On July 4, the Tri-Town and its many residents celebrated the United States’ 250th birthday. Though we were coming off the back end of an extreme heat advisory, no events had to be canceled, and celebrations were held across the towns; and the nation.
In Marion, Piney Point Beach had fireworks on July 2 and the town itself the following night off Silvershell Beach. That same day, the town Department of Public Works worked hard to decorate the town, notably by lining the parade route flags: American flags, colonial era flags, and America 250 flags. That brings us to July 4, where Marion held its annual Independence Day Parade.
In Mattapoisett, the Community Picnic was held at Ned’s Point on July 3 followed by a concert that night. The next morning began with a bang, with over 1300 athletes arriving to compete in the Mattapoisett Road Race. The afternoon saw historic bus tours around town led by the Mattapoisett Historical Museum and line dancing at Town Wharf that night.
Rochester held their own Town Picnic on the morning of July 4. The Congressional Church rang its historic bell for the area to hear as festivities moved into the afternoon, seeing the Patriotic Children’s Parade beginning at Town Center.
Across the Tri-Town, many different semiquincentennial events were held. Though Marion was the only town that held its own fireworks display, I did hear fireworks go off from the other towns; surely from residents with permits, right? Happy birthday America! If you’re about 80 years old, you’ve been here for one-third of it!
By Sam Bishop