By Avice Meehan and Laura Carl

The Town of Norfolk will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence a day early, on July 3, with festivities that include a parade starting at Town Hall and a cheery gathering on the Village Green.

Organized by the Norfolk Hub, Norfolk Historical Society and the Board of Selectmen, events are open to all from 6 to 8 p.m. Bring a chair and an appetite. There will be a variety of patriotic activities including live music by Kettle Creek, family-friendly events, a pie-baking contest, colonial games, some special surprises, a community barbecue and an ice cream truck.

Everyone is invited to come together to celebrate America’s history and Norfolk’s vibrant community spirit. Children (of all ages) are encouraged to muster at Town Hall at 5:30 p.m. with their bicycles decorated in patriotic colors for an informal parade that will step off at 5:45 p.m. for the Village Green to formally kick off the special edition of Friday Nights on the Green.

First Selectman Henry Tirrell encouraged residents to look for updates as July 3 draws closer as new information will be shared through email newsletters from the town and the Hub. Anyone wishing to participate in the pie-baking contest should register at www.norfolkhub.org.