2017 July 4th Parade Location Changed
This year, due to the extensive construction on the intersections of Routes 2, 7, and 2A near Main Street, the Colchester Parks & Recreation Department will move the July 4th Parade to Blakely Road for this year only. This decision was reached with the help of local emergency response agencies, including the Colchester Police, Colchester Center Volunteer Fire Company, Malletts Bay Fire Department, and Colchester Rescue. It was determined to be the best course of action for the safety of parade participants, parade spectators, and travelers along the affected routes.
Blakely Road will be closed to thru traffic between 11:00 AM and 12:30 PM on the 4th of July. The parade route will begin at Colchester High School at 11:00 AM, proceed east along Blakely Road, and end at Lavigne Road. The distance is one mile, equal to the Main Street route. Blakely Road has suitable sidewalks for pedestrian traffic and offers plenty of parking for visitors at Colchester High School, Colchester Middle School, Malletts Bay School, and Colchester Town Offices. Visitors are asked not to park on the Blakely Road shoulders during the morning hours of the parade. Traffic delays are expected to be minimal along Lakeshore Drive, Blakely Road, Williams Road, and Malletts Bay Avenue.
Parade participants will be given more information regarding parade staging at the High School and dismount zones on Lavigne Road prior to the event.
All other 4th of July events will take place in the same spots as prior years. The annual fireworks show will be displayed over the Bayside Softball Field at dusk. Be sure to bring the family and join your community for 4th of July fun!
For more information regarding the parade, visit http://colchestervt.gov/363/4th-of-July-Celebration; email recreation@colchestervt.gov; or call (802) 264-5640.