Red, white and blue colored the shoreline of Onset Bay Saturday, July 1 as boats decked out for the Fourth of July paraded through its cool waters.

In celebration of America’s independence, the Onset Bay Association held its annual “Blessing of the Fleet.” 

According to Kat Jones, executive director of the association, Father Marek of St. Margaret’s and St. Mary’s churches sprinkled holy water on the parade participants as they passed the dock.

Bob Hayes announced each of the boats as they passed by.

Jones said she would also like to acknowledge the help the association received from the Wareham Department of Natural Resources, the public safety officers and the event’s volunteers.

She added the associate has “the best volunteers in the business.”

Jones said the parade initially had 28 boats lined up, but others saw what was happening and joined it. Therefore, she said the parade ended up with approximately 35 boats.

Each boat was decorated from bow to stern with American flags, signs and even some furry friends.

Jones said the prize for best dress boat went to Randy whose boat was named “Stars and Stripes Forever.” He was awarded with a bag of Onset “swag.”

Sharon Robinson, Laura Akerblom and Patty Semple-McElroy came to the parade together to kick off the start of their Fourth of July celebrations.

The three women are all from Onset and graduated high school together in 1974.

Though it was Akerblom and Semple-McElroy’s first time attending the boat parade, Robinson said she has been coming for “at least eight years.”

She said she enjoys seeing all the decorations on the boats.

Akerblom said she just loves how the holiday brings everyone together and what it stands for.

“It's just a beautiful day — a little breeze — and we're still going to celebrate,” she added.

William Oldfield Jr. said he and his wife have lived in the area for over 30 years and have attended the boat parade on multiple occasions.

“I think we're lucky to have it here,” Oldfield said.

He added he enjoys seeing the kids and the boats, but “I really miss the fireworks.”

However, he said Onset is a great place to live where “everyone gets along and it's always beautiful.”

Katelyn Haldiman and her two daughters, Paityn, 6, and Piper, 4, attended the parade for the third time this year.

Haldiman said they are from Plainville, but come to Onset to visit family for the Fourth — a time they all cherish together.

Lisa Nelson, a resident of Onset for the past three years, said, “I just love watching the boats all decked out like that. It’s great fun, especially for the kids. They have a good time.”

She added, “I think the town does a great job.”

Nelson said her favorite parts of celebrating Independence Day are family, eating, drinking, fireworks and beach bonfires.

In addition to the Blessing of the Fleet, a small bicycle, dog carriage and pet parade took place. The best dressed bike won a bag of beach toys and other “fun goodies,” according to Jones.

Bala Ajtum-Roberts, 9, her sister, Victoria, 5, and their cousin, Harper Bowles, 5, were a part of the parade.

The two sisters rode on bikes while Harper opted for a scooter — all of which were fully decorated in red, white and blue.

Bala said, “The parade was pretty fun. I think everybody should have got a prize because everyone worked their hardest.”

Victoria said her favorite part was being able to ride her bike.

Therese Ajtum-Roberts, the mother of the two girls, said her family comes down to Onset every Fourth of July to visit her brother and the kids enjoying seeing all 10 of their cousins.

She said this is their sixth or seventh year attending the parade and the girls always enjoy decorating their bikes.

Ajtum-Roberts joked, “Victoria has been packing since April to come down to Uncle Nicky’s house to do the parade at the beach.”