WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE BRISTOL 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION!
The History of the Bristol Fourth of July Celebration
General Chairman
The General Chairman has the responsibility of overseeing all aspects of the Celebration. They conduct all general meetings, provide leadership for the Committee and conduct all business related to the Celebration. Probably their most important responsibility is that of choosing the Chief Marshal.
Their hard work and dedication to the 4th of July Celebration should be commended, a tradition that has been continued since 1785.
Past General Chairman
Patriotic Speakers
The Oldest Continuous Celebration in the United States. Patriotic Exercises is the foundation for our claim. Each year a Patriotic Speaker or Speaker of the Day is chosen by the Committee to speak to our community to kick off July 4th.
Past Patriotic Speakers
Chief Marshals
The Committee's General Chairman has the honor of selecting the Chief Marshal for each celebration. Beginning in the early 1800's through to the current celebration. Considered to be one of the highest honors bestowed on a Bristolian.
Past Chief Marshals
Visiting Ships
Part of our celebration is the visiting ship. The U.S. Navy sends a ship to spend a week in Bristol during our celebration. Starting in the early 1900's, a ship has been part of the celebration for nearly 100 continuous years.
Past Visiting Ships
Miss and Little Miss Fourth of July
Each year sixteen 16-20 year old girls compete for the honor of wearing the Miss Fourth of July Crown during the celebration and on the Miss Fourth of July float in the parade. In 1997, we added the Little Miss Fourth of July as sixteen 6-12 year old girls compete for the Little Miss Fourth of July title.
Past Miss & Little Miss Fourth of July
Hattie Brown Award Recipients
Presented each year to a Bristolian who demonstrates the same spirit of community service that was so much the distinguishable trait of Hattie Brown.
Past Hattie Brown Recipients
Button Contest Winners
Each year since 1992, children in Bristol have entered the Button Contest. The winner is chosen by a panel from the Souvenir Committee, presented a $100 savings bond and is given the opportunity to march in the parade The button is the Official Button of the Fourth of July Celebration.
Past Button Winners
General Chairman
The General Chairman has the responsibility of overseeing all aspects of the Celebration. They conduct all general meetings, provide leadership for the Committee and conduct all business related to the Celebration. Probably their most important responsibility is that of choosing the Chief Marshal.
Their hard work and dedication to the 4th of July Celebration should be commended, a tradition that has been continued since 1785.
Past General Chairman
Patriotic Speakers
The Oldest Continuous Celebration in the United States. Patriotic Exercises is the foundation for our claim. Each year a Patriotic Speaker or Speaker of the Day is chosen by the Committee to speak to our community to kick off July 4th.
Past Patriotic Speakers
Chief Marshals
The Committee's General Chairman has the honor of selecting the Chief Marshal for each celebration. Beginning in the early 1800's through to the current celebration. Considered to be one of the highest honors bestowed on a Bristolian.
Past Chief Marshals
Visiting Ships
Part of our celebration is the visiting ship. The U.S. Navy sends a ship to spend a week in Bristol during our celebration. Starting in the early 1900's, a ship has been part of the celebration for nearly 100 continuous years.
Past Visiting Ships
Miss and Little Miss Fourth of July
Each year sixteen 16-20 year old girls compete for the honor of wearing the Miss Fourth of July Crown during the celebration and on the Miss Fourth of July float in the parade. In 1997, we added the Little Miss Fourth of July as sixteen 6-12 year old girls compete for the Little Miss Fourth of July title.
Past Miss & Little Miss Fourth of July
Hattie Brown Award Recipients
Presented each year to a Bristolian who demonstrates the same spirit of community service that was so much the distinguishable trait of Hattie Brown.
Past Hattie Brown Recipients
Button Contest Winners
Each year since 1992, children in Bristol have entered the Button Contest. The winner is chosen by a panel from the Souvenir Committee, presented a $100 savings bond and is given the opportunity to march in the parade The button is the Official Button of the Fourth of July Celebration.
Past Button Winners
The General Chairman has the responsibility of overseeing all aspects of the Celebration. They conduct all general meetings, provide leadership for the Committee and conduct all business related to the Celebration. Probably their most important responsibility is that of choosing the Chief Marshal.
Their hard work and dedication to the 4th of July Celebration should be commended, a tradition that has been continued since 1785.
Past General Chairman
Patriotic Speakers
The Oldest Continuous Celebration in the United States. Patriotic Exercises is the foundation for our claim. Each year a Patriotic Speaker or Speaker of the Day is chosen by the Committee to speak to our community to kick off July 4th.
Past Patriotic Speakers
Chief Marshals
The Committee's General Chairman has the honor of selecting the Chief Marshal for each celebration. Beginning in the early 1800's through to the current celebration. Considered to be one of the highest honors bestowed on a Bristolian.
Past Chief Marshals
Visiting Ships
Part of our celebration is the visiting ship. The U.S. Navy sends a ship to spend a week in Bristol during our celebration. Starting in the early 1900's, a ship has been part of the celebration for nearly 100 continuous years.
Past Visiting Ships
Miss and Little Miss Fourth of July
Each year sixteen 16-20 year old girls compete for the honor of wearing the Miss Fourth of July Crown during the celebration and on the Miss Fourth of July float in the parade. In 1997, we added the Little Miss Fourth of July as sixteen 6-12 year old girls compete for the Little Miss Fourth of July title.
Past Miss & Little Miss Fourth of July
Hattie Brown Award Recipients
Presented each year to a Bristolian who demonstrates the same spirit of community service that was so much the distinguishable trait of Hattie Brown.
Past Hattie Brown Recipients
Button Contest Winners
Each year since 1992, children in Bristol have entered the Button Contest. The winner is chosen by a panel from the Souvenir Committee, presented a $100 savings bond and is given the opportunity to march in the parade The button is the Official Button of the Fourth of July Celebration.
Past Button Winners
The Oldest Continuous Celebration in the United States. Patriotic Exercises is the foundation for our claim. Each year a Patriotic Speaker or Speaker of the Day is chosen by the Committee to speak to our community to kick off July 4th.
Past Patriotic Speakers
Chief Marshals
The Committee's General Chairman has the honor of selecting the Chief Marshal for each celebration. Beginning in the early 1800's through to the current celebration. Considered to be one of the highest honors bestowed on a Bristolian.
Past Chief Marshals
Visiting Ships
Part of our celebration is the visiting ship. The U.S. Navy sends a ship to spend a week in Bristol during our celebration. Starting in the early 1900's, a ship has been part of the celebration for nearly 100 continuous years.
Past Visiting Ships
Miss and Little Miss Fourth of July
Each year sixteen 16-20 year old girls compete for the honor of wearing the Miss Fourth of July Crown during the celebration and on the Miss Fourth of July float in the parade. In 1997, we added the Little Miss Fourth of July as sixteen 6-12 year old girls compete for the Little Miss Fourth of July title.
Past Miss & Little Miss Fourth of July
Hattie Brown Award Recipients
Presented each year to a Bristolian who demonstrates the same spirit of community service that was so much the distinguishable trait of Hattie Brown.
Past Hattie Brown Recipients
Button Contest Winners
Each year since 1992, children in Bristol have entered the Button Contest. The winner is chosen by a panel from the Souvenir Committee, presented a $100 savings bond and is given the opportunity to march in the parade The button is the Official Button of the Fourth of July Celebration.
Past Button Winners
The Committee's General Chairman has the honor of selecting the Chief Marshal for each celebration. Beginning in the early 1800's through to the current celebration. Considered to be one of the highest honors bestowed on a Bristolian.
Past Chief Marshals
Visiting Ships
Part of our celebration is the visiting ship. The U.S. Navy sends a ship to spend a week in Bristol during our celebration. Starting in the early 1900's, a ship has been part of the celebration for nearly 100 continuous years.
Past Visiting Ships
Miss and Little Miss Fourth of July
Each year sixteen 16-20 year old girls compete for the honor of wearing the Miss Fourth of July Crown during the celebration and on the Miss Fourth of July float in the parade. In 1997, we added the Little Miss Fourth of July as sixteen 6-12 year old girls compete for the Little Miss Fourth of July title.
Past Miss & Little Miss Fourth of July
Hattie Brown Award Recipients
Presented each year to a Bristolian who demonstrates the same spirit of community service that was so much the distinguishable trait of Hattie Brown.
Past Hattie Brown Recipients
Button Contest Winners
Each year since 1992, children in Bristol have entered the Button Contest. The winner is chosen by a panel from the Souvenir Committee, presented a $100 savings bond and is given the opportunity to march in the parade The button is the Official Button of the Fourth of July Celebration.
Past Button Winners
Part of our celebration is the visiting ship. The U.S. Navy sends a ship to spend a week in Bristol during our celebration. Starting in the early 1900's, a ship has been part of the celebration for nearly 100 continuous years.
Past Visiting Ships
Miss and Little Miss Fourth of July
Each year sixteen 16-20 year old girls compete for the honor of wearing the Miss Fourth of July Crown during the celebration and on the Miss Fourth of July float in the parade. In 1997, we added the Little Miss Fourth of July as sixteen 6-12 year old girls compete for the Little Miss Fourth of July title.
Past Miss & Little Miss Fourth of July
Hattie Brown Award Recipients
Presented each year to a Bristolian who demonstrates the same spirit of community service that was so much the distinguishable trait of Hattie Brown.
Past Hattie Brown Recipients
Button Contest Winners
Each year since 1992, children in Bristol have entered the Button Contest. The winner is chosen by a panel from the Souvenir Committee, presented a $100 savings bond and is given the opportunity to march in the parade The button is the Official Button of the Fourth of July Celebration.
Past Button Winners
Each year sixteen 16-20 year old girls compete for the honor of wearing the Miss Fourth of July Crown during the celebration and on the Miss Fourth of July float in the parade. In 1997, we added the Little Miss Fourth of July as sixteen 6-12 year old girls compete for the Little Miss Fourth of July title.
Past Miss & Little Miss Fourth of July
Hattie Brown Award Recipients
Presented each year to a Bristolian who demonstrates the same spirit of community service that was so much the distinguishable trait of Hattie Brown.
Past Hattie Brown Recipients
Button Contest Winners
Each year since 1992, children in Bristol have entered the Button Contest. The winner is chosen by a panel from the Souvenir Committee, presented a $100 savings bond and is given the opportunity to march in the parade The button is the Official Button of the Fourth of July Celebration.
Past Button Winners
Presented each year to a Bristolian who demonstrates the same spirit of community service that was so much the distinguishable trait of Hattie Brown.
Past Hattie Brown Recipients
Button Contest Winners
Each year since 1992, children in Bristol have entered the Button Contest. The winner is chosen by a panel from the Souvenir Committee, presented a $100 savings bond and is given the opportunity to march in the parade The button is the Official Button of the Fourth of July Celebration.
Past Button Winners
Each year since 1992, children in Bristol have entered the Button Contest. The winner is chosen by a panel from the Souvenir Committee, presented a $100 savings bond and is given the opportunity to march in the parade The button is the Official Button of the Fourth of July Celebration.
Past Button Winners
OUR HISTORY
The Annual Bristol 4th of July Celebration began in 1785 when Rev. Henry Wight of the First Congregational Church and Veteran of the Revolutionary War conducted the first Patriotic Exercises. These Exercises are observed each year on the morning of July 4th. It is not known exactly when the Parade started but it is thought that it evolved from the procession of community members walking to Patriotic Exercises. The Parade, the Military, Civic and Firemen's Parade, is believed to have begun in the early 1800’s.
The Celebration officially starts on June 14th, Flag Day, and concludes with the 2.5 mile Military, Civic and Firemen’s Parade on July 4th. Throughout the period following the Flag Day Ceremony numerous events are scheduled. They include a concert series at Independence Park, Fireworks, a Drum Corps Show , a Firefighters muster and a 4th of July Ball as well as many other events.