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EAST BROOKFIELD – Jeeps adorned in American flags and large inflatable rubber ducks could be heard honking on Main street in East Brookfield for the town’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Families watched as fire trucks, vintage cars, and other decorated vehicles drove past and blared their horns patriotically.
East Brookfield’s annual Independence Day celebration took place on July 10 and 11 on Connie Mack Field, offering fireworks, a parade, and other entertainment.
Denise Farmosa, a Spencer resident who brought her grandchildren to the event, said she has gone to Independence Day celebrations in East Brookfield many times.
“It’s always fun…communities getting together, celebrating something, especially when it’s our 250th anniversary for our country.”
Carnival rides, vendor tents, and food trucks could be found on and surrounding the field on the sunny day.
Holly Spahn, the chair of East Brookfield’s Friends for the Community, said it took about three years as a committee to reintroduce carnival rides to the event after about 20 years of not having it.
“It doesn’t stop. After we’re done today, we’ll be here tomorrow to clean up.” She said the community is a major component in setting up and holding the festivity.
“People are very appreciative that [the Friends for the Community] took it over so that it didn’t fall through,” she said. “With the way budgets and stuff are now, the fire department just couldn’t man it anymore.”
The transition to the committee managing the event occurred in 2024, making 2026 their third year setting up the celebration. Still, Spahn said both the fire and police department significantly helped with putting on the event.
Having grown up in East Brookfield, Spahn has fond memories of the town’s patriotic celebration since childhood. “I remember [the parade] as a very small child, so I love seeing the little kids and all that.”
Ann Keefe, a resident of East Brookfield since 1989, said the event “has really expanded compared to what it’s been in the past.” She remembers it being held in the former junior high school in East Brookfield with a few food vendors.
“As far as the participation from all of the local towns, it’s really nice to see the fire trucks and all the people driving in them, showing up,” Keefe said. “Lots of spirit for the 250th.” She and her daughter planned to watch the fireworks at home from the front porch, being able to see the sparks through the trees.
Briana Azier, a vendor and the owner of candy business Bri’s Sweet Treats, said people were excited to see her tent and some found out about the celebration from a social media post she made.
“People are continuing to follow us and they’re vested in what we’re doing in the community and that is special.” She was happy to support the event with chocolates and free samples.
Across from the food trucks, Joyce Ahearn sold crochet animals for her business The Crochet Addict on the field and had last vended in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We just wanted to get out and have a good time and watch the fireworks,” Ahearn explained. She said people love the crochet animals, finding them cute and fun to play with.
On the other side of the field, the 64th Regiment of Foot performed as British soldiers in a historical reenactment of the Revolutionary War. Soldiers, some of whom were East Brookfield and Spencer residents, executed basic drills, advanced drills, and firing demonstrations with prop guns.
James Carroll, who is also nicknamed Jim, played the captain of the light infantry and explained many people take part in the hobby to learn more history and out of appreciation for the time period.
“The hobby itself lends a great deal of information that you usually don’t pick up in a normal book,” Carroll said. He personally joined as a former history teacher who took interest in the era.
Carroll explained that the infantry performed at East Brookfield’s Independence Day after being invited and wanting to support the town.
Louise Meyer Dierks played as a camp follower, wearing a colonial dress and bonnet while cooking food such as clam chowder for the reenactment.
“It’s very, very rough camping,” Dierks said. “There’s no nice things. No flush toilets or anything.” Still, she said she loves camping with the infantry and got into the hobby with her husband.
Before the firing demonstration, Sen. Peter J. Durant and Congressman Donald Berthiaume, commonly referred to as Donnie, presented a replica of the Declaration of Independence.
“It’s such an amazing history that we’ve had here for 250 years,” Durant remarked. “And to have a document that’s been replicated like that on original paper…it’s really nice.”
Berthiaume called it “an honor” to be a representative during America’s 250th anniversary and present the document. He remarked that after seeing 25 different countries during his time in the Navy, the United States is “the best country in the world to live in.”
