For those seeking a festive outdoor celebration, don’t miss a chance to celebrate our local heroes with the 65th Annual Arlington Fire Company Carnival. Enjoy a Chili cook off and evening fireworks! 

The Arlington Fire Department’s history and connection to The Four Freedoms dates back to November 9, 1940, fighting the fire that burned the original Arlington School to the ground. The Carnival is the largest fundraiser of the year for the local fire company. Venue: Friday and Saturday, July 20-21, 2018 at the Arlington Recreational Park. 

At 12:00 noon, Freedom of Speech and Freedom from Fear are celebrated with a patriotic and inspiring ceremony at The Factory Point Town Green in Manchester; paying tribute to military service men and women who currently fight for, veterans who have fought for, and war heroes who have fallen, fighting for our FREEDOM.  The TRIBUTE 4 FREEDOM℠ ceremony will include speeches and readings.

The 4 FREEDOMS FESTIVAL℠ Anthem, Stand Up Proud, will be performed as a part of the ceremony.

CREATE 4 FREEDOM℠ Art and Poetry Winners will be publicly recognized for their work.    There is no cost to attend this event.

ARLINGTON 4 FREEDOM continues to the South, for the 65th Annual Arlington Fire Company Carnival.   The Arlington Fire Department’s history and connection to The Four Freedoms dates back to November 9, 1940, fighting the fire that burned the original Arlington School to the ground.  The carnival is the largest fundraiser of the year for the fire company, taking place on both Friday and Saturday, July 20-21, 2018 at the Arlington Rec Park. The afternoon following the ARLINGTON 4 FREEDOM ceremony includes a Chili Cook Off and is followed by evening fireworks at the Carnival.   

Given Norman Rockwell’s long association with The Boy Scouts of America, Boy Scout Troops from Arlington and neighboring towns are partnering with the FESTIVAL to place over 2000 American flags, lining the perimeter of the Factory Point Town Green.   Flag placement will take place with a Taps bugle call; the number of flags placed will represent the number of fallen Vermonter soldiers, since the Civil War

As part of the lineup for the 1st Annual 4 FREEDOMS FESTIVAL, Manchester Community Library's Summer Wednesdays Series presents a special presentation celebrating iconic illustrator Norman Rockwell through storytelling.  Rockwell was known for depicting scenes of his every day life in Vermont, and in many cases, he called upon his neighbors to model for him.  Local models come together to share their personal first-hand stories of working with Rockwell in his Arlington studio.  Art Historian and Rockwell model, Don Trachte, Jr. will facilitate this session, including stories and images.  If you are a Rockwell enthusiast, this is a rare event that you won't want to miss! 

Norman Rockwell's "kid" models are no longer kids, but their mischievous humor and charm are more present than ever. This special gathering will take place at Arlington Memorial High School from 11:00am-2:00pm. The models will share stories of their time in Rockwell's studio and reflect on their youth in Arlington, Vermont. 

The location for this year's reunion carries extra significance as selected by the reunion organizers. Arlington’s high school burned to the ground in November of 1940. In January of 1941, an emergency town meeting was held to debate whether or not to re-build what stands today as Arlington Memorial High School. Rockwell attended the Town Hall meeting and witnessed his neighbor standing up and exercising his Freedom of Speech. He was inspired to create the first of his four iconic Four Freedoms paintings. 

A presentation by local art historian Don Trachte, Jr. is scheduled to take place at the high school's MACK Performing Arts Center from 11:00am-12:30pm. In keeping with tradition, The Arlington Lions Club will again prepare a fundraising barbecue luncheon at the high school immediately following the models reunion presentation from 12:30pm-2:00pm. This event is open to the public and subject to limited seating.