Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Independence Day Festivities slated at Old Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village will celebrate the nation’s birthday 1830s-style, with its evening fireworks display over the Village’s
farm fields July 3, followed by a jam-packed day of historical Independence Day celebrations July Fourth. SUBMITTED
PHOTO)
STURBRIDGE — Old Sturbridge Village will celebrate the nation’s birthday 1830s-style with its popular evening fireworks
display over the Village’s farm fields on Tuesday night July 3, followed by a jam-packed day of historical Independence Day
celebrations on Wednesday, July 4.
Fife and drum music, militia marching, and readings of the Declaration of Independence will be presented during both day and
evening festivities. For all times and details: (800) 733-1830; www.osv.org
July 3 Fireworks Show
One of the region’s largest fireworks displays, the Old Sturbridge Village fireworks show is the highlight of a separate evening
program of music, magic, and family games.
Sponsored by Country Bank for Savings, the festivities include sack races, pie-eating contests, juggling with Lucky Bob the
Comedic Juggler, magic shows by Robert Olson, a concert on the Common by the Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band, and a
“Patriotic Fashion Contest” with a prize for the person sporting the most patriotic look.
The OSV fireworks show is produced by Atlas Pyrovision Productions of Jaffrey, NH, which has mounted fireworks shows in
Washington, D.C. and in Boston on the Charles River and on Boston Common.
The Old Sturbridge Village setting is ideal for fireworks because as an1830s-style rural village, it has no “light pollution” - no
street lights and no traffic lights. “The dark night sky is a wonderful backdrop for the fireworks and makes the colors even more
vibrant,” notes Jim O’Brien, OSV coordinator of special events.
State Sen. Stephen M. Brewer (Barre) will give a patriotic recitation of the Declaration of Independence dressed in 1830s
costume, and the Sturbridge Militia will offer a traditional musket salute at the end of the reading.
Beer, wine, sandwiches, snacks, and soft drinks will be on sale throughout the evening. Parking is free and tickets for the
fireworks show are separate from daytime museum admission.
Fireworks tickets purchased before July 1 are $12 per person; $10 for OSV members; (children under 3 are free). Beginning July
1, tickets are $15 per person. Gates open at 6:00 p.m., and the fireworks show will begin just after dusk. Rain date for the event is
July 4. For all times and details: 800-733-1830; www.osv.org
July 4 Independence Day Celebration
Independence Day was the biggest holiday of the year in the early 19th century, and Old Sturbridge Village will re-create the day
in all of its early patriotic glory. Visitors can sign their own "John Hancocks" on a huge copy of the Declaration of Independence,
take part in a Citizens’ Procession, and learn to play old-fashioned "base ball."
In honor of this year’s presidential election, Old Sturbridge Village historians will roll out two iconic symbols from the Election of
1840 - a "Log Cabin Wagon" and a giant "Campaign Ball."
The Election of 1840 was the first modern presidential campaign, which pitted incumbent Democrat Martin Van Buren against
Whig challenger William Henry Harrison.
The 1840 campaign was the first modern, media-driven presidential election, full of symbolism, songs, slogans, souvenirs, and
plenty of mud-slinging. Both parties nominated their candidates at national conventions for the first time, and Harrison became
the first presidential candidate to actively campaign on his own behalf.
The Whigs dubbed their candidate, Harrison, “The Hero of Tippecanoe” (a minor frontier skirmish back in 1811) and sought to
gain the public’s attention with mass political rallies, parades, speeches, and campaign paraphernalia.
With the motto, "Keep the ball rolling!" they attracted attention by rolling large, brightly painted "Campaign Balls," covered with
political slogans from city to city with much fanfare.
Whig parades also included "Log Cabin Wagons" portraying Harrison as a man of the people – even though he grew up on a
large Virginia plantation, not in a log cabin.
Old Sturbridge Village celebrates New England life in the 1830s and is one of the largest living history museums in the country.
The museum is open daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. seven days a week.
OSV offers free parking and a free return visit within 10 days. Admission: $24; seniors $22; children 3-17, $8; children 2 and
under, free. Woo Card subscribers get $5 off adult daytime admission; college Woo cardholders receive $12 off adult daytime
admission. For times and details of all OSV activities visit: www.osv.org or call 1-800-SEE-1830.