July 4th at Chautauqua Institution

by webchq on July 7, 2018 4.8K views

When Theodore Roosevelt visited Chautauqua in 1905, he described this place as “a gathering that is typically American, in that it is typical of America at its best.” Each summer, Chautauquans showcase their American spirit with a day filled with celebrations of country and community. The Children’s School parade, Chautauqua Community Band concert, Independence Day Pops Celebration, and fireworks over a flare-lined Chautauqua Lake make for a day that is, indeed, typical of America at its best.

Photos by: Haldan Kirsh, Riley Robinson and Abigail Dollins

Students from the Children's School sing "This Land is Your Land" outside of the Colonnade during the Fourth of July Parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Children of the Boy's and Girl's Club sing and cheer on Bestor Plaza for the annual Children's School Independence Day Parade Wednesday, July 4, 2018. RILEY ROBINSON/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Children's School students sing patriotic songs on Bestor Plaza at the conclusion of the annual Children's School Independence Day Parade Wednesday, July 4, 2018. RILEY ROBINSON/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Vivienne Ingold, left, and Lucy Voboril, both 5, cheer with other Children's School students on Bestor Plaza during the annual Children's School Independence Day Parade Wednesday, July 4, 2018. RILEY ROBINSON/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Athena Anderegg, 3, walks down Pratt Street in the annual Children's School Independence Day Parade Wednesday, July 4, 2018. RILEY ROBINSON/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Teddy Sparr waves to the crowd during the Children's School Fourth of July Parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Mike Day waves his American flag to classic American tunes played by the Chautauqua Community Band during the 26th Annual Independence Day Concert on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Michael Rosenthal, 3, gets his face painted by Nicole Lindbloom during the Chautauqua Community Band Concert on Bestor Plaza on July 4, 2018. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Michael Rosenthal, 3, gets his face painted by Nicole Lindbloom during the Chautauqua Community Band Concert on Bestor Plaza on July 4, 2018. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Percussionist Nancy Weintraub during the Chautauqua Community Band Concert on Bestor Plaza on July 4, 2018. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Crowds gather on Bestor Plaza before the Chautauqua Community Band Fourth of July Concert on July 4, 2018. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Gary Bedrosian rises for the national anthem played by the Chautauqua Community Band during the Fourth of July celebration on Bestor Plaza on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Gary Bedrosian rises for the national anthem played by the Chautauqua Community Band during the Fourth of July celebration on Bestor Plaza on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Ben Weintraub, left, and Hannah Weintraub, 11, play the saxophone during the Chautauqua Community Band Concert on Bestor Plaza on July 4, 2018. Ben and Hannah are the son and granddaughter of Community Band leader Jason Weintraub. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Jason Weintraub conducts at the 27th Chautauqua Community Band concert on Tuesday, Jul. 4, on Bestor Plaza. OLIVIA SUN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Miles Borden, 10, conducts the Chautauqua Community Band during the Fourth of July Concert on Bestor Plaza on July 4, 2018. HALDAN KIRSCH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Alto saxophone player Rick Evans shows his patriotism by wearing an American flag cowboy hat on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. This was the Chautauqua Community Band's 26th Annual Independence Day Concert. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Alto saxophone player Rick Evans shows his patriotism by wearing an American flag cowboy hat on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. This was the Chautauqua Community Band's 26th Annual Independence Day Concert. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Mark Bayer celebrates the Fourth of July on Bestor Plaza by listening to the Chautauqua Community Band during its 26th Annual Independence Day Concert. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Amina Hagner, 4, marches on the brick walk during the Chautauqua Community Band's 26th Annual Independence Day Concert on Bestor Plaza on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Stephanie Dawson enjoys the shade during the 26th Annual Independence Day Concert performed by Chautauqua Community Band on Bestor Plaza. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
James and Deborah Fallows, authors of "Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America," lecture on the theme "American Identity" Wednesday, July 4, 2018 in the Amphitheater. RILEY ROBINSON/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Meshulam Ungar lights a sparkler at one of Chautauqua's popular viewing points for fireworks, North Lake Dr., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Cousins Miranda Ponkow, 7, and Olivia Falvo, 8, celebrate the Fourth of July with their families near the waterfront of Chautauqua Lake on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Augustus Falvo, 10, Miranda Ponkow, 7, and Olivia Falvo, 8, celebrate the Fourth of July with their families near the waterfront of Chautauqua Lake on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chautauquans celebrate the Fourth of July near the waterfront of Chautauqua Lake. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Meshulam Ungar lights a sparkler at one of Chautauqua's popular viewing points for fireworks, North Lake Dr., on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. ABIGAIL DOLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER