Celebrating Independence Day — and community — at Picnic in the Park
“It’s wonderful to see a community come out here and just enjoy their time. That’s what it’s all about.”
Children’s entertainer Shon Gordon gazed out over the 48th annual Picnic in the Park and the sea of Concordians and families from neighboring towns gathered at Emerson Field.
“It feels so genuine,” said Gordon, whose third appearance at the traditional Independence Day event featured music, bubbles, and a colorful, kid-pleasing parachute. “I love to see families hanging out. It’s a great atmosphere.”
The event kicked off with its classic parade of children on bikes, scooters, and in strollers decked in red, white, and blue, rolling as one from the Armory to the Emerson track.
“We went to the craft store and got ribbons to decorate just for the parade,” said Chris Hillebrand, who was at the picnic with his daughter, Ellis.
The weather was picture-perfect as families spread out on the field with picnic blankets and lawn chairs, enjoying live music from Southern Rail, a bluegrass band, and Gordon’s Rockabye Beats. Kids tried their hand at a perennial favorite: the Acton Fire Department’s interactive hose game.
Local groups volunteered at the food and activity stands. The Masons manned the grill, keeping watch over the hot dogs and burgers.
“We like to give back to the community in the morning, and I think in the evening, we go home with our families, watching fireworks or something,” said Forrest Gill, a member of the local lodge.
“It’s wonderful to see a community come out here and just enjoy their time. That’s what it’s all about,” Gill said.
Shingo Yasuhara and his children made the trip from Newton — and made a full day of stops.
“Since it’s Independence Day, we thought visiting here would be nice to really follow our history: We were at the Robbins House and the North Bridge first, and then came here,” said Yasuhara, who was on hand for the annual Robbins House reading of the classic Frederick Douglass essay, “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?”
Some said celebrating Independence Day this year was not without its conflicts. “That’s a tough question right now,” Concordian Clarissa Cooley said when asked what the Fourth means to her.
For George Herbolsheimer, Independence Day “is a reminder to me that our freedom isn’t free, wasn’t free, and that we all have to continue to maintain it and do our part to do that.”
Herbolsheimer is the treasurer of the Picnic in the Park committee. Since 2010, he’s been helping with the summertime event — which, he said, has seen some bumps in the road due to rising expenses and a decrease in the number of people offering to pitch in.
“If you’re here on the Fourth, we’ll take you and put you on the committee. We’re always looking for volunteers to help,” he said.
Going ahead, “I hope it’ll continue to be a small-town Fourth,” Herbolsheimer said.
“We would like it to be a town organization, but I think we’re very happy if it’s just a community-supported organization, which it’s always been,” he said, “and as long as I’m capable, I’ll be here doing it.”
