Thursday, July 1, 1999 Older Editions

Once again, fab Fourth planned for Andover

Andover's Independence Day celebration kicks off early this year, with the fireworks display starting at dusk on Saturday, July 3, at the Greater Lawrence Technical School on River Road.

The rest of the holiday activities, sponsored by the Department of Community Services, will take place Sunday, July 4, and will feature traditional and new events, beginning with the Pancake Breakfast, hosted by the Board of Selectmen, running from 8-11 a.m. in The Park at Bartlet and Chestnut streets.

The annual Horribles Parade will begin forming at 9 a.m. in front of the Town Offices on Punchard Avenue. All residents are encouraged to dress up as desired and participate. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. down Main Street.

Representatives from businesses and neighborhoods will march alongside parade favorites Monkey and Me, Herty Gerty, Uncle Sam and many others. A jazz band will also play for the crowd.

Among the new entertainment options this year is an 80-foot-long obstacle course.

"It's something different," says Kim Stamas, of Community Services, the events organizer. "It is an extreme obstacle course that is geared toward older elementary kids. There will also be a boot camp obstacle course available for the younger kids."

Stamas said that the obstacle course for older children will be timed, to provide some competition. Both courses will be available from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in The Park.

Besides the obstacle course, there will be a moon walk for younger children, a doughnut-eating contest and a watermelon-eating contest. The traditional clowns and stilt walkers will also be around to entertain throughout the morning. The games and moonwalk will be available from 10 a.m. to noon.

The fireworks, which moved from Andover High School several years ago, is remaining at GLTS because of more available parking, a better view of the display and the safety provided by having the river behind the display.