The Lollipop Road

Posts Tagged ‘hancock’

Folks come from all around to watch them. Some families chase them from town to town. Everyone gasps in amazement, even our youngest who has never really seen them before. Fireworks are a magical wonder that entertain kids and adults alike, putting them into a trance induced by the colorful popping noise makers that light up the nighttime sky.

This year we made it a point to be in New Hampshire in time to join the Independence Day festivities. The towns around the Monadnock Region actually coordinate their schedules in order to allow spectators to enjoy all of the festivities going on in the region. With two young kids, we decided to partake in just one, so we chose the celebration in Hancock (known as the prettiest village in New Hampshire).

Over a thousand people pounce upon the tiny town center beginning at 6PM when the Ice Cream Social begins and the band starts striking a tune. Kids can join in on a reading of the Declaration of Independence – if you can pry them away from the ice cream. We arrived a bit after 8PM, so were able to take advantage of $2 sundaes or what was left over to make sundaes. We followed the herd scurrying to find a place on the lawn that slopes down to Norway Pond.

We were ill prepared, without a blanket for comfort or warmth and we certainly didn’t have any bug spray…oh well…maybe the mosquitoes like ice cream. As we settled in we were surprised to see kids swimming and playing at the beach below. I’m not sure exactly how cold the water was, but I suppose we’ll find out one of these days. There were lots of kids running around, but our kids were focused on their ice cream!

With anticipation in the air, the crowd roared as the first boom lit up the sky. Little did we know that this would be just a 10-minute warning. The kids were dripping with anticipation and excitement. The show began just as the kids were about to burst; the crowd fell silent. Exploding packets of colored light soared above the pond, illuminating the black evening sky. The brilliant colors criss-crossed like a well choreographed dance. All eyes were fixated upward; our youngest didn’t even turn away once. Fireworks are like candy – kids can never get enough.

This was our first 4^th of July in New Hampshire. Small towns, friendly faces and traditional family oriented activities – just one reason why I love New Hampshire so much. So, next time you’re looking for a simple Independence Day celebration, why not head out to one of the many small towns in New Hampshire. You might never leave.

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