KENT, Conn.—Kent has been planning for more than a year, dotting every “i” and crossing every “t” in preparation for its gala celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Then, just days before the event is to happen, Mother Nature sent the mercury soaring and is threatening rain on the big weekend. Tuesday, the state activated its hot weather protocol, which will remain active through at least Sunday.
The 250 Committee has responded proactively, moving all activities planned for Saturday on the Town Hall grounds to the safety of the Community House. At the same time, the Friday evening Lights & Liberty Parade has been modified to protect participants and viewers, alike.
Town Clerk and 250 Committee member Darlene Brady reported to committee members Tuesday that, despite the hot weather protocol, towns are free to decide what to do about their celebrations. “I think we should go forward but possibly restrict the parade to floats, vehicles—moving entities—and avoid walkers for safety reasons,” she said, adding, “Safety and wanting to hold the celebration are equal.”
The parade will form at the Town Hall and kick off at 7 p.m., proceeding down Main Street to the firehouse. Parade participants can walk, but those that do not want to brave temperatures that are expected to top out at 95 degrees Friday will be accommodated on vehicles. The firefighters have elected to march.
Water stations will be set up for participants and viewers.
At last report there were eight to 12 vehicles registered for the parade and late entries are still welcome.
The bonfire originally planned for the firehouse has been scrubbed—“People are not going to want to stand near a hot fire when it is 95 degrees,” observed committee Vice Chairman Melissa Cherniske—and will be replaced by a Fire Engine Mega-Soaker to allow youngsters to cool down. Parents should bring towels because “people will get wet,” according to First Selectman Eric Epstein.
Gone too are the s’mores that were to be served and in their place cooling refreshments will be offered. The s’mores ingredients will be thriftily preserved and a bonfire planned for fall in more seasonable weather.
Saturday will be slightly cooler, but showers are possible and Cherniske said, “I can’t imagine people standing around outside in 90-degree heat with thundershowers. Even if we had it at the Town Hall, we might have to move people inside quickly.”
Others on the committee agreed and plans were discussed to accommodate vendors, food, and the reading of the Declaration in the large assembly room at the Community House, 93 North Main St.
It was decided that food can be cooked outside and shuttled inside for consumption. The reading of the Declaration will be consigned to the stage, the community’s birthday cake will be displayed and a copy of the Declaration will be signed by townspeople.
Some features cannot be moved indoors, however. The flag raising will still take place outside and a new memorial stone listing the names of the town’s Revolutionary War veterans will be displayed next to the building.
Saturday activities begin at noon and continue until 3 p.m. That evening, starting at 9:30 p.m., there will be a fireworks display over Lake Waramaug. Epstein said that arrangements have been made for Kent residents to park at Lake Waramaug State Park.
“Everything is in place. We have a great weekend of events wrapped up,” said Epstein.
The schedule of events is as follows:
Friday, July 3 (Community Kickoff)
- 2 p.m. – Community Bell Ringing at the Eric Sloane Museum, 31 Kent Cornwall Road.
- 6:30 p.m. – “Lights & Liberty” Parade staging at Kent Town Hall.
- 7 p.m. – Parade begins, marching down Main Street to the Kent Volunteer Fire Department.
- 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Community party and live DJ at the firehouse, with the first opportunity to sign the town’s ceremonial Declaration of Independence.
Saturday, July 4 (Community House & Fireworks)
- Noon – Event kickoff, National Anthem, Betsy Ross Flag raising by the Boy Scouts, and continued community Declaration signing.
- Noon to 3 p.m. – Community Picnic and Activity Tents. The Kent Lions Club will serve food, and SoDelicious Bakery will provide a “Birthday Cake for America”.
- 1 p.m. – Public reading of the Declaration of Independence by the Kent Memorial Library.
- 2 p.m. – Town-wide “Bell Ringing Across America” (all attendees encouraged to bring their own bells to ring).
- Dusk – Celebration concludes with fireworks over nearby Lake Waramaug.
