250th Anniversary Celebrations

The Town of Center Harbor will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence with various events throughout the year. Check back as we will be updating as more information is finalized.

Monday, May 25, 2026: Memorial Day Parade

• 12 noon start at Chase Circle with stops at Nichols Library, Town Docks and Town Cemetery
• Inter-Lakes High School Marching Band; local scouts walking
• Looking for Center Harbor Veterans to walk/ride in the parade (contact Nancy Bickford at 603-455-1632 or by email: parksandrecreation@centerharbornh.gov to participate)
• Small social hour after parade with drinks and treats

Saturday, July 4, 2026 Activities All day starting at 9 a.m.

• 9 a.m.: Children’s footraces
• 10 a.m.: 1.776 mile and 5-mile footrace start
• 1 p.m.: Parade starts at Chase Circle: THEME: America 250! Looking for various participants, walkers, decorated bikes, floats, antique cars, etc.
• There will be ribbons and trophies as well as monetary prizes for top participants.
• Get your family, your friends or even your business ready to participate!
• 6 p.m.: Town Band Concert at the Bandstand
• Dusk: Fireworks

Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 7 p.m.: Redcoats & Rebels: New Hampshire and the American Revolution

This presentation starts at 7 p.m.

New Hampshire often gets overlooked in the narrative of the American Revolution, overshadowed by its noisy neighbor to the south. Nowadays, few people know about Paul Revere’s first ride, which was to Portsmouth in December 1774 to warn the patriots that the British were coming to reinforce Fort William and Mary, five months before the Redcoats marched on Concord and Lexington. Nor do they know that two-thirds of the troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill were from New Hampshire.

Most people are also unaware that New Hampshire’s Provincial Congress adopted the first state constitution in January 1776, making no mention of royal authority and essentially declaring independence from Great Britain six months before anyone else. And this is just the beginning of New Hampshire’s revolutionary story.

This presentation is made possible to attend by New Hampshire Humanities. It is free to attend.

Please contact library to pre-register by Friday, July 3.

Call the library at (603) 253-6950 or email centerharborlibrary@gmail.com for more details.

Friday August 28, 2026: End of Summer Party

• Beach activities, contests and ice cream party
• 6 p.m.: No Limitz Band Concert with fun and dancing

Additional activities are still being planned

Sunday, September 6, 2026: Winnipesaukee Lantern Festival

This event is scheduled for the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Jared Maraio, General Manager of The Mount Washington Cruises, is working with the State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) regarding this event, which will feature luminarias. The Mount Washington will be open to the public with music on the ship and local businesses will be asked to participate. The festival will be a fundraiser for Lakes Region Tourism, kicking off on Mother’s Day.

More details to come.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026: United States of America Proclamation

The Selectmen will issue a Proclamation recognizing the 250th anniversary of Congress formally declaring the official Country name as “United States of America”.