By Erica Harrington
Representing Killington’s Church of Our Saviour in the 2014 Rochester parade, Richard Podlesney drives a decorated Jeep while Melissa Maravell sings.from the back, in 2014 parade.
Dillon Dudley garners cheers with his bike stunts in the Rochester Independence Day parade in 2014.
Saturday, July 4 — ROCHESTER — Rochester runs for the Fourth! The Pierce Hall Community Center’s (PHCC) 8th annual Independence Day 5K dash for walkers and runners, and the children’s one mile run for ages 5-15 will take place at the Rochester School on Route 100 on July 4, before the town parade. The event happens in support of the historic Pierce Hall Community Center, Main Street, Rochester.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Rochester School gym. The adult walk/run event starts at 8:30 a.m.; the children’s one mile run will begin at 9 a.m. Registration fee is $15 for adults, and free for children ages 5-15. Tee shirts commemorating the event will be available for sale. The event takes place rain or shine. Prizes will be awarded at 9:30 a.m. at the school gym in the categories of men’s, women’s, and senior walk and run and the children’s one mile run.
This year, a new spectator-friendly course will be used. The course and race details will be under the direction of Rochester School teachers Terry Paquette and George Moltz. The walking course is flat, but the running course features several short but steep hills. Most of the course is on grass or dirt roads. Water will be available during the race and refreshments at the finish line.
Following the race events, the Rochester Town’s 4th of July parade begins at 11 a.m. Find a spot on the town green or along Route 100 heading into town to view the floats, tractors, fire engines, and bike riders. The parade starts at the junction of Route 73, and heads north into town.
For more info, call 802-767-3708, or email nancyestebansanz@gmail.com, or visit piercehall.org.
