What's Red, White and Blue and Rides into Exeter Once a Year?

It's the American Independence Festival and it marches through Exeter this Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

An annual tradition in Exeter for 23 years, the American Independence Festival is a day-long celebration of our country's founding and New Hampshire's historic role in American independence.

New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan helps kick off the festivities at 10 a.m. Starting with the exciting delivery of the Declaration of Independence by a lone rider on horseback, then a procession through downtown Exeter led by General George Washington, the Festival also celebrates Exeter's 375th anniversary (the town – state capital during the American Revolution – was founded in 1638).

The Festival is hosted by the American Independence Museum and organized by a dedicated group of volunteers. It's held two weeks after July 4 because the Declaration of Independence was read aloud to the townspeople of Exeter on July 16, 1776, by local merchant John Taylor Gilman, who later became governor of New Hampshire.

There's plenty to see and do during the day. Stop by the museum to view an original Dunlap Broadside* of the Declaration of Independence (one of a few still in existence) and original drafts of the U.S. Constitution. Meet John Adams, portrayed by role player George Baker, and John Taylor Gilman, portrayed by Gilman descendant and Exeter resident Greg Gilman. Marvel at the talents of artisans demonstrating such traditional crafts as basket making, barrel making, and more. Thrill to military musters and a Revolutionary battle portrayal between Colonial and British troops (listen for cannon fire, too). Savor a cold beer – and say hello to members of Exeter's Rotary Club – at the American Independence Ale pavilion. There's food, live music, children's activities, sidewalk sales throughout downtown, a craft fair at Main Street School, even a rubber duck race on the Squamscott River hosted by the Southern District YMCA.

After the Festival winds down at 5 p.m., Swasey Parkway lights up with live music by the Jumbo Circus Peanuts at 6:45 p.m., and later, the town of Exeter's fireworks at 8:45 p.m.

Admission to events on museum grounds is $7, free for children under age 10 and American Independence Museum members. A complete schedule of events can be found here.

See you Saturday!

*The Dunlap Broadside was created by the Continental Congress' official printer, John Dunlap, who printed 150 copies of the Declaration of Independence during the evening of July 4, 1776. Copies were distributed throughout the American colonies to be read out loud to colonists and the militia. New Hampshire's copy arrived in Exeter on July 16; it was read to townspeople by John Taylor Gilman on the steps of Exeter town hall.