Along with Thanksgiving, July 4th is a holiday Americans can claim all to themselves. There's no shortage of fun, family oriented things to do in Massachusetts from July 3-6. Boston Harborfest is the king of all things 4th of July. With hundreds of events for adults and children, including historic enactments, live music, food, and patriotic revelries, you won't run out of things to do. But Independence Day celebrations aren't limited to Boston. There is a solemn reading of the Declaration of Independence at Old Sturbridge Village; a Blessing of the Fleet with food and live music in New Bedford; pancake and strawberry festivals in Chatham; a barbecue and band festival on the lawn of the Old Whaling Church on Martha's Vineyard; and much more, including parades and fireworks in big cities and small towns across the state. Don't miss any opportunity to get out there and have some patriotic fun. Here are just some of the things to do in Massachusetts this 4th of July

GREATER BOSTON

Boston Harborfest
June 30-July 5, 2009
Festival includes more than 220 events: walking tours, concerts, Revolutionary-era historical reenactments, the famous Chowdafest, visits from U.S. and foreign naval ships; harbor cruises; State House tours; guided walking tours of the North End, Boston’s underground and the Harbor Islands; treasure hunt; tour of Coast Guard ships; whale watch and dinner cruises; chowder fest; USS Constitution Turnaround Cruise; Boston Pops concert and fireworks.

Pops Goes the 4th
July 4
Free outdoor concert in the Hatch Shell aside the Charles River is a glittering, unforgettable Independence Day tradition. This Fourth of July musical celebration includes performances of patriotic favorites like "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "America," and "Stars and Stripes Forever"; thunderous rendition of Tchaikovsky''s "1812 Overture" followed by fireworks display over Charles River

NORTH OF BOSTON & GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY

Pepperell Fourth of July
Pepperell
July 4
Parade at 12:30 p.m.; Rockin Rib Fest at the Community Center fields; fireworks at dusk. Location: Parade starts at Pepperell Town Hall, travels on Main Street East around the rotary, follows Hollis Street North past town field, turns left onto and marching up Tucker Avenue, and ends at the large parking lot between Nissitissit Middle School and the field where the fireworks are displayed.

Salisbury Beach Sand Sculpting Weekend
Salisbury
July 3-5
Celebrate the Fourth of July with a weekend celebration at Salisbury Beach featuring sand sculpting, live music and fireworks! All weekend long, professionals from Fitzy Snowman Sand Sculptors will build amazing creations from sand and lead activities for kids on the beach. Visitors can also enjoy the surf and sites of Salisbury Beach: explore the coastline at the Salisbury Beach State Reservation, play games of skill and luck in an arcade, relax at deck side establishments overlooking the ocean, or enjoy a slice of “beach” pizza from popular eateries along Broadway.

Rockport Independence Day Celebration
July 4
Rockport Firemen's Parade at 6 p.m., followed by a Legion Band Concert and bonfire on Back Beach at about 8:30 p.m

Marblehead Festival of the Arts
July 1-5
Enjoy an array of fun events and activities including: model boat building, sand sculpture, and kite flying competitions, also get an opportunity to see plain air painters and juried artists displaying their wears in downtown Marblehead.

Gloucester Independence Day Horribles Parade and Fireworks
July 3
Gloucester Horribles Parade begins at 6 p.m. and circles through downtown Gloucester. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. Favorite viewing locations: Stacy Boulevard, Stage Fort Park, Western Avenue.

Salem Celebrates the Fourth
July 4th
Join the City of Salem at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site for the 9th Annual Pops! Concert featuring the Hillyer Festival Orchestra and Fireworks. Festivities begin at 4:00 PM with the opening of the Kids' Space featuring DJ Doug Parker, dancing, games, contests and prizes, face painting, arts & crafts. Sandra Lee will perform on the main stage at 5:00 PM. Mayor Kimberley Driscoll will lead the opening ceremonies at 7:15 PM, which will feature Salem Veteran Color Guard Units and Salem Boy Scout troops. A United States Air Force flyover is planned for the event, as well.

 

PARADES

Manchester-by-the-Sea: 9:00am

SOUTH OF BOSTON

New Bedford Summerfest
July 3-5
New Bedford’s annual old-fashioned, family oriented international folk music/arts festival. This fine summertime event is hosted by the City of New Bedford and The Standard-Times held throughout New Bedford’s beautiful National Park. Featuring an array of super musical performers, artisan’s marketplace, juried crafts, international bazaar showcasing a diverse selection of imported goods, variety of delectable food vendors, whale boat races and harbor tours.

Sail Plymouth 2009
July 3-6
The three-day Sail Plymouth festival will kick off with the Welcome Sail Thursday night as the tall ships Mystic and Peacemaker arrive at Plymouth Harbor and dock by the Mayflower II on State Pier. Events include: daily boat tours, Friday Night Parade of Boats, Blessing of the Fleet, and viewing of July 4th fireworks aboard Mystic.

135th Brockton Fair
July 1-12
Lively and exciting entertainment for all ages! In addition to the always-thrilling midway full of rides, other featured entertainment includes a surprise-filled magic show, exciting demolition derby, horse racing, amateur boxing, figure 8 racing, stock car football, big bear show, magician, petting zoo, puppet shows, livestock shows and spectacular fireworks displays!

Summer Vintage Baseball Exhibition & Fireworks
July 4
5-7pm Game & 9pm Firewords
Add to the tradition of your July 4th weekend. Come to the Hingham Historical Society’s old time Base Ball game. Held at Derby Academy’s Talbot Field, there will be plenty of time to take the short walk from Derby Academy to the beach in time for the Hingham Fireworks at 9pm.The game will be played 1880s-style in reproduction uniforms. The game is free to the public, and refreshments and food will be available for purchase. Fans are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, bug spray and sun glasses.

Cranberry Coast Pops Concert & Fireworks
July 4
Concert will be held at the Bandshell and Fireworks will be over Onset Bay at dusk.

PARADES

Plymouth: 9:30am

CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS

By the Bay's 4th of July Fine Art and Craft Show
Brewster
July 3-5
There is something for every taste and every style at the By the Bay Fine Art & Craft Show in Brewster, Massachusetts. You'll find everything from a delicate watercolor that accents a room to a piece of sturdy handcrafted furniture. Other items on hand include Jewelry, pottery, clothing and stained glass,photography, folk art,oils.graphics,woven rugs Go shopping during your Cape Cod vacation and at one of the finest art and crafts shows on the cape and we.re afforable.Find a great buy to remember your trip.

Mashpee Wampanoag Annual Pow Wow
Aquinnah, Martha's Vineyard
July 3-5
Native American cultural event including drummers, dancing, crafts and food.

PARADES ON THE 4TH OF JULY

Falmouth Fourth of July Bike and Carriage Parade - Main St. Falmouth 11:00am

Chatham Fourth of July Parade - Main St. Chatham 9:30am

Orleans Fourth of July Parade - Eldredge Parkway to Main St. Orleans 10:00am

Hyannisport Fourth of July Parade - Post Office on Longwood Avenue 11:00am

Hyannis Fourth of July Parade - Old Colony Road 4:00pm

Provincetown Fourth of July Parade - Snail Road/6A Provincetown 11:00am

Sandwich Fourth of July Parade - Main St. Sandwich 10:00am

Edgartown Fourth of July Parade - Edgartown School Martha's Vineyard 5:00pm

Bourne Fourth of July Parade - Main Street, Buzzards Bay 10:00am

Barnstable Village Fourth of July Parade - County Complex on Railroad Avenue 9:30am

Nantucket events including face painting, blueberry pie eating contest, bicycle and tricycle decorating contest - Main Street Nantucket 10:00am

Osterville Fourth of July parade - Webster Street 11:00am

Cotuit Fourth of July parade - Post Office 11:00am

CAPE COD BASEBALL LEAGUE GAMES ON JULY 4TH

Harwich @ Brewster, 5:00pm

Wareham @ Bourne, 5:30pm

Cotuit @ Falmouth, 5:30pm

Yarmouth/Dennis @ Hyannis, 5:30pm

Orleans @ Chatham, 7:00pm

CAPE COD BASEBALL LEAGUE GAMES ON JULY 5TH

Falmouth @ Cotuit, 5:00pm

Bourne @ Wareham, 5:00pm

Hyannis @ Yarmouth/Dartmouth, 5:00pm

Brewster @ Harwich, 5:30pm

Chatham @ Orleans, 7:00pm

Click Here for a complete Cape Cod Baseball League 2009 Schedule.

Click Here for a complete list of Cape Cod events.

CENTRAL MASS

New England Summer Nationals
Worcester
July 2-5
Largest auto event on the East Coast; live entertainment, swap meet area, and flame-throwers; street rods, muscle cars, stock and modified vehicles.

Idependence Day Celebrations
Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge
July 4
Celebrate a fabulous Fourth of July the way 1830s New Englanders did in the 1830s, with marching, musket firing, games and gala celebrations, including a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Take part in the citizens parade and practice patriotism, early 19th-century style. In the evening (6-9:30 p.m.) come back for music, mirth, games and a fireworks display to cap the day's celebrations (separate fee).

50th Annual Fitchburg Longsjo Classic
July 2-5
Four day athletic cycling competition.

WESTERN MASS

Independence Day Festival
Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge
July 4
Kick off your July 4th celebration at Norman Rockwell Museum. Enjoy a game of catch with the Pittsfield Defenders and Troy, N.Y.-based ValleyCats; play fun, back-to-basics games with Jeanne Bassis; listen to the harmonizing sounds of the Berkshire Hillsmen; view an impressive collection of all-American classic cars from the Piston Poppers; and savor a classic Independence Day barbecue prepared by The Red Lion Inn. Families will also have the opportunity to create their own red, white, and blue Fourth of July art projects inspired by the work of Norman Rockwell. Location: Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Glendale Road /Route 183. Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: Free for adults, with museum admission; youth age 18 and younger, free.

July 4th Sidewalk Sale
Lee
July 4
Shop til you drop at this one day event.

Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Lenox
July 4
This is the Company's traditional community reading of the document that heralded the birth of democracy in the New World. With eloquence that Shakespeare might have envied, inspired by the philosophical thought springing directly from the intellectual ferment of the English Renaissance, the 18th century American colonist Thomas Jefferson penned a political statement as complex and controversial as history itself.

Star Spangled Springfield
Springfield
July 4
Program begins at 7:30p.m., on the steps of City Hall, Celebrating America. Fireworks will commence at 9:30 p.m. from the Memorial Bridge with musical simulcast on MIX 93.1 FM.

PARADES

Pittsfield: 10:00am

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