Upper Valley Connections

ISSUE NO. 15 - JULY 2, 2026

It's the kind of July heat that makes shade feel like a public service, so this week we're rounding up the best places in the Valley to cool off. Independence Day is spreading itself across the whole week this year, with celebrations from Lebanon to Woodstock, and free concerts stacking up at Lake Morey two nights running.

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Save the Date

The Junction Dance Festival kicks off next Friday, July 10, with a free community dinner and dance-film night in Thetford -- ten days of free workshops and performances across White River Junction, Norwich, and Thetford. The Main Showcase lands at the Briggs Opera House Saturday, July 18. Full story next week.

Happening Today

Lebanon throws its Independence Day party a few days early -- Family Entertainment and a Front Porch Concert fill Colburn Park from 4 to 9pm, with fireworks at Storrs Hill around 9:15. King Arthur's Summer Dinner & Music Series runs 4:30 to 7 in Norwich. And Shaggy plays the Lake Morey Summer Concert Series tonight, free, gates at 6.

This weekend brings Independence Day celebrations from Hanover to Corinth, plus fireworks in Wilder and a "Fifth of July" show in Woodstock. Later in the week: Guster at Lake Morey, zydeco at the Hop, and pizza night at King Arthur.

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Farmers' Markets

All eight markets are running this holiday week -- Lebanon, Hartland, Norwich, Mt Tom, Canaan, the Monday Mini Market at Honey Field Farm, West Hartford Library, and Market on the Green in Woodstock.

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This Week in the Upper Valley

Where to Beat the Heat

July has a way of making the Valley feel smaller -- everyone converging on the same handful of places that actually make sense in this weather. If today's forecast has you side-eyeing the thermometer, here's the short list.

Start with water. Storrs Pond in Hanover remains the reliable choice -- two sandy beaches, a heated pool, and a splash pad. Treasure Island on Lake Fairlee has a groomed beach, a lifeguard, and two docks to jump off. Lebanon's Veterans Memorial Pool and Hartford's Sherman Manning Aquatic Facility are both solid town-pool options, and Silver Lake State Park in Barnard is worth the drive. True's Brook in West Lebanon and Boston Lot up the hill above it are local favorites -- unsupervised, so bring a friend.

If water isn't your thing, the Valley has no shortage of air conditioning with something to do attached. The Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich has 150-plus hands-on exhibits and a concrete stream out back. The Upper Valley Aquatic Center in White River Junction has an indoor splash park and lazy river, and Tip Top Pottery nearby is a good pick if you'd rather sit still with the AC running. The Hood Museum at Dartmouth is free and cool, and you could always take in a movie at the Nugget Theater in Hanover or Entertainment Cinemas in Lebanon -- sometimes the best plan is just to sit in the dark for two hours. Or pick a restaurant with good AC and make an afternoon of it.

And don't overlook the libraries. Howe Library in Hanover, Kilton in West Lebanon, and Norwich Public Library are all air-conditioned, free, and generally the calmest places in the Valley on a hot afternoon.

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