Fireworks, parades, parties: Celebrate 4th of July, summer in Taunton, around SouthCoast
Fourth of July will be here before you know it.
As America celebrates its Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, with cookouts, beach days, and, of course, fireworks, there are going to be plentiful celebrations around the SouthCoast.
Communities from around the SouthCoast are offering a plethora of events and activities, for however you and your family and friends would like to celebrate Independence Day.
There will be parades and fireworks, as well as some other ways to mark the Fourth of July, like road races, a carnival, and even a car race and a horse show.
Get into the spirit of the holiday by checking out these local events:
Taunton’s Annual Summer Celebration
When: Thursday, Aug. 22
Where: Hopewell Park
Taunton celebrates the summer a little later, giving us all something to look forward to after the celebrations for 4th of July are over. The Summer Celebration will be on Aug. 22 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Hopewell Park, and there will be fireworks and fun for the whole family. The rain date for this event is Thursday, Aug. 29.
Whittenton Block Party
When: Sunday, Aug. 4
Where: Bay Street
Have a little summer fun at the Whittenton Block Party, from 2 to 8 p.m. on Bay Street. There will be live music, a beer garden, vendors, a bouncy house, an obstacle course, raffle, trolley ride, scavenger hunt, face painting, and more. There will also be a hot dog eating contest, and the chance to dunk a public official.
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Freetown Fireworks Festival and 4th of July Parade
When: Wednesday, July 3 (fireworks) and Thursday, July 4 (parade)
Where: Hathaway Park (fireworks) and Ridge Hill Road (parade)
Freetown’s Fireworks Festival and 4th of July Parade begins on Wednesday night at 6 p.m., with fun and food, followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Ridge Hill Road, follows South Main to Water Street, and finishes at Hathaway Park.
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Middleboro 4th of July Carnival
When: July 3 to July 7
Where: 26 Jackson St., Middleboro
At Middleboro’s 4th of July Carnival, you can get booklets of ride tickets, and even a wristband for unlimited rides. For $30, you can get a booklet of 30 ride tickets (presale through July 3 at 6 p.m.). For $50, you can get a booklet of 50 ride tickets (presale through July 3 at 6 p.m.) There’s also a presale for the wristband: for $30, you can get an unlimited ride wristband (presale through July 4 at 2 p.m.). Wristbands will only be valid: Thursday, from 2 to 6, or 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, from 2 to 6, or 6 to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Fall River’s Waterfront 4th of July Celebration
When: Thursday, July 4
Where: Fall River waterfront
Fall River’s Waterfront 4th of July Celebration is packed with family fun, all along the waterfront, from 5 to 9 p.m.
DJ Eric J. will be at Heritage State Park, along with food trucks like Frisky Fries, Blount, Big Dog Eats, Black Dog Donuts, Supa Dupa, No Joke Smoke BBQ, Del’s Lemonade, and Cool Licks Ice Cream.
At the Sen. Thomas Norton City Pier, see Emily Nawrocki and Get Lucky, find air brush tattoos, and visit food trucks like Green Jar Cocina, Bun Buds, Pop’s Brick Oven Pizza, What’s Up Cupcake, Ice ‘N’ Roll, and Berry Sweets. Also check out Troy City Brewery and Party with Primo. Live entertainment begins at 6:15 p.m. at the pier.
The Nightlife Orchestra will be at Veterans Memorial Bicentennial Park, along with food trucks from Dorothy Cox, Kona Ice, Gnarly Vine Farms, and BBQ Y Mas. Live entertainment at Bicentennial Park will begin at 7 p.m.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blanket to sit on.
Admission is free, and the fireworks begin at 9 p.m.
Tickets are available to view the fireworks from the deck of the USS Massachusetts. Gates open at 7:30, and the last admission will be at 8:45 p.m. Tickets are $15, and children under 2 get in for free. For more information, and for tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/49yjyfd7.
Billington Family Memorial Fourth of July 5K, Somerset
When: Thursday, July 4
Where: Pierce Beach, South Street
Check-in and post-registration for the Billington Family Memorial Fourth of July 5K begins at 7 a.m. The 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. Registration and the race start at Pierce Beach, and the run follows the Taunton River along Riverside Avenue. It’s mostly flat, with two small hills. There is a $30 online entry fee (by June 24) and a $35 entry fee from June 25 to the day of the race. There will be mile markers and water stations, plus post-race refreshments and awards. All racers will receive a T-shirt. There will be trophies for the overall male and female winners, and divisional medals for each age group. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/48me8spk.
Westport Fourth of July Parade
When: Thursday, July 4
Where: Starts at Central Village
Westport’s Fourth of July Parade steps off at 10 a.m. at Central Village, and ends at the old high school. Line-up and sign-ups start at 8, and roads will close at 9 a.m. Antique cars will line up at Beach Grove Cemetery, and floats, tractors and others will line up on Main Road near Perry’s Bakery. There will be ribbons for winners of antique cars, tractors, and floats.
Whaling City Festival, New Bedford
When: July 11 to 14
Where: Buttonwood Park
The Whaling City Festival at Buttonwood Park will include live pro wrestling, a Sunday car show, arts and craft vendors, retail vendors, food, and a Fiesta Shows carnival. For the latest updates, keep up with the Whaling City Festival on Facebook.
New Bedford Fireworks
When: Thursday, July 4
Where: New Bedford Harbor
The City of New Bedford’s 4th of July fireworks display will be staged from a bar located off the State Pier in New Bedford Harbor at 9 p.m. Lower Union Street between North Water and Route 18 will be closed to vehicle traffic. Parking will be available in the Elm Street and Zeiterion garages. There will also be street parking. State Pier will be closed for safety reasons.
Cape Verdean Recognition Parade and Kultura Festa, New Bedford
When: Saturday, July 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (parade) and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Kultura Festa)
Where: Buttonwood Park (Kultura Festa at Serenity Gardens Field, between South Sixth Street and Pleasant Street)
This will be the 52nd Cape Verdean Recognition Parade celebrates the rich culture of the Cape Verdean community. The parade steps off from Buttonwood Park, and the route is Union Street, Acushnet Avenue, Grinnell Street, and Purchase Street, ending at the Cape Verdean Veterans’ Memorial Hall. The 2024 Grand Marshal is Viola Pina. For more information, contact Chairperson Diane Gomes at 508-944-7625 or [email protected].
Kultura Festa 2024 will follow the parade. Hosted by the Cape Verdean Recognition Committee, this event will feature live bands, guest DJs, vendors, and more.
![Jayda Picard and "DMW Rockets Red Glare" are happy with their award after competing in the Novice Rider Equitation during the 71st annual Fourth of July Horse Show held at Washburn Park in Marion.
[DAVID W. OLIVEIRA/STANDARD-TIMES SPECIAL/SCMG]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OUe5oYUZboWEwJi9KvXAzQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTYyMQ--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/taunton-daily-gazette/e6d039bb1142c61282895dd4a30f3d53)
Marion Horse Show
When: Sunday, July 7, at 8 a.m.
Where: 1 Washburn Park Rd.
The 77th Marion Horse Show is an open breed horse show, serving as a fundraiser for local youth groups. This year, pack a picnic basket, or enjoy some of the offerings there.
Marion Independence Day Parade
When: Thursday, July 4
Where: Marion Town House
The Marion Independence Day Parade will begin at 9 a.m. It will assemble beginning at 8 a.m. in the ball field behind the Marion Town House and adjacent to the Sippican School. Trophies will be award for first, second and third place in each category, and there is also a Best in Parade award.
Marion Fireworks
When: Saturday, July 6
Where: Silvershell Beach
With fundraising complete, the Marion Fireworks are officially on for July 6.
Fairhaven Fourth of July Parade and Car Cruise
When: Thursday, July 4
Where: Fairhaven High School to Fort Phoenix
Assembly for the Fairhaven Fourth of July Parade and Car Cruise begins at 8 a.m. Cars will assemble at Fairhaven High School, and marchers will assemble at Cushman Park. There will be a flag raising at Fairhaven High School at 8:30, and the car cruise begins at 8:45 a.m. The car cruise will proceed toward Cushman Park. Stepping off at 9 a.m., the parade begins at Cushman Park and will proceed toward Fort Phoenix. There will be a ceremony and cannons at Fort Phoenix at 10 a.m.
Mattapoisett Road Race
When: Thursday, July 4
Where: Stay tuned for details about this year’s Mattapoisett Road Race.
Independence Day Thrill Show at Seekonk Speedway
When: Saturday, July 6
Where: Seekonk Speedway
The Independence Day Thrill Show will have drag races, figure-eight races, backwards races, trailer races, and more. The Independence Day show also includes a fireworks display. For tickets and more information, visit https://seekonkspeedway.showare.com/default.asp.
Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at [email protected]. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: 4th of July 2024 in Taunton and the SouthCoast
