Celebrate Independence Day weekend with parades on land and sea

Jun 28, 2022

Residents will have their choice of several celebrations across land and sea to celebrate the Fourth of July this holiday weekend.

First up this weekend is the Onset Blessing of the Fleet, where boats will course through Onset Bay Saturday morning at 10 a.m.. The Onset Bay Association is hosting the boat parade, which will be held on the following day, July 3, if it rains.

A kid parade will follow the fleet blessing, and kids, parents and other paradegoers are encouraged to dress up for the day.

The Onset Bay Association will hand out prizes for categories like “best decorated” and “best dressed” after the parades. A bonfire is scheduled to begin at dusk on Shell Point Beach.

Boats can be registered ahead of time by emailing onsetvillage@gmail.com your name, boat name, boat type and phone number or on the day of the event starting at 10 a.m.

On Independence Day, kids will have the chance to cruise through the Swifts Beach neighborhood for their own Fourth of July Parade. The Swifts Beach Improvement Association will host its annual parade at 10 a.m. starting at the clubhouse, 38 Pleasant St. The organization encourages everyone who comes to dress up for the occasion, with prizes available for best dressed attendees.

While the parade kicks off in Swifts Beach, the Wareham Historical Society will be hosting its 44th annual Antique Fair from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. downtown at the Village Green on Main Street.

A $4 admission includes a tour of the Fearing Tavern Museum. Antique appraisals will also be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with one item appraised for $5 or three for $10.

The annual Independence Day fireworks show in Onset was canceled earlier this year after the town because of summer staffing difficulties with the Wareham Police Department.

Fireworks are instead planned as part of the Harvest Moon Festival in late September.