As you may have noticed in previous years, the 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. I marvel at the historic coming together of such imperfect yet incredible characters to fight corrupt incompetence in government, work against unjust taxes in town, and experiment with a new and hopefully better way of doing things. I admire their vision, determination, creativity, and endurance and wonder where can such a group be found now.

Here’s a group of volunteers from the Northfield Historical Society, under the direction of tent raising expert Lee Lansing, getting ready for tomorrow’s activities. There’s much going on downtown, Friday, July 4th, including a Flea Market in Ames Park at 9 am, a Yankee Doodle Kiddie Parade along Division Street at 1 pm, a Presentation of the Colors at 7:30 pm and, thanks to Dan Freeman and a group of the community members, Fireworks at Dusk. From 1:30 to 9:30 pm, or most of the day, there will be all sorts of entertaining performances on the Showmobile in Bridge Square, featuring a group of talented artists such as the Northfield Dance Academy and Folkloric Dancers, the To Be Announced Band, Marty Anderson and the Goods, Down Lo and Madelyn Hartke and The Patchwork Orchestra. Waking Avalon is at the Contented Cow.

On Saturday, fresh off their triumph at the First Annual JuneBug Music Festival, the Last Known Whereabouts are at the Contented Cow. The group features Jake Stroup on mandolin and vocals, Aaron Hagenson on guitar and vocals, Aaron Cross on fiddle, and Carl Haskins on bass. They’re high energy fun so check them out.

On Sunday, relive those political discussions at the Green Dragon Tavern that contributed to our nation’s independence. It’s Policy and a Pint at the Contented Cow, 6 pm.