Not Quite Independence Day in Waterbury

Not Quite Independence Day (NQID) is a beloved annual celebration hosted by the Waterbury Rotary Club! The 2025 festivities will be on Saturday, June 28, 2025 and the 2025 theme is a "Vermont weather."

This year, the theme is "Vermont Weather," celebrating the variety of joys and challenges that come from the ever-changing weather in our beloved state! After two years of rain on NQID, we are hoping that honoring the weather gods will prevent rain on our favorite parade. The weather is an essential aspect of being in Vermont, and this theme allows us to celebrate the beauty and resilience that comes from living with it.

Schedule:

3:00 pm - Food & Beer concessions open

• A selection of food vendors, craft & souvenir vendors, and non-profits will be set up around Rusty Parker Park, including:
  • Hook & Peel Pizza
  • Aladdin's Middle Eastern Cuisine
  • Kingdom Creamery of Vermont
  • Rainbow Ice
  • Dough Fresh
  • Blossomberry Farm
  • Paprika's Empanadas
• There will a variety of beer and cider for sale by the Rotary. The beer sponsor is Lawson's Finest Liquids and the cider sponsor is Cold Hollow - thank you!
• There will not be any outside alcohol allowed into Rusty Parker Park per state regulations.

3:45 pm - Green Mountain Mile

• Just before the parade begins, the Green Mountain Mile runners take to the streets for this family-friendly fun run.
• The course starts on the access road to the Ice Center, then heads through downtown along Main Street, finishing at the intersection with Stowe St.
• Applicants are encouraged to pre-register for the race by mail (must be received by Thursday, June 26) or on Friday, June 27, from 5-7 pm at Brookside Primary School.
• Race day registration closes at 3:30 pm at the Ice Center.
• Entry fees are $5 for kids (14 and under), $10 for adults.
• Click here for info and application.

4:00 pm - "Vermont Weather" Themed Parade

• The parade will head North on Main St, starting at the State Complex (South) entrance and finishing at the rail bridge by Dac Rowe Field.
• The central section of Main St from Park Row to Stowe Street gets very busy, so please consider watching from alternate areas to keep everyone nicely spread out.
• Please note that traffic on Main Street will be stopped by 3:30 pm and parking will be blocked off around most of Rusty Parker Memorial Park.
• For information on how to be in the parade, please see below.

5:00 pm - Kids activities begin in Rusty Parker Memorial Park

• Fun games include pig races, ring toss, butterfly balloon burst, fish pong, treasure bricks, and more.
• There will also be face painting!

5:30 pm - Parade award winners announced!

• Join us in Rusty Parker Memorial Park to hear the winners in each category, as well as best overall parade entry.

6:00 pm - Concert by 4Play until the fireworks start a little before 9:00 pm

• Concert and other activities will be in Rusty Parker Memorial Park
• A suggested $5 donation per attendee will be requested to help fund the day’s events
• Food and beer sales will continue throughout the concert.

9:00 pm or thereabouts - Fireworks

• The firework display will be visible from all over town, so find a spot with a clear view of the sky behind the State Complex.
• Parking at the State Complex is FREE of charge. Volunteers will ask for a donation to help cover costs for the day's events.
• Parking for the fireworks is available behind the State Office Complex.
• If viewing on the grass at the State Office Complex, please stay behind the signs.
• Exit the fireworks via Park Row (at the light) or State Drive. All those exiting out of State Drive will be directed South on Main Street and can get onto I-89 in Middlesex if necessary.

Please note: while we love dogs, we do request that you please leave them home for this event!