friday july 13 - Southbridge Evening News

www.webstertimes.net Friday, July 13, 2012
• THE WEBSTER TIMES • 5
OSV celebrates Fourth of July with old-fashioned fervor
A patriotic field of flags greeted visitors to Old Sturbridge Village.
A young visitor mugs for the camera – in 1830s portrait fashion.
Some pumped, while others partook
of their labors.
Visitors traveled by wagon, by foot, and
other means to the party.
BY MARK ASHTON
STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER
STURBRIDGE — Between 3,200 and 3,500 people
journeyed to America’s past for a birthday
party on Tuesday, July 3, to celebrate the
nation’s origins and witness one of the region’s
largest fireworks displays, produced by Atlas
Pyrovision Productions of Jeffrey, N.H., for Old
Sturbridge Village.
By the end of the evening, both the rockets’
red glare and bombs bursting in air gave proof
through the night OSV was still there.
So were the festive spirits of all in attendance.
Watching from the fields and roads around the
museum’s Freeman Farm, blacksmith shop,
and pottery shop, attendees were treated to a
half-hour of pyrotechnics that thrilled young
and old alike, bringing “oohs,” “ahhs,” and
cheers from the crowd, and lighting up the sky
enough to reveal small fires in the wooded areas
most affected by last year’s tornadoes.
The Sturbridge Fire Department was on hand
at the fireworks launch site to keep the brush
fires under control and the evening festive and
fun.
Prior to the fireworks display, visitors to the
living history museum enjoyed a variety of
period celebrations – from pie-eating contests
and sack races to Robert Olson’s 1830s magic
show and music and dancing on the common.
A highlight of the annual celebrations was an
impassioned reading of the Declaration of
Independence by Sen. Stephen Brewer of Barre,
dressed in period costumed, from a campaign
platform on the common. As picnickers and
partiers celebrated with patriotic pride, the
Sturbridge Militia offered a traditional musket
salute at the end of the reading.
Also on hand for the festivities was the traditional
“campaign ball,” a 19th-century electionyear
rolling billboard promoting candidates
and causes dear to the hearts of early American
voters.
For the more contemporary guests and partygoers,
Lucky Bob the Comedic Juggler wowed
audiences at one end of the common, and a
“Patriotic Fashion Contest” invited Village visitors
to attend the celebrations dressed as their
favorite historical character – or otherwise
decked out in creative patriotic fashion.
The Blackstone Valley Bluegrass Band provided
plenty of music – for listening and dancing
– at the far end of the common, and revelers
enjoyed beer, wine, sandwiches, snacks, and soft
drinks throughout the evening.
Young visitors hop to it for some early 19th-century game-playing.
The 1830’s campaign ball was rolled out for the occasion.
ABOVE, Ken Richmond, Shira Shazeer, and Velvel
Richmond-Shazeer, all of Natick, couldn’t keep from
dancing. ABOVE RIGHT, The Blackstone Valley
Bluegrass Band provided music for listening and
dancing.
MARK ASHTON PHOTOS
M SALI COUNSELING
Psychotherapy Services for
Children, Adolescents, Adults & Seniors
•Anxiety/Depression • ADHD • Substance Abuse • PTSD
• Panic Attacks • Eating Disorders • Relationships
• Grief/Loss and Other
INDIVIDUAL, COUPLES &FAMILY
Call (508)987-3771 • 316 Main St., Oxford, MA
WIC Accessible
When you need it for sewing, we have it!
45 Sturbridge Rd. (Rte 20), Charlton, MA
fabstash.com 508-248-0600
JULY
14th 10:00AM - 4:30PM &
15th 10:00am - 4:30pm
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION
WEEKEND
With “Opening Ceremony” SUPER SALE 10am-11am
Many in store specials!
Plus “A Fabric A-Fair”
Family fun with a twist
Saturday from 11am-2pm
-Play summer games
and win “GOLD, SILVER
and BRONZE” Savings!
6 MONTHS
Same As Cash!
Fireworks lit up the sky over the fields of OSV with
patriotic fervor.
TheHeartOf
Massachusetts.com
28 Trolley Crossing Rd., Charlton, MA 508.248.4346 x107
111 E. Brimfield Rd., Holland, MA 413.245.3712
265 Grafton St., Worcester, MA 508.792.1030
29 Summer St., Lunenburg, MA 976.343.3202