Civic Days ramps up fun for festive 50th.

Byline: Paula J. Owen

FITCHBURG - What do beer, cow chips, rubber ducks and doll carriages have in common? They are all part of this year's Civic Days celebration - committee members have ramped up all the activities for the event's 50th anniversary.

Two weekends of fun are scheduled, beginning June 26.

Civic Days committee member Kenneth P. Jones said one of the event's biggest draws, the Civic Days parade, is the largest and oldest Fourth of July parade in north Central Massachusetts. This year's 50th anniversary celebration will feature the largest parade yet.

"Civic Days is the last remaining Fourth of July event in the region," he said. "This year's celebration is the largest event in recent history, and the community is getting behind it."

Events kick off at Riverfront Park at 6:30 p.m. June 26 with the popular Amazing Duck Race. The event is free, but participants can adopt a duck for $5 or a flock of ducks for $20. The ducks will be placed in the Nashua River, and the first to cross the finish line will be awarded $1,000, with second place taking home $500 and third, $250.

Those with time to spare before the duck race can head over to the Senior Center, 14 Wallace Ave., for the crowning of the king and queen and the Young American Awards from noon to 1 p.m. A chicken barbecue is planned for $7.

On June 27, the second annual Nashua River Brewers Fest, Civic Days' principal fundraiser, will showcase dozens of brewers under two tents, serving up tasty brews, including Sam Adams, Harpoon, Magic Hat, Sierra Nevada, Wachusett and Shipyard.

Beers for Good, the group running the event, was formed last year by members Robin Streb, David Streb, Liz Murphy and Trevor Bonilla with a goal of helping local charities in the city.

"A few of us were having a beer together and said to ourselves, `We've been to some great brewers' festivals in the last year. Why don't we do one for some local charities here in Fitchburg?'" said Mr. Streb.

Beers for Good's mission is to raise money for a good cause, educate the public about the great variety of craft beers in the region, and attract people to the city of Fitchburg, he said.

"We do this by producing high-quality, beer-centric events in Fitchburg that are both entertaining and showcase the great entertainment and recreation venues the city of Fitchburg has to offer," he said.

Mr. Streb said there is a great lineup of music this year with the Allstonians, the Gobshites, Bunny's a Swine and New Pond Fondle featured at the event.

The brewers fest runs from 1 to 7 p.m. and open to all 21 and older. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $12 at the door, and can be purchased at the mayor's office, Gomes Liquors, Mill No. 3 Farmstand and The Rabbit Hole bookstore. Attendees receive a free commemorative glass with admission. For more information, visit www.beersforgood.com.

On June 28, a bike and doll carriage parade at Riverfront Park is planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the City of Fitchburg Softball Tournament at Coolidge Park at 1 p.m. with city officials and employees competing. Both events are free.

The Fourth of July weekend kicks off July 3 with Cow Chip Poker at 4 p.m. at Amoit Field, then a downtown block party with a host of live entertainers and vendors at 5 p.m., and ending with a fireworks display at 10 p.m.

For the first time in many years, the fireworks will be let off on Rollstone Hill.

Squares for Cow Chip Poker can be purchased at the mayor's office. Marshall Farm's cow, Olivia, will leave her deposit on the winning square, while the band Gale Force performs at Amoit Field, across the street from Crocker Field on River Street.

Mayor Lisa A. Wong said Olivia the cow can be influenced.

"Bring your bells, horns, whatever it takes to get the cow over to your particular square," she said.

Last but not least, on July 4 the 50th anniversary Fourth of July parade starts at 10 a.m. and will feature a flyover by the Air Force.

The parade starts at the intersection of John Fitch Highway and Summer Street, and ends at the Upper Common.

Entertainers and special guests are coming in for the event, and an after-party barbecue will be held at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center. Tickets cost $7 and $5 for children.

For more information on all events, call [phone].

ART: PHOTO

PHOTOG: T&G File Photo/RICK CINCLAIR

CUTLINE: (1) Ron Kamel of the International Veterans Chorus sings in the 2006 Fitchburg Civic Days Fourth of July Parade. (2) Der Yang and others march with the Hmong-Lao Foundation in the 2006 Fitchburg Civic Days Fourth of July Parade. (3) A horse and rider representing the Adventurer Club make their way down Main Street during the 2006 Fitchburg Civic Days Fourth of July Parade.