Charles Slater is draped in flags as he gets ready for the Hopkinton children’s parade in downtown Contoocook on the 4th of July 2018.
Charles Slater is draped in flags as he gets ready for the Hopkinton children’s parade in downtown Contoocook on the 4th of July 2018. Credit: GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

In spite of the soaring temperatures on Wednesday, residents braved the heat to watch two parades on the 4th of July in downtown Contoocook, the annual Hopkinton children’s parade followed by the full parade down Main Street from Hopkinton High School all the way through the downtown.