4TH FIREWORKS, EDGE,
See sparkles for the Fourth
A year ago we wondered if we’d ever sit in a crowd and ooh and ahh at fireworks again.
But here we are, with many Fourth of July festivities available again around Massachusetts. Consider these:
Star Spangled Springfield
Run by community-based nonprofit the Spirit of Springfield, this July 4th celebration is beloved by many.
Set along the lovely Connecticut River, the festivities run from 6 to 10 p.m. and features live music, vendors, kids-of-all-ages fun like face painting and glitter tattoos, a flyover by the 104 Fighter Wing and, of course, fireworks.
While they did not know they’d be able to do this until things opened up again, the team is ready, said Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau Director of Marketing Michelle Goldberg.
“We are thrilled we can have our locals gather again and our visitors come as well,” she said. “The community just feels like we need to do this. It’s going to be a July Fourth to remember.”
Guests begin arriving early, setting up chairs and blankets along both sides of the river, a kind of community picnic feel. Parking is easy: Springfield has two underground parking garages just below Interstate 91 — an easy walk to the river.
There’s also free parking at MGM Grand Springfield, also a close walk.
Riverfront Park, on the Springfield side of the river, is where the vendors set up, offering food, crafts, balloons and more.
But both sides are perfect for watching fireworks,
since they are set off of the Memorial Bridge.
Local bands will play through the evening as well, including Spiral Magic and Maxx Tone.
And, of course, there’s nearby Six Flags (1623 Main St., Agawam) for more live music and fireworks.
You can learn more at www.spiritofspringfield.org/events/star-spangledspringfield.
Old Sturbridge Village
Why not celebrate this historic holiday by taking in some actual American history? Old Sturbridge Village is just the place.
It’ll start the historic celebration early — on July 2 — by hosting a citizen naturalization ceremony on its Village Common.
On July 4, it’ll reach back in history with a citizens parade, complete with cannon and musket demonstrations.
A bit of history — 46 militias were part of Massachusetts in the early 19th century, one of which was located in Sturbridge. This year, as they did back then, cannons will be fired off to celebrate the holiday.
Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, www.osv.org.
Cape Cod
From end to end, Cape towns are set to celebrate for the most part this year, with parades, fireworks and some cool additions.
The Carousel of Light, the lovingly hand-carved ride created in the 1990s by Falmouth artist Lance Shinkle, opens again in Falmouth on July 1.
Located at the town’s Mullen-Hall Elementary School, 130 Katharine Lee Bates Road, this twirling work of art features 20 wooden horses and two wheelchair-accessible chariots (including one called “Bubbles” that actually blows bubbles), all decked out in a nautical flair.
And on the night of the 4th, cut across the Cape to Hyannis to take in fireworks.
The best viewing spots are the beaches around Hyannis Harbor and on the West Yarmouth beaches along Lewis Bay.
Pack a picnic basket for dinner (or order ahead, getting some great take out from one of the countless Cape restaurants) and stake out your spot in late afternoon.
There are parades on the Cape too, in Barnstable, Chatham and Orleans. You can find a complete list here: www.capedays.com/4th-ofjuly-parades.html.
Plymouth
This year, Plymouth sets off its popular fireworks on the evening of July 5, a perfect reason to extend your celebrating.
Set off from barges in the harbor, they are viewable from any spot along the waterfront. Live music will fill the air as well as pre-fireworks along the harborside from 7 to 9 p.m. You can find more details here: https://july4plymouth.com.