Can it really be the weekend of the 4th of July? Where did the spring go? Where has the sun and warm weather been hiding?
Red, White and Blue: Volunteers carry a large American flag with Ollie deMacedo's group. Photo Courtesy of: Wes Ennis
I guess it’s been waiting for this weekend to appear because the forecast for the 4th is spectacular and people are ready for some partying. And what better place to be for the 4th of July than in Plymouth, America’s Hometown?
Plymouth has always celebrated Independence Day in a big way. It has been a tradition that has stayed the course over the years even during times when a lack of funds seemed to threaten to put the kibosh on it. Which is to say, that back in the 1980’s, it became fiscally impossible for the town to continue to take on the basic expenses for the celebration that includes a parade, a concert on the waterfront, and the magnificent fireworks over the harbor. Budget constraints left no monies to pay for the planned activities, never mind the police, fire, and clean-up that is a huge expense when planning a celebration of this magnitude in a town the size of Plymouth.
So rather than see the town go without its celebration, a small group of townsfolk got together and decided to try and raise the money to keep this annual tradition alive. They quickly formed a non-profit group called July 4 Plymouth Inc. and set a goal of being able to support the celebration of Independence Day each year. And for the past 30 years or so they have been successful. This year is no exception.
4th of July - Plymouth, MA - Fireworks. Photo Courtesy of: Wes Ennis
According to Ken Tavares, President of the group, this year’s celebration will be fantastic. “We are going to have our traditional 4th of July celebration this year,” he said. “We needed to raise $100,000 and we did. It’s a big undertaking to pay for all the services, the fireworks and the parade and the concert. But what is truly amazing is that we did it this year with less than 175 businesses, families and individuals donating. Due to their generosity, we reached our goal.”
Come check it out. There will be the parade in the morning with a theme this year of “It’s A Small World.” Trophies will be awarded in each of three categories: The Community Category, The Commercial Category and The Music Category. There will be trophies awarded for the best color guard in the parade, the entry that “best depicts the 2011 parade theme” and the President’s trophy, awarded by the July Fourth Committee that goes to “the individual or organization that best personifies the spirit of the day.”
This year’s parade will be filled with bands, floats, antique cars, motorcycles, and the traditional fire trucks from Plymouth and the surrounding towns that will lead the parade starting at Hedge Road in North Plymouth. (If you would like to drive your motorcycle or antique car in the parade, line up is at 8:30 at Bourne Street and Standish Avenue, behind the fire trucks. No entry application is required.). The parade starts at 9:30 and winds through North Plymouth to the center of town and around to the waterfront where the reviewing stand will be next to Plymouth Rock, across from the Governor Bradford Statue.
Tops hats: Members of the Old Colony Club, the oldest men's club in the country, tip their hats. Photo Courtesy of: Wes Ennis
You can spend the rest of the day strolling along the waterfront, window shopping, eating a great meal or grabbing an ice cream cone and relax as you wait for the concert and the fireworks to begin. It’s supposed to be a gorgeous day so take full advantage of it. Check out the Mayflower II, or take a leisurely walk along the jetty. And just think, once you’ve parked your car for the day, you’ll be all set for the concert and fireworks. Anyone who’s been to Plymouth on the 4th knows parking can be a challenge, so plan to park away from the downtown area, wear your comfortable shoes and enjoy the walk to the waterfront.
Somewhere around 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. it would be wise to find a place to settle in for the evening’s events. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and make yourself comfortable. Just remember this is a family celebration and no alcohol is allowed.
It starts with the concert on the waterfront. Once again the town’s band – The Legion Bud Band – will be serenading the crowd with patriotic favorites. The Massachusetts National Guard will have the howitzers set up along the water and when the band plays the Overture of 1812, these big guns will play their part in enhancing the music and creating an emotional tug at your heart for the privilege of living in this great country.
As the sun sets over the water and dusk begins to fall, you’ll start to feel the anticipation for the fireworks begin to build. According to Tavares, the show will start somewhere around 9:00.
“Depending on the night sky, we’ll be starting the fireworks between 9:00 and 9:20” he said. “They are shot off from a barge out at the breakneck in Plymouth Harbor. This year they will be provided by Atlas Pyrotechnics out of Jaffrey NH. They usually last around 25 minutes, depending on the weather conditions.”
When it’s all over, it’s going to take a while to negotiate the foot traffic and get back to your car. No need to stress. You will eventually make it out to the main road and while you’re walking you can re-live your favorite moments of the day. Happy 4th of July all!
It’s the 7th, and I’m sitting here in Indiana wishing I had been there in Plymouth!!! The small town I live in is in Jackson County, about half way between Louisville, Ky, and Indianapolis, In., doesn’t do any of the wonderful things described here. Sometimes I think the town must have been stuck in time- 1970 for ever! Then I remembered- Even in the 70′s there were parades, concerts, and great fireworks displays! What that means for the town leaders and citizens, I’m not sure. There is a definite tendency to resist change, and more than a little miserliness when it comes to spending money on anything that is not profitable or basic needs around here. Unfortunately, those same, “close minded, out of step,” attitudes seems to permeate the entire State of Indiana. Can you tell I’m not from Indiana? : ) I sure hope so! I moved here 5 years ago, because my best friend lives here. Her and I met 22 years ago in Germany. My ex and her husband were both stationed there with the US Army. I arrived from Southern California, just three days before she did. I am Godmother to all 4 of her children, the first of which was born about a year after our arrival. (OMG- the oldest is about to turn 21! Where has the years gone?) We have become closer than sisters over the years. In 2001 I left my husband- finally! He is a Bi-polar Alcoholic, and violent. I was raised in severe abuse, and neglect- I was ripe for the pickin’ when I met him. But by October of 2001 I had had enough! I took only what was mine- and ran for my life. After five years of trying to make it on my own, and failing, I moved here so as to have the emotional support I needed. My family were all gone. My Dad died of cancer in 1970. My Mom killed herself in 2001, months after my oldest sister died in a car crash because she was high on drugs, my youngest sister has been missing nearly 28 years- by her choice. Alone, trying to survive in a world I could not deal with- that was to much for me. I have grown a lot since moving here, I will say that. If solitude is what you need, this is the place. I am trying to build a life for myself- and my two dogs, but Indiana is not the place I want to spend the rest of my life! So, now that my head is on straight- trust me, the life I’ve had would cause anyones head to sit backwards on their shoulders-, I am looking for a place I can call Home. I love New England, especially Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, even though I have never been there. Well, not physically, anyway. Thanks to the internet, I have been able to get a rather clear Idea of what life is like there. I know that is where I belong! Getting there is not going to be easy though. The years of abuse has finally caught up with me. I am disabled, and presently living on disability. Which means there are very few in the US poorer than I am. But I am not going to just accept it, and lay down and die! That’s just not in my nature. this fall I will be a freshman at a local college. Yes- at the age of 51, I’ve decided to go to college! It can’t be worse than what I have lived through in my life, so, Hey- Why Not? With a degree I can take care of myself, which will be a major jump in quality of life, I can tell you! I am impatient though. My life is half gone- and I have never lived where I felt I was Home. I have never had a Home of my own, nor the kind of life I want to live. But I know I will get there. If anyone has a good Van they want to give away- I’ll take it! haha, Just a feeble joke, sorry. It’s just the enormity of what I face that gets me down at times. I need a Van so I can transport my power chair, so I can go to school, so I can get the job I want, and finally have a home of my own. Well, it will all happen. When It all comes together, don’t be surprised if you see me at a Forth of July Celebration- right there in Plymouth. It sounds like my kind of town! Thanks for the article, and thanks for listening. Ciao.