Fourth of July fireworks in June? It won’t happen this year, as in the past, in Harvard. Instead, Harvard will have an Independence Day celebration that includes fireworks, a road race, a parade, and field events, all within 24 hours.

Fourth of July Committee Chairman Steve Miller said in a recent interview that it was too expensive in the past to hold a fireworks celebration on or close to July 4. “This year the economy worked with us,” Miller said. With fewer towns willing to pay for fireworks, Miller was able to get the price he wanted for a July 3 show.

Miller said that the theme for the Fourth of July is “Common Good,” to honor the way the town’s residents cooperated after December’s ice storm. He cited the emergency medical technician responders, the Bromfield School’s Chef Paul Correnty, employees at the Department of Public Works, citizens who opened their houses to each other, and many others. The design of this year’s T-shirt, sales of which pay for next year’s celebration, reflects the idea of community cooperation.

The other big change for the annual pyrotechnic show is its location, which will be Fruitlands Museum rather than Bare Hill Pond. Miller said that members of his committee and the Bare Hill Pond Committee started thinking that having fireworks in a protected area such as the Bare Hill Pond watershed was not a good idea. “It just didn’t make sense,” he said. “It was legal, but not smart.”

Tim Firment, chief executive officer of Fruitlands Museum, said recently that the organization was always interested in hosting the event. Fruitlands has the parking and seating space to accommodate more than the usual 1,000 attendees. Parking will be free. However, attendees will be asked to make a $5 donation to help Fruitlands pay for cleanup or to make a donation of a bag of groceries for Loaves & Fishes. Handicapped parking will be available.

Firment said Fruitlands will close its main gates at 4 p.m. and open the south entrance at 5 p.m. One favorite parking area, Prospect Hill Road, will be restricted that night. Police Chief Ed Denmark told the Press that the hill limits drivers’ ability to see pedestrians, and many are expected.

Firment emphasized that the event will be family-centered. The museum staff welcomes picnics on the grass. In addition, catering will be provided by Quarterdeck Seafoods, which will offer lobster rolls, pulled pork, grilled salmon, and more. A music festival will kick off the event at 5 p.m. Five local bands will be brought in by Miller’s son, Ian, who has run festivals in the past, Miller said.

The fireworks display will begin at dusk, sometime between 9 and 9:30 p.m.

Fire Chief Bob Mignard said that the state fire marshal approved the new site. Mignard said his main concern is that it is the first time fireworks will be held at Fruitlands. “It’s a new venue, so we’re not sure what the danger is.” He walked the site with the fireworks “shooter,” and plans to have fire trucks surrounding the area. “The fire danger is no greater than it was at Bare Hill Pond,” he said.