Barrington’s Fourth of July has community feel

The Fourth of July Celebration Committee, Inc. would like to take this opportunity to welcome all the new families that have recently moved to the Barrington community.

One of the community events the committee would like to share with you is a true hometown tradition, Barrington’s Fourth of July Celebration.

In the mid ’70s, some of Barrington’s civic organizations decided they wanted to give back to the Barrington community by creating a small environment to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends, raise money for the fireworks and pass along any remaining proceeds to charities in the area.

On the corner of Spring and Main streets, in the parking lot of Village Liquors, a grill was fired up and brats and beer were served. In 1984, an official organization known as “The Barrington Area Fourth of July Celebration Committee, Inc.” was formed and the “Brat Tent” moved to a larger space to accommodate the growing community.

The excitement of the festival grew so much with daytime children’s entertainment and activities, two bands performing each night that the it had to be moved once more in 2009.

Today, the Fourth of July Celebration aka “The Brat” festival, now located in the North Commuter lot, between Spring and Wool streets, is one of the leading traditions within the community.

Each year members from the Barrington Lions Club, the Barrington Junior Women’s Club, the Barrington Breakfast and Noon Rotary clubs and the Kiwanis Club volunteer time to plan an event for the entire family to enjoy.

This year’s festival kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, June 29, with live music by Soda (www.sodarocks.com) and runs through Wednesday, July 4.

For a complete listing of entertainment or other information, visit www.Barrington4thofJuly.com.