Another year is in the books for the United States of America.

Community-wide celebrations are in store across Wareham, including events on the Fourth of July and celebrations on Saturday, July 6. Organizations including the Historic Society, Onset Bay Association, and Swifts Beach Improvement Organization.

Kick off the holiday by attending the 43rd Fourth of July Antique and Craft Faire hosted by the Wareham Historical Society on July 4.  The event runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission costs $4 for adults, and is free for children. 

Antique vendors will be in the Congregational Church Hall located on 11 Gibbs Ave. There, guests can also enjoy a lunch menu in an air-conditioned eating area. 

The Fearing Tavern (located diagonally across from the Tremont Nail Co. on Elm Street) will be open for guided tours. 

The Wareham Minutemen and Militia will muster at noon on the Wareham Town Green. 

In the Meeting House, Frank McNameem of the Marion Antique Shop will be hosting Antiques Road Show-style appraisals. Antique enthusiasts who want to know the true value of their treasures can have them appraised for $5 for one item or $10 for three, with all the proceeds going to support the Historical Society.

The Swifts Beach Improvement Association will be hosting its annual parade on July 4 at 10 a.m. The parade of kids, families, and pets will start at the community building, 38 Pleasant St., and loop around the neighborhood.

To unwind after a long work week, go to the Cranberry Coast Concert, which will start at 7:15 p.m. on Friday night, July 5. The band will be performing at Eastern Bank located on 226 Main St. 

Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the concert. Tickets cost $25 for the general public and $20 for students and seniors. Children ages 5 to 17 are admitted free with paid adult admission.

Just because the national holiday lasts only one day doesn’t mean Wareham residents can’t celebrate it twice. 

On July 6, Children of all ages are invited to participate in some fun activities to celebrate Independence Day at the Onset Pier at 10 a.m.  The Onset Bay Association will be hosting a Pet Parade, a Doll Carriage Parade, and a Bicycle Parade. Sign-up sheets will be made available that morning on the pier. Awards will be given for the best presentation. For more information, contact the OBA at onsetvillage@yahoo.com or call 508-295-7072.

Head to Onset Beach for the 6th Annual Blessing of the Fleet at 10.30 a.m. Participating boaters will parade their vessel on a route that will form between the islands near red nun buoy 14, then proceed to the Onset Pier where the vessel will be blessed by a local priest. All mariners are encouraged to decorate their vessel.

To participate in the Blessing of the Fleet, please send an email to OnsetBOTF@gmail.com or message the official Onset Bay Blessing of the Fleet Facebook page.

Get to Onset early to watch the Wareham-Onset Fireworks on the Onset Beach at 9 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, July 7th, 2019. Guests will also be able to get supper from food trucks and buy souvenirs at the Onset Bandshell. For vending opportunities, please reach out to onsetvillage@gmail.com.

Free parking will be available at Hynes and Lopes Fields off of Onset Avenue. Onset Pier parking will be strictly handicapped after 5 p.m. Street closures begin at 6 p.m. to local traffic. Roads closed at 7:00 p.m.

Onset Bay Association is still looking for volunteers for this event. Please contact us at onsetvillage@yahoo.com for more information.