4th of July Committee Reports a Successful Day!

Poultney:  Then and Now!   And the fun just kept coming all weekend long on the Fourth of July, 2023.   The Boat Parade on Lake St. Catherine and fireworks at the Poultney Elementary School were lively and well-attended. The parade floats were varied with several new entries this year, and the fire engines were sparkling. Bhakta Spirits and Green Mountain Community School hosted the Enerjazz Big Band and lemonade stand on campus again this year. 

The winners of the annual Lake St Catherine Boat Parade held Saturday (7/1/23) were:

Most Patriotic winner:  Boat #11, Wendal Family. Runner up:  Boat #6, Cook Family.

Funniest winner: Boat #10, Erin Wysolmerski. Runner-up: Boat #12, Muclahy Family. 

Most Original winner:  Boat #7, Corrigan Family. Runner-up:  Boat #1, Goldman Family. 

Best Overall:  Boat #16, Jack McVicker, Kimberly Moore & Friends. Runner-up:  Boat #8, Connie Family. 

Photos of the decorated boats and names of the entry appear on the website of the Lake St. Catherine Association at https://www.lakestcatherine.org/blog

Before the parade started, Magician Tom Joyce entertained families in front of the LiHigh School while a crowd lined East Main and Main Street waiting for the parade. Poultney was also one of multiple Vermont and New York communities that received an impressive fly-over by several of the Vermont Air National Guard’s F-35 in honor of the celebration. DJ John Saltis graciously provided his equipment for a public address system, and announcers Bob Williams and Gabe Wescott imparted a wealth of information about the event itself, about Poultney, and about the parade participants. A beautiful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner was sung by Gabe Wescott when the parade made its way to Main Street.

The theme of the parade this year was “Poultney: Then and Now”. Judging of the parade entries took place in East Poultney before the parade left the starting point. Eric Hier of Northland Real Estate, Suanne Ohl of Northland Real Estate and Wendy Cadieux of York Street Coach Works viewed the entries for the Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce awards, and made the following choices: 

Realty One won the prize for “Business That Best Depicts Theme”, “Most Patriotic” went to Erik Deppert & Poultney Youth, “Best Depicts Theme” went to Slate Valley Trails, “ Most Photographic” went to Revive Church, and “Best Depicts Organization” went to Poultney Snowmobile Club.

Besides the floats, the parade featured fire companies, rescue squads, bicyclists, tractors, a magician, race cars, dancers, and even two stilt walkers. There were also horses, politicians, veteran’s organizations, and members of the Cairo Shrine Club in Rutland. Poultney Constable Dale Kerber followed at the rear. 

Festivities continued at the Bhakta Spirits campus after the parade. The EnerJazz Big Band performed, and many other activities and vendors were held in Ames Circle.

Thanks go to the many people who helped organize the event, found vendors, arranged volunteers, and provided publicity, and to all the volunteers and others who participated in making the event a success. Special thanks go to Committee Members Aaron and Christine Kerber and the entire Poultney Fire Department (they’re always looking for new members), the Poultney Chamber of Commerce, and Poultney Recreation. Look periodically next year for more information at www.PoultneyRecreation.com and www.PoultneyAreaChamber.com and on the PACC Facebook page  http://facebook.com/poultneyareachamberofcommerce/.

Donations for next year’s event are still needed; anyone who wishes to donate should send a check made out to the Town of Poultney, with “4th of July” on the memo line. They should be sent to the Town of Poultney, 9 Main Street, Poultney, VT  05764. 

The 4th of July Event Committee and the Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce wish everyone a wonderful rest of the summer!