The Fab Four and the Marshall Tucker Band are among the musical acts set to perform.
ENFIELD – The Fourth of July may have come and gone, but in this town, they’re still celebrating.This weekend will bring a three-day Independence Day celebration. From Friday through Sunday, the celebration will be marked with live entertainment on the Town Green, fireworks, a parade, the Taste of Enfield, an arts and crafts fair and activities for people of all ages.
The town celebration, now in its 27th year, has become known for bringing in big musical acts for the weekend. On Friday night, the headliner is “The Fab Four – The Ultimate Beatles Tribute,” a nationally-known band which is considered one of the best Beatles tribute bands.
“I’ve been told they do costume changes – three or four throughout the duration of the concert, with a really good video and light show accompanying them,” said Scott Kaupin, chairman of the celebration.
“It’s supposed to be an incredible show.”
The Marshall Tucker Band is one of the musical acts scheduled to perform during Enfield's Independence Day celebration this weekend.Kaupin said the planning committee has booked other tribute bands in the past and they are always a hit.
“They’ve been received really well,” he said. “We like the concept of tributes so we’re looking forward to their concert.”
Saturday’s musical acts include the Marshall Tucker Band and Dickey Betts & Great Southern. Both southern rock groups have played at the celebration in the past but never together on the same evening.
The final major musical performance comes from the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, which performs Sunday at 7:30 p.m., prior to the fireworks show at 9:45.
“We have something for everyone in the musical offerings we have for the weekend,” Kaupin said.
One of the new features of this year’s event is a series of BMX bike demonstrations from the New Hampshire-based group, Maximum Velocity.
Maximum Velocity will be performing two shows on Friday and three shows on both Saturday and Sunday.
“They’re bringing their street course down so there will be different obstacles they will be riding through,” Kaupin said. “It’s our way to bring something different in and see what the reaction is. We think it will be very popular.”
Fun for younger children through teens includes the parade on Saturday at 11 a.m., a video game trailer and contests for older kids, dance performances, a puppet show, a sidewalk chalk art contest, a three-on-three basketball tournament and children’s trike races.
Kids will also enjoy a demonstration by the Police Department’s newest canine team, officer Matt Worden and K9 Falco. There will also be a police canine team demonstration on the green on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
“It helps connect law enforcement and the public, and allows the public to see some of the tools of the trade that we have here in Enfield,” Kaupin said.
Runners are invited to lace up their sneakers once again for the annual road race. The 1K race for kids begins Saturday at 5 p.m., and is followed by the 5K at 6 p.m.
Throughout the weekend, a wide variety of foods can be purchased from area restaurants and vendors through the “Taste of Enfield.” The event runs Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Even in tough economic times, the group that puts on the Fourth of July town celebration manages to pack in a great amount of fun and activities each year.
“We’re a private, nonprofit organization so we raise all the funds and operate off all the income through sponsorships, vendors and the sale of beverages and food,” Kaupin said. “We have a very loyal sponsorship base. At the end of the year, our goal is to break even.”
For a full schedule, information on the shuttle bus from Enfield Square, and applications for the road race, visit www.enfieldcelebration.org
All concerts and children’s activities are free.