Concord celebrates 250 years of American Independence – Concord Monitor

Robert Fiske and his girlfriend, Meghan Foote, were among the first people to arrive in downtown Concord for the Fourth of July Parade that marked 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“I love American history, all the way back from the Revolutionary War to now,” said Fiske.

Like many other attendees, Fiske was particularly looking forward to seeing the members of Concord’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1631, who would be marching down Main Street.

Mary Ellen House and her granddaughter Anastasia Esman seated themselves right across from the State House Plaza, where the Nevers’ Second Regiment Band would be playing throughout the parade.

“I love the band and the drums,” House said. “We were down on Storrs Street, and we saw a lot of fun things down there.”

Of the many antique vehicles in the procession, including cars, a fire engine, police cruiser and Abbot Downing Concord Coach, one was a first: A plane going down Main Street.

Jennifer Kretovic, city councilor and co-chair of the committee that organized the parade, was particularly proud of that.

“The first airplane to go down Main Street, our committee should be so proud,” she said.

Following the parade, the festivities moved to the State House Lawn, where government officials honored New Hampshire’s rich history and involvement in the American Experiment.

Senator Maggie Hassan called on the words of George Washington when he said that American Independence was “little short of a standing miracle,” and she asked attendees to reflect on the “unlikely nature” of America’s founding and survival through 250 years.

Speeches concluded with a reading of the Declaration of Independence, after which the Lafayette Reenactors in attendance conducted a musket and cannon salute on the lawn.

The evening was capped off by a fireworks display at Memorial Field.