Around about now, Katy Perry gets stuck on repeat in our head. We watched her Firework video again and start getting excited for the Fourth. To keep the soundtrack in our head relevant, we’ve put together a list of Fourth of July activities — not just fireworks, but parades, fleet blessings and more. It’ll keep you humming all week long.
Boom, boom, boom.
Fireworks
All events are listed from East to West (or a rough approximation of that!)
Onset-Wareham Fireworks, July 7, 9ish (we love a good when a schedule officially uses “ish”), Onset Beach. See more here.
Middleboro Fireworks, July 6, 10:00, Pierce Playground. See more here.
New Bedford Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular 2018, July 4, 9:00, State Pier, Downtown New Bedford. Viewing from lower Union Street. See more here.
Freetown Fireworks Festival, July 3, 6-10 pm, Hathaway Park, Water Street, Assonet (near the former The Assonet Inn). See more here.
Fall River Fireworks, July 4, 9:30, Fall River Heritage State Park, Davol Street at the waterfront.
Parades
Bourne on the Fourth, July 4, 10:00, Main Street, Buzzards Bay. See more here. This parade gets a prize for best named patriotic parade.
Marion Fourth of July Parade, July 4, 9:00, Spring Street, Marion. See more here.
Fourth of July Car Cruise and Parade, July 4, 9:00, starts at Fairhaven High School, 12 Huttleston Avenue, Fairhaven. Floats and marchers join at Cushman Park. See more here.
Freetown Annual Parade, July 4, 10:00, South Main and Water Streets.
Westport Annual Parade, July 4, 10:00 (road closure at 9:00), Main Road north of Hix Bridge Road. See more here.
Other Fun Stuff
Onset Blessing of the Fleet, Pet Parade, Bike Parade & Doll Carriage Parade, July 7, Onset Pier, Onset Avenue. Participating boaters parade their vessel on a route that will form between the islands near red nun 14, then proceed inbound to the face of the Onset Pier where vessels will be cheered by spectators and blessed by a local priest. Boaters are encouraged to decorate their boats and prizes are given. At 10 a.m., just before the vessel parade, children of all ages are invited to participate in the Pet, Bike & Doll Carriage Parades. See more here.
Middleboro Carnival, July 3 – July 7, evenings. Pierce Playground. See more here.
Mattapoisett 5 Mile Road Race, July 4, 9:00, Shipyard Park, 13 Water Street, Mattapoisett. $25 on July 3 or $30 if registering on July 4 (includes t-shirt) . See more here.
Fort Phoenix Independence Day Ceremony and Cannon Salute, July 4, 10:00, Fort Phoenix, Fort Street, Fairhaven. Following the Car Cruise and Parade, there will be a patriotic program at the Fort featuring a reading of the Declaration of Independence, Emma Lazarus’ poem “The New Colossus,” and the firing of the fort’s five 24-pound Seacoast Defense cannons by the Fairhaven Village Militia. See more here.
4th of July with Frederick Douglas, July 4, 10-2, Customs House Square, Barkers Lane, New Bedford. Meet Frederick Douglass and other people who lived in New Bedford during the 1800s. At 12:00 Frederick Douglass will give a speech in which he discusses slavery, independence, justice, and what it means to be an American. Hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud. In addition you will be able to meet Douglass, the 1850s Ladies, Civil War soldiers, local leaders, and park rangers. See more here.
Want to make sure you keep up with EVERYTHING on the South Coast? Sign up here for our free email newsletter right here!
You can also subscribe to our print magazine which has even more activities and events to keep you busy all year. You can buy a copy of our current issue right here for just $8.95 delivered to your door. An annual subscription is right here.