MARION — Celebrations for Independence Day took place on Friday, July 5 at Silvershell Beach complete with vendors, live music, and a fireworks display over the water.

The Marion Concert Band began their performance with the National Anthem at around 8 p.m. Under the leadership of band director Toby Monte, the group of about 40 musicians also played “American Pageant” and the hymns for each branch of the military. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of D Day, the band played a medley of popular music from the 1940s, as well as “Hymn for the Fallen” from the movie “Saving Private Ryan.”

The band continued playing as spectators took to the beach and fireworks burst in the night sky around 9 p.m. Lifeguards were on duty during the display to monitor the crowd and ensure safety.

Vendors and food trucks began setting up on the lawn near the bathhouse around 1 p.m., with many of them staying for the remainder of the event.

Tammy LaPierre, owner of Local T, sold tri-town themed apparel at the event. T shirts come in both red and blue and feature the town’s logo on the front, and coordinates on the back. Shirts for Marion feature a sailboat, while Mattapoisett shirts have seahorses, and Rochester shirts have roosters.

Aleah Ramos performed henna art for interested patrons. After seeing advertisements and taking interest, Jody Nye had a design symbolic of mother-daughter relationships painted on her forearm. Ramos freehands all of her designs and is available for birthdays, graduations, and other social events. 

As skies grew darker, representatives from the Old Rochester Regional High School AmbassadOR program sold glow sticks, sunglasses, star wands, necklaces, and bracelets. Funds raised at the event will go towards scholarships and helping those in need in the community.

Food was provided by Ahhh Roma, Flour Girls, Robert Wing Catering, Cape Cod Kettle Corn, Plymouth Party, Nicolena’s Cheesecake Truck and More, and Fieldstone Farm.