The Fourth of July Jamboree

Celebrate American Independence with Us!

Years We've Hosted the Jamboree

Hours of Activies

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Amount of Fun

The Fourth of July Jamboree has been held on East Woodstock Common since July 4, 1957. It is a celebration of our independence featuring a chicken barbeque at 11:30am, and a parade at 1pm.

The Jamboree is a much anticipated event every year. This old-fashioned celebration reminds us of a simpler time. So come with us and step back in time as we celebrate the brave people who have gone before us.

The public is invited to come and enjoy live entertainment, children’s games, contests, food, and much more. The Jamboree is a major fundraiser for the church; all the money raised supports our programs of Christian education, music, and community outreach.

It all began in 1957 with the Village Circle. This group was made up of working people who could meet in the evenings. The members were divided into 4 groups; each group was responsible for a seasonal fundraiser. The Jamboree was to be the summer fundraiser for 1957 and was started by Barbara Barrett, Nancy Lyons and Betty Wells. They decided to hold a Chicken BBQ with a few booths, including a craft table, on July 4th. The money raised was given to the church to use as the congregation saw fit. It was initially supposed to be a one-time event!

The conditions were quite different from today – Fellowship Hall had not yet been built and the church had no running water, so a hose was run from a neighboring house to the brick schoolhouse building. Various homes around the common were opened so people could use the bathrooms. The BBQ was held outdoors – no inside seating was available. The Jamboree was such a huge success, that it became an annual event which has grown and evolved over the years into our biggest and most well attended fundraiser. Hundreds of people from local communities attend each year to enjoy a good old-fashioned 4th of July.

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Food Concessions

We invite you to enjoy your lunch under our dining tent! 

  • 8:30 am Coffee & Donuts
  • 11:30 am Chicken BBQ
  • Hamburgers and Hot Dogs
  • Pulled Pork Sandwiches
  • Homemade Cookies and Pies
  • Strawberry Shortcake
  • Snow Cones
  • We-Li-Kit Homemade Ice Cream
  • Soda, Water, Lemonade

Special Activities

  • Commemorative T-shirts for sale!
  • Attic Treasures in Fellowship Hall
  • Book Sale
  • Silent Auction
  • Pipe Organ Pops Sing-a-long in the Sanctuary
  • Musical Entertainment
  • Patriotic Dedication
  • Fireman’s Water Polo
  • Cake Walk
  • Jewelry Booth

Entertainment & Games

  • Parade
  • Hay Rides
  • Children’s Games
  • Bounce House
  • Bella the Clown
  • Frog Jumping Contest
  • Bottle Booth
  • Horseshoe Tournament
  • Corn  Hole Game
  • Pinewood Derby

Organizations Supported

The money you spend at the Jamboree helps to support those in need in our local communities and globally and enables us to share the Good News of our loving God. Here are a few of the programs which our church supports:

  • Choirs
  • Covenant to Care through DCF
  • Shelters – Homeless, Domestic Violence
  • Youth Group & Giv2 Youth Outreach Program Daily Bread
  • Sunday School & Vacation Bible School
  • Community Kitchen & other Community Service
  • One Great Hour of Sharing
  • Prayer Shawl Ministry
  • Provide space for Al-anon Meetings
  • Hospital & Nursing Home visitation Special services
  • Daily Bread Food Bank
  • Emergency relief (such as tornado) DKH Homemakers, Pastoral Care Providing backpacks for needy children
  • Center of Hope & TEEG
  • Holiday dinners (Thanksgiving, Christmas)
  • Gas & grocery cards
  • Heifer International
  • Scholarships (summer camps/college)

Order of the Day

8:30 Coffee and Donuts Booth
9:00 Attic Treasures & Book Sale open!
10:45 Patriotic Dedication                                 Ringing of the Church Bells                    National Anthem led by Rachel Solomon
10:45 – 11:45 Music by the East Woodstock Cornet Band
11:00 – 4:00 Children’s Games                                      
11:00 Frog Jumping Contest
11:00 – 2:00 Children’s Entertainment with Bella the Clown
11:30 – 2:00 Chicken Barbecue       Please enter through the brick school house stairs
12:00 Horseshoe Tournament 
12:00-12:45 Music by Sarah Jo Burke
1:00 Parade with Emcee Rev. Dr. Sue Foster
1:45 – 2:30 Music by Ben Gould & Jeff Wong
 2:00 Firemen’s Water Polo                       Muddy Brook Fire Department                 Bungay Fire Brigade
 Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association
2:30 – 3:15 Music by Rick & Abby LaMarre
3:15 Pipe Organ Pops Sing-a-Long   (in the Sanctuary) with organist Brenda Rich-Pike and song leader Rev. Dr. Sue Foster
3:15-4:00 Music by Mike Glinsky
4:00 Cake Walk with music courtesy of Rich Gaudette, R&R Sound
4:30 Flag Ceremony 
10:00 – 4:30 Free Shuttle Service

Come Join Us!

Fourth of July Jamboree!