New Harmony celebrates Fourth of July with annual program, golf cart parade and picnic

The town of New Harmony, Indiana's 2018 Fourth of July celebration will start at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 4 at the Atheneum with the annual program from The Friends of the Working Men's Institute.

The program, co-sponsored by University of Southern Indiana and New Harmony Kiwanis, will feature Boy Scout Troop 386 presenting the flags, a performance of patriotic songs from the Community Choir, a reading of the Declaration of Independence by USI president emerita Dr. Linda L.M. Bennett, and a discussion by Katie DeFries, a New Harmony resident, exploring "What does freedom mean to you?" and the differing ideas of freedom from around the world.

Following the program, there will be a decorated golf cart parade from the Atheneum through town ending at Maclure Park, where the golf carts will be judged and prizes awarded.

At Maclure Park, festivities will continue with a community-wide picnic. The New Harmony Kiwanis will cook hot dogs and hamburgers that can be purchased for a nominal fee and Bob Minnette and the Dixieland Society will perform patriotic music from the bandstand.

During their early celebrations of the Fourth of July, members of the Harmonie Society would invite area residents into their community offering locally brewed beer to their guests. Historic New Harmony, a program of USI Outreach and Engagement, continues this tradition by providing free root beer. 

For further information, please contact Erin McCracken Merris at 812-682-4488 or at emccracken@usi.edu.