UPDATE: Independence Day Activities

REMINDER: INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE & FIREWORKS

UPDATE: Lawn chairs are allowed EXCEPT for inside the football stadium

Posted on: July 1, 2026 - 8:10am

Castleton’s 2026 Independence Day Parade and Fireworks in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of our great nation.

Attention to all Castleton residents and visitors, the schedule for the upcoming Independence Day celebration is as follows:

On July 3, 2026, at 10:00AM, the parade will commence on Main Street at the east end (adjacent to the “Rail Trail” entrance), travel west through the South Street and North Road intersection, and turn south onto Glenbrook Road to finish the parade in the University parking lot. The parade’s duration should be approximately 60 minutes.

The parade will halt in from of the war memorials adjacent to the Castleton Free Library where the Town Manager will read a resolution adopted by the Select Board in honor of George "Buddy" Taggart, who turns 100 years old on Independence Day 2026. July 4, 2026, is resolved as "Buddy Taggart Day" in Castleton. Happy birthday to Buddy.

On February 24, 2026, the 82nd anniversary of his enlistment in the United States Army, Buddy was recognized on the floor of the United States Congress during the State of the Union address by the 45th and 47th President of the United States. He was honored for his service in the Pacific Theater during World War II and in recognition of his 100th birthday on Independence Day 2026.

For those unable to make it to the parade, a copy of the resolution is attached to this post. Buddy shares a birthday with another famous Vermonter, the 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge.

The parade will consist of approximately 45 participants (vehicles, bands, horses, pedestrians, and floats).

The roadway between exit 5 and Glenbrook Road will be closed from 9:30 am to 11:00 am (the end of the parade). If you need to travel during those times on Main Street, please conduct your business before 9:30 am and after 11:00 am. Alternative routes available are Route 30 north/south, Route 4, and Sand Hill Road.

Please coordinate your travel routes during this period if you are traveling to the Transfer Station or through the Castleton Village area. Thank you for your patience.

At approximately 11:00 am, There will be a After Party on the Castleton Library’s grounds. The Castleton Recreation Department will have an obstacle course for kids and other activities. Also, there will be face painting, live music, and food.

On July 3rd at the Vermont State University (VTSU) - Castleton pavilion complex the band Satin and Steel will be performing a free concert from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Vehicle parking will be at the South Street entrances to the, Jeffords Lot, Observatory Lot, Hoff Lot, and South Lot. There will be voluntary staff at the parking lot entrances collecting monetary donations to assist in covering the costs of the event.

At dusk (approximately 9:30 pm), fireworks, sponsored by the Town of Castleton, will commence.

VTSU policy prohibits the following on the grounds, including the stadium and pavilion areas: Alcohol, nicotine products, pets of any kind, glass, and weapons.

Lawn Chairs are allowed for the concert and fireworks EXCEPT for inside the football stadium.

There is plenty of green space for setting up blankets and lawn chairs, as well as area that are concrete if you wish to set up lawn chairs in those areas where mobility issues may be a concern.

All bags are subject to be checked while on the grounds. Clear bags are recommended.

If you have any questions, contact Chief Peter Mantello, Independence Day Activities Coordinator.