Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with 4th of July events all weekend

The week of July 4 is packed with events and celebrations dedicated to honoring the 250th anniversary of America. The towns of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester will host a variety of events. 

On Friday, July 3 fireworks and beach celebrations kick off across Marion and Mattapoisett. 

Mattapoisett will host a community picnic at Ned’s Point on Friday, July 3 at 4:30 p.m. Families should bring their own picnic suppers. There will be games, activities and musical entertainment. 

The Town of Marion is celebrating with a fireworks show at Silvershell Beach at dusk on Friday, July 3.

The Marion Concert Band will be hosting an Independence Day themed concert on July 3 at 8 p.m. The concert, under the direction of Tobias Monte, will be held at Silvershell Beach and the evening will conclude with the town's fireworks display.

Town officials are urging residents to celebrate safely and follow traffic and parking guidelines for the celebration. The Marion Police Department also asks visitors to obey the following parking guidelines:

For those located west of Front Street, guests parking on side streets are asked to park facing Converse Road or Pleasant Street. For those located east of Front Street, guests parking on side streets are asked to park facing Water Street.

The exception is for vehicles on Vine Street, which are asked to face west toward Front Street. No parking will be allowed on the south side of Lewis Street between Front Street and Converse Road. 

On the 4th of July, join multiple towns for parades and ringing of the bells at noon to celebrate independence. 

Marion’s Independence Day Parade rolls out on Saturday, July 4 at 9 a.m. Participants should be at the field behind the Town House beginning at 8 a.m., where organizers will be on site to check people in. 

At noon, Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester will participate in the national ringing of the bells to celebrate the 4th of July. 

Mattapoisett invites residents to ring their own bells at that time. 

Marion will host a handbell choir in front of the First Congregational Church and invites residents to bring their own bells to the gathering. 

The Rochester Historical Society will gather at the East Rochester Congregational Church located at 355 County Road to ring the 154-year-old bell as part of the Freedom Bells organization. Anyone arriving at 11:30 a.m. will have a chance at ringing the bell. The group is encouraging people to bring any bells they have to ring along. 

Mattapoisett will be hosting tours of the original downtown beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. Bus tours will leave from Center School and the Mattapoisett Historical Museum will guide the 30 to 40-minute long tour. 

Mattapoisett will also host the annual 4th of July road race for runners of all ages at 9 a.m. at Shipyard Park. 

The annual Marion Horse Show will be on Sunday, July 5 at 8 a.m. at Charles R. Washburn Park. This is the 79th annual horse show started by Charles Washburn to raise funds for the park. There will be multiple horse events and awards given out.