Monadnock 250
Saturday, July 4, 2026
11AM
Location
Downtown Keene , Keene, NH
Price
Free or $25 to participate
Monadnock 250
Overview
Put on your tricorne hat and buckled shoes - it's time to celebrate! The parade kicks off at 11am from Wyman Tavern, where the Minutemen started their journey to Lexington over 250 years ago. The festival starts at noon. We'll have music, dance, magic, historical demonstrations, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, food, and shopping! Come to Keene this Independence Day!
The Monadnock 250 Committee, in conjunction with the Cheshire County Historical Society and the Keene Downtown Group, proudly announces its plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
At 11am Saturday, July 4, 2026, there will be a parade downtown. Every town in the Monadnock Region is invited to participate. The first 50 groups who sign up to march or create a float will receive a free 8’x3’ banner with their organization’s name, which can be displayed during the parade. “It’s all about making memories,” says Keene Mayor Jay Kahn. “I won’t be around in 50 years to remember the 300th, but I want kids who participated in this event to still be talking about it when the Tricentennial comes around.”
Naturally, the holiday weekend will kick off Friday night with Keene’s annual SwampBats Independence Eve game and fireworks. Saturday morning, runners and walkers are invited to participate in the 24th annual Four on the Fourth, presented by Pathways for Keene. After Four on the Fourth, race winners are invited to ride on floats as parade VIPs.
Following the parade, there will be music and dance performances, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Historical demonstrations will be featured on the lawn at Wyman Tavern.
The Committee is comprised of representatives from Keene Downtown Group, Savings Bank of Walpole, Arts Alive, the County Commission, Keene High School, Pathways for Keene, Historical Society of Cheshire County and others. We are looking forward to seeing the creativity of the Monadnock Region! March 4th is the deadline to sign up to participate. The cost to register is $25, waived for student groups. For more information, please contact [email protected].
The Monadnock 250 Committee, in conjunction with the Cheshire County Historical Society and the Keene Downtown Group, proudly announces its plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
At 11am Saturday, July 4, 2026, there will be a parade downtown. Every town in the Monadnock Region is invited to participate. The first 50 groups who sign up to march or create a float will receive a free 8’x3’ banner with their organization’s name, which can be displayed during the parade. “It’s all about making memories,” says Keene Mayor Jay Kahn. “I won’t be around in 50 years to remember the 300th, but I want kids who participated in this event to still be talking about it when the Tricentennial comes around.”
Naturally, the holiday weekend will kick off Friday night with Keene’s annual SwampBats Independence Eve game and fireworks. Saturday morning, runners and walkers are invited to participate in the 24th annual Four on the Fourth, presented by Pathways for Keene. After Four on the Fourth, race winners are invited to ride on floats as parade VIPs.
Following the parade, there will be music and dance performances, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Historical demonstrations will be featured on the lawn at Wyman Tavern.
The Committee is comprised of representatives from Keene Downtown Group, Savings Bank of Walpole, Arts Alive, the County Commission, Keene High School, Pathways for Keene, Historical Society of Cheshire County and others. We are looking forward to seeing the creativity of the Monadnock Region! March 4th is the deadline to sign up to participate. The cost to register is $25, waived for student groups. For more information, please contact [email protected].