Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS Even Elvis was on hand Saturday for Pepperell's annual Fourth of July celebration parade, as he tries to encourage a fan to dance while she tries to snap his photo. Hundreds turned out for the celebration, the 30th such event held in town. (Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS)

PEPPERELL, Massachusetts – For the 30th year, the Fourth of July came early in Pepperell, one of the three Massachusetts towns that share a border with Nashua and one whose nearly 12,000 residents – plus plenty of visitors – really like a parade.

Referred to by organizers as “Small Town, Big Bang Independence Celebration,” the town kicked off their townwide celebration Saturday morning with a giant, colorful parade and brought it to a resounding conclusion with a full fireworks display over Town Field, where activities took place from 6 p.m. to dark.

The crowds began to grow well ahead of the 10 a.m. parade start, lining the streets and showing off their patriotic colors as vendors provided them with any needed items.

The parade kicked off on Main Street at Town Hall, and marched to Railroad Square.

Featured were marching bands, Chinese Lion Dancers, Uncle Sam On stilts, baton twirlers, youth groups, floats, juggler Peter Panic, cool cars and tractors, the Shriners’ mini-car Fire Brigrade, a Calliope, the Ghostbusters’ car, and, of course, the fire trucks.

Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS Some of the younger participants in Saturday's Fourth of July parade in Pepperell got to ride in a wagon pulled by a tractor from Kimstead Farms. (Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS)

Sirens blared toward the end of the parade as fire apparatus from several towns and cities from Massachusetts and New Hampshire lined the streets.

Parade participants threw candy to kids lining the streets, while a local dairy even handed out chocolate milk.

Fifes and drums played by period-costumed reenactors, who marched with representatives of Pepperell’s Prudence Wright chapter, Daughters of American Revolution.

And some of the luckier onlookers were able to catch a glimpse of – and in some cases get a handshake from – Elvis himself.

–JEFFREY HASTINGS

Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS Smoke billows from vintage muskets as costumed participants fire a salute during Pepperell's annual Fourth of July parade on Saturday. (Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS)

Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS A fife and drum contingent plays while marching in Pepperell's Fourth of July parade, an annual celebration that takes place the weekend ahead of the holiday. (Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS)