Fourth of July Events on the SouthCoast 2018
A list of events for the whole family to enjoy Independence Day - the whole weekend!
Tell us about any happenings that aren't mentioned and we will add them!
- 1
Fairhaven
The Fourth of July Car Cruise and Parade will take place on Wednesday, July 4 at 9 am.
Classic and antique cars and vehicles gather at Fairhaven High School for the raising of the Big Flag at 8:30 am. They will then depart to cruise through town at 9 am, ending with a ride south on Green Street to Fort Phoenix. At Cushman Park, a parade of floats and marchers will step off to follow the car cruise to the fort for the annual Independence Day Ceremony. Free.
The Fort Phoenix Independence Day Ceremony and Cannon Salute will take place on Wednesday, July 4 at 10 am.
The ceremony will feature a brief history of Fort Phoenix presented by Tourism Director Chris Richard. There will then be a reading of the Declaration of Independence by Daniel Freitas, chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Next, Emma Lazarus’s poem “The New Colossus” will be read by Jordan Richard, FHS Class of 2018. As the flag is raised, the National Anthem will be sung by FHS Class of 2018 graduate Julie Dextraze. Following the flag raising, the fort’s five 24-pound Seacoast Defense cannons will be fired over the harbor by the Fairhaven Village Militia. Free.
- 2
Fall River
“Watch the City of Fall River’s magnificent display of fireworks from the decks of the battleship USS Massachusetts on Wednesday, July 4th. There is no better seat on the waterfront. Gates open at 7:30 pm. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 pm. Tickets are $10.00 per person, and are available at the Museum’s Gift Shop or online at www.battleshipcove.org. Battleship Cove is open daily 9 am to 5 pm. Tickets are limited, so get yours now!
Please be advised there are no bags, weapons of any kind, or coolers allowed. All guests will need to go through a security checkpoint prior to entry. There is NO SMOKING anywhere on the property.
The fireworks are put on by the City of Fall River, and the museum is not responsible for delays or cancellations.
Refreshments will be available for sale at the Battleship Snack Shack.
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND VETERANS!”
- 3
Freetown
The fireworks festival will be held at Hathaway Park, Water Street, Assonet (near the former The Assonet Inn) beginning at 6 pm on Tuesday, July 3. Fireworks will go off at approximately 9:30.
"The parade is the next morning, July 4th. Lineup begins at 9:00 a.m., parade begins at 10:00 a.m. The parade lines up at the KRR baseball fields in Narrows Road and follows Narrows Road to South Main Street to Water Street and ends at Hathaway Park."
- 4
Marion
The Parade will kick off on Wednesday, July 4 at 9 am. at the corner of Spring and Main Streets.
*UPDATE: The town is not holding fireworks this year. Apologies for the misunderstanding when this blog was originally posted.
- 5
Middleborough
The 89th North Middleborough Fourth of July Parade Kicks off promptly at 10 am from the Pratt Free School, Plymouth/Pleasant Streets. Travels down Plymouth St, and back up again, ending at Pratt Free for prizes. All are welcome! Parking is limited so plan to arrive early! Parade is funded solely on donations from spectators so give generously!
Each summer the Middleborough Park Department hosts the Annual Carnival at Peirce Playground featuring games, rides, and fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July!
Tuesday, July 3rd 6-10 pm
Wednesday, July 4th 2-6 & 6-10 pm - Double Wristbands
Thursday, July 5th 6-10 pm Wristbands
Friday, July 6th 6-11 PM FIREWORKS!!!
Saturday, July 7th 6-10 pm WristbandsOn Tuesday, July 4th, we will be opening early for families! Daytime wristbands will be sold from 2pm-6pm, and separate Night time wristbands will be sold from 6-10 pm!
- 6
New Bedford
Meet Frederick Douglass and other people who lived in New Bedford during the 1800s on July 4 from 10 am to 2 pm. At noon, Frederick Douglass will give a speech in which he discusses slavery, independence, justice, and what it means to be an American. Hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud. In addition, you will be able to meet Douglass, the 1850s Ladies, Civil War soldiers, local leaders, and park rangers. Custom House Square - Barkers Ln, New Bedford
Celebrate Independence Day with a spectacular fireworks display over New Bedford Harbor! Presented by Mayor Jon Mitchell and the City of New Bedford the Fireworks Spectacular will take place overlooking State Pier on Wednsday, July 4th at 9:00PM.
The fireworks will be staged from a barge off State Pier in New Bedford Harbor. Spectators who wish to view the fireworks overlooking State Pier are advised to park for free in the Elm Street and Zeiterion garages downtown and view from lower Union Street and Front Street. Lower Union Street (east of Water Street) will be closed to vehicle traffic and offers ideal fireworks viewing. Please note that State Pier will NOT be accessible and there will be NO PARKING on the evening of July 4th.
- 7
Onset / Wareham
The Blessing of the Fleet will kick off at 10:30 am. The vessel parade will start at 11 am. Fireworks begin approximately at 9 pm. Rain date is Sunday, July 8.
Spectators can view the parade of boats from the Onset Pier while taking in all the festivities. All mariners are encouraged to decorate their vessel. Let’s see your creativity! Patriotic, pirates, dance party!!! Yes, we have great prizes for best dressed vessel and crew. After the Blessing, children of all ages are invited to participate in some fun activities to celebrate Independence Day! As in the past, there will be a Pet Parade, A Doll Carriage Parade and a Bicycle Parade.
The 2018 Onset-Wareham Fireworks display will be held on Saturday, July 7th, 2018 at approximately 9:00 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, July 8th, 2018.
FREE PARKING at Hynes and Lopes Fields off of Onset Ave
Onset Pier parking will be stricly handicapped after 5:00 p.m.
Street closures begin at 6:00 p.m. to local traffic. Roads closed at 7:00 p.m.
Keep your eyes open for our "donation stations" located near Hynes Field, Dummy Bridge and Stonebridge. Our fundraising merchandise booth will be at the corner of Onset and Union Aves. We would like to keep this tradition alive and we need your help to make this happen. If you enjoy the show, please donate when you can.
There will be trash barrels around and a dumpster on the Pier. Please use them! Volunteers will also have trash bags available for you to use. You may either "pack it out" or find a dumpster. Any help we can get with trash pick up is greatly appreciated, especially off the beach!
Please respect each other, whether you live here or are just visiting. We love our little Village, and hope you will, too!
- 8
Westport
“The 4th of July Parade will be Wednesday July 4th at 10 am. Starts at the corner of Main road and Hix Bridge road and proceeds North and ends at Westport High school around noon. Main Road will be closed to all Traffic at 9:15 am depending on traffic. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY IF YOU WANT TO WATCH PARADE OR DROPPING ANYONE OFF. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY.”