For 30 years, the Rochester community has gathered every year on July 3rd at the Rochester Fairgrounds to see the best fireworks display in the Seacoast area.

Do you know who started the fireworks celebration? Most people think the City of Rochester puts on the event, but in actuality the Rochester Jaycees started the tradition and are responsible for making this a reality in the City of Rochester.

The three Jaycees who initiated the project and pushed to have it completed were Charles Ward (a Jaycee since 1959, a past president to the Jaycees, a current Associate, as well as a past president, has held every local office for the Jaycees, a Granite Statesmen, US Jaycee Ambassador, US Senator, and Life member of the Jaycees), Dennis Dube (a past president to the Jaycees, a current Associate, Senator, Granite Statesmen, and lifetime member), and Frank Ernest (former owner of the Bonanza in town).

Charles Ward is a wonderful man and a valued Associate Jaycee and I was able to talk with him a while ago about his whole experience with the project and he gave us a little of the history behind the event. Charlie stated that the three men had dreamed of starting a 4th celebration in Rochester for some time. Back in 1978 there were several towns that had fireworks including Dover, Portsmouth, and Alton Bay; but not in Rochester. They felt that Rochester deserved to have its own fireworks: bringing families together, getting more business involved in the community, and, most importantly, bring Rochester together as a community.

The idea for the event was there, but according to Charlie, there were obstacles in the way of getting it done. They needed a big enough place to hold the event, money to pay for the fireworks, and manpower to help implement the project. The Rochester Fairgrounds was the number one choice for the location of the celebration. The men envisioned an event that had food vendors, craft vendors, musical entertainment, possibly a magic show, and of course, a bonfire. The dream came to reality on July 3rd, 1978 at 3:00 in the afternoon. The finances came from a number of local supporters, local businesses, the vendors, and from fund raising done by the Jaycees, just as it's done today.

The first year, the trio expected about 2,000 people for the event, but instead 5,000 people showed up from the surrounding communities. Despite their relatively low expectations, the community opened their arms and heart to the celebration. As Charlie told me, "that night while the fireworks were going off above them with spectacular colors and noise, Frank Dube and Dennis Ernest sat on top of the green booth, (still at the fair today). The men looked up with such satisfying emotion that it actually brought tears to their eyes," according to Ward. The three of them had done what a lot of people in Rochester said would never happen.

It's amazing how people can accomplish what they set their minds to -- through pure desire to achieve, that's what the Jaycees are all about. The Night Before the 4th will take place this July 3rd, it's a whole day event starting at 3:00 in the afternoon, and like the original 1978 celebration, we will have tons of food and craft vendors, awesome musical entertainment, and much more. Come this year, mark it in your calendar, make it a family day, you won't be sorry you came.

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We're currently looking for craft and food vendors. If you call our office at 335-3100 and leave your name, address and phone number we can send you out a vendor application. You may also email info@rochesterjaycees.org

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If you're a business and would like to be a sponsor for this event please call our office and leave a message.

The Rochester Jaycees since 1958 and still going!