What would the Fourth of July be without a weekend full of festivities to celebrate the occasion? This year, community organizations have planned number of events both established and new to commemorate American independence.

Kicking off the weekend will be the 38th Annual Wareham Historical Society Antiques Faire. This event will feature crafters and historical tours in addition to antiques vendors. The $3 admission entitles attendees to browse both the craft fair and antiques fair as well as tour both the Fearing Tavern Museum and the Kendrick Maritime Museum. For an additional cost of $5 for one item and $10 for three items, Francis McNamee of Marion Antiques will appraise antiques for fair attendees.

"The historical society is very fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers to help with this event," said Wareham Historical Society Chairwoman Angela Dunham. "We hope everyone will come out and support us."

The Faire will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Town Green, rain or shine.

Continuing the festivities down on Swifts Beach will be the annual Swifts Beach Fourth of July Parade. The parade will start at the Swifts Beach Association Club at 38 Pleasant Street. Organizers encourage all participating kids and families to decorate their bikes, wagons, and selves in creative ways in order to win prizes, which will be given out by age range.

The following day marks the return of an old tradition to Wareham and Onset.

“Every culture has some kind of celebration when their ships go out to sea or their soldiers go to war to recognize the fragility of life, to wish for a productive voyage, et cetera. It has its historical and cultural roots,” said Wareham resident Bob White of the revived Blessing of the Fleet ceremony, which will commence at 10 a.m. on July 5th.

The event will include entertainment from the Falmouth Fiddlers and local Wareham vocal talent Kathy Andrews, followed by the blessing and the boat parade, which starts at 11:30. The parade will be themed "Red, White, and Blue," and participating vessels and crews will have the opportunity to compete for first, second, and third place prizes based on their decorations and outfits. White hopes the event will become an annual tradition again.

"It’s been a long time, but it's something that we’re considering doing every year,” he said.

And finally, the all-important fireworks will return to Onset.

Following the Blessing of the Fleet and the boat parade, the annual Onset Bay Fireworks Display will commence in the skies over Onset Bay. As has always been true in recent years, the display will be handled by Atlas Pyrovision of Jaffrey, New Hampshire.

"Atlas has always put on an excellent display, and we know they're going to do a great job this year," said Mary Lou Payton, the fireworks fundraising committee co-chair.

The committee had been having trouble raising the funds this year, but Payton says that they are now confident the goal will be reached.

"We still have a few checks straggling in, but we're very confident that we'll have enough," said Payton.