Fireworks are scheduled for Thursday, July 4 at approximately 9:15 p.m.
The Harbor Illumination will begin at 9 p.m. Views of the fireworks can be seen from Riverhead Beach, Fort Sewall, Fort Beach, Crocker Park, and Chandler Hovey Park.
Riverhead Beach
The beach is located at the far end of the harbor. People will be able to see both sides of the Harbor Illumination from this location. This location also has parking. The event’s website states that the Devereux Beach parking lot is directly across the street, and the beach is also an easy walk from other central parking locations in town. For all other locations below, it might be very difficult to find a legal parking spot.
Fort Sewall
The website states that this location “will be one of the very best locations to see the fireworks and illumination of the harbor.”
The website states that this location is “sure to become very crowded and it is suggested that you plan to arrive as early as possible to get a good spot.”
According to the website, there are a couple of benches that people can sit on to view the fireworks, but the rocks surrounding the perimeter are jagged and rough, so please be very careful if you decide to venture closer to the water’s edge.
There is limited parking at Fort Sewall, but its proximity to downtown makes it an ideal walking destination.
“Please keep in mind that Marblehead’s finest will tow you in a heartbeat if you are not in a legal parking spot!” the website reads.
Fort Beach (Flat Rock Beach to locals)
Another great location to see the fireworks and illumination of the harbor. However, due to it being such a great vantage point, it will become very crowded. It is suggested that you plan to arrive as early as possible to get a good spot. However, Fort Beach doesn’t have any benches or provide any handicapped access, so please plan accordingly. Bring a flashlight so you don’t lose your footing after dark and have shoes that are appropriate for a rocky shoreline. Keep an eye on the tide!
Crocker Park
A popular favorite in the past, Crocker Park offers splendid panoramas of the entire harbor, the website reads.
Crocker Park is where Marblehead “counts down the fireworks”. There are plenty of benches, grassy areas, and of course, rocks. This is the location of the Performing Arts Stage for the Marblehead Festival of Arts, where a band will play until the start of the illumination and then continue after the display is over.
Chandler Hovey Park
The website states this location will become very crowded and it is suggested that people should plan to arrive as early as possible to get a good spot.
There are many benches that face both the harbor and outside the harbor where the barge will be. The rocks surrounding the perimeter are also jagged and rough, so exercise caution if you decide to venture closer to the water’s edge.
There will be no parking in the lot at Chandler Hovey Park beginning at about 6 p.m. Vehicles parked within the parking lot shall be removed at that time. Parking will be allowed on all public ways between Ocean and Harbor (at Causeway) and the far end of Ocean and Harbor avenues.
The Fireworks Committee is an all-volunteer organization, and the fireworks display is 100% privately funded via donations.
The sun will set on July 4 at approximately 8:25 p.m.
The Harbor Illumination is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. when flares are lit all around the perimeter of the harbor, creating a ring of light that sets the stage for the main event, according to a press release.
At 9:15 p.m., the fireworks will be launched off a barge at the mouth of Marblehead Harbor, creating viewing opportunities for the public.
The press release advised that boaters should consider the rising tide when anchoring for the fireworks. High tide on July 4 is at 10:53 a.m. and low tide is at 4:39 p.m.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Marblehead Harbormaster have established a safety perimeter around the fireworks barge, so caution should be taken when entering or leaving Marblehead Harbor during the holiday. The release advised attendees to avoid the safety zone that will be marked by four orange marker buoys and patrolled by a volunteer civilian barge patrol flying orange privileged vessel flags.
If the fireworks must be canceled due to severe weather conditions, an announcement will be posted on the website marbleheadfire.works. The rain date is planned for July 5. For more information on traffic updates and public-safety issues, follow the Marblehead Police Department on Twitter @Mheadpolice or Facebook. Follow the Marblehead Fireworks on Twitter @MHDFireworks or on Facebook for updates throughout the day on July 4.
A special notice to operators of recreational or commercial “drones” (sUAS) is now also available at https://marbleheadfire.works/drones
For more information, check out https://marbleheadfire.works/where-to-view.
