Baking Contest will take place in the Williams Bookstore Lobby. Bring in your best homemade pie by 10:30 Thursday. Fruit pies, not requiring refrigeration, are recommended. They'll be judged at 11 with prizes awarded at Noon.

The Hometown Parade steps off at 11 A.M. from Southworth St. to Spring St. I'll be the guy smiling & waving while driving the WNAW vehicle. That'll be followed by the free Community BBQ and Capital Brass concert at the bottom of Spring St.

Another Williamstown tradition continues at 1:30 at Williams' Sawyer Library. Actors from the Williamstown Theatre Festival will bring to life the Declaration of Independence and the British response. Feel free to shout "Huzzah" or hiss and boo at the appropriate moments.  At 2:30 Images Cinema will host the 2019 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Series. And since it's supposed to be quite warm Thursday, you might want to include the Community Swim at Sand Springs Pool in your plans sometime between Noon and 7.

The day is capped off at around 9 P.M. with a grand & glorious Fireworks show at Taconic Golf Club. Grounds open at 6:00 and it's open to everyone. You're just asked to leave your high heels and doggie friends at home. It's a golf course, after all.

All of this free family fun is put together by the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce, with the help of some very generous businesses and community members. You can find details on their website.