This weekend, celebrate Independence Day with a BANG!

This weekend, celebrate Independence Day with a BANG!

Looking for some all-American fun to celebrate Independence Day? You’re in luck — especially if you love fireworks.

u What could be more American than a baseball game? Keene’s Independence Eve celebration happens Sunday and features a match-up between our Keene Swamp Bats and the North Adams SteepleCats at 4:30 p.m. Sunday is Military Night, which means anyone in uniform and their families get in to the game for free at Keene High School’s Alumni Field. Everyone else pays $4 admission. The fun continues at the field at 7:30 p.m. (everyone gets in for free then) with a carnival complete with food and games, and of course, fireworks at dusk.

u If baseball and fireworks are your thing, then you should check out a couple more events this weekend: Brattleboro’s 38th annual July 4 event will begin Monday at 10 a.m. with a parade featuring more than 50 entries along Canal and Main streets to the town common. Head to Living Memorial Park afterward for sporting events, public concerts and family activities including a children’s penny carnival — all beginning at 1 p.m. and running until fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Musical highlights include a performance by the Stockwell Brothers, a “newgrass” and contemporary folk trio; and children’s entertainer T-Bone.

u Saxtons River, Vt., kicks off its annual Independence Day celebration Monday with a 5K Firecracker road race at 8:30 a.m. followed by a parade at 9:30 a.m. Activities include a street fair with water polo, a hula hoop contest, music on the bandstand, miniature golf, an egg toss, a pie contest, and, you guessed it, baseball games. Afternoon activities move to the Saxtons River Recreation Area and include bingo, swimming, square dancing and old-time fiddling, and fireworks at dusk.

u The towns of Peterborough and Hancock are both honoring the country’s birthday Saturday. Hancock’s Independence Day celebration starts at 6 p.m. at the Vestry and includes an ice cream social, a ringing of the church bell, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, music with Wendy Keith and Doug Farrell, and fireworks at dusk. Donations are welcome. Rain date will be Tuesday, July 5, with the same line-up.

u Peterborough’s fireworks will be the same night (rain date is July 9) at the Conval athletic fields on Route 202 and will include refreshments and music by Dave and the Daddy O’s. Admission is $3, parking is $15.

u Two towns are celebrating their own heritage this weekend — Chesterfield’s 250th Celebration begins Friday with a ’40s, ’50s and ’60s dance at the town hall at 7 p.m. Admission is $5. Festivities continue Saturday at 10 a.m. with a historical parade featuring antique cars and costumed characters from Chesterfield’s past. In the center of town you can make your own ice cream and cotton candy, visit the historical society’s open house and see historical skits until 2 p.m. Fireworks will be on Spofford Lake at 9:15 p.m. (rain date is July 4). Sunday is family fun day at Ware’s Grove on Spofford Lake, complete with games, swim races, a yacht race around the island and a retro bathing suit contest. 

u Harrisville hosts its annual Old Home Days Celebration this weekend beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m., with an ice cream social and music by the Nelson Town Band on Canal Street, and popcorn and a movie at dusk. Saturday includes children’s games and crafts, food, live music, a craft fair, book sale and more from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A breakfast buffet Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Wells Memorial School completes the weekend.