4th of July Festivities in North Reading

The Fourth of July will be celebrated in North Reading this year with games, activities, live entertainment and fireworks. The festivities will take place at starting at noon.

According to  Chairman Fred Chalmers, there will be a number of attractions at the park including moon bounces; a bungee run, which is an inflatable two lane attraction where you put on a velcro belt and race the person in the lane next to you until the cord snaps you back; an inflatable obstacle course; portable rock climbing wall and games for kids throughout the day. There will also be face painting, temporary tattoos, pony rides and sand art available. The event will feature something for everyone including a bike contest and dog parade.

At the event, you will have the opportunity to buy pulled pork from the , salad from , pizza from the , chicken wings and chili from the , , shaved ice from a food truck, fresh-squeezed lemonade, fried dough, strawberry shortcake and more. Crafters will be selling scented soaps, pottery, jewelry and other hand-made items. 

The  hot air balloon will be at the event in the evening and fireworks will start at 9 p.m. 

You can expect to find "an assortment of things you would find at a carnival," Chalmers said. "We’re just hoping for good weather."

The rain date for the event is Saturday, July 7. Please park at the , and then the when the high school lot is full. A complimentary bus service will take you from the schools to the park in the afternoon. There will be handicapped parking on site.

"We will bring back the fourth," Chalmers said.

According to Chalmers, the event is still not "fully funded." The committee is hoping to take donations up to and after the event to pay their bills. If it is successful this year, they would like to do it again in 2013. 

If you would like to make a donation, mail your check, made out to NR 4th of July, to NR Bring Back the 4th, PO Box 653, North Reading, MA, or donate online.

Here is a schedule for the day:

Noon to 8 p.m.: Attractions and vendors are open for business

Noon to 12:30 p.m.: Bike, doll carriage and pet parades

1 to 3 p.m.: Pony rides

1 to 1:30 p.m.: North Reading Community Chorale

1:30 to 2 p.m.: North Reading School of Ballet

2 to 4 p.m.: Alpha & Omega music showcase

4 to 5 p.m.: Crazy Jane

5 to 5:30 p.m.: DJ Phil Carbone

5 to 8 p.m.: RE/MAX hot-air balloon

5:30 to 6 p.m.: Project 28 (youth band)

6 to 6:30 p.m.: Opening ceremony/Selectmen Chairman Sean Delaney

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Boston Horns

8:30 to 9 p.m.: DJ Phil Carbone

9 p.m.: Fireworks