Two-for-one in our blog this week: our 4th of July Planning Guide and “Day Out With Thomas” preview!

Edaville Railroad kicked off its 2009 season last weekend featuring “Day Out With Thomas” in addition to the usual attractions. Thomas will offer up train rides on three more weekends this summer and is a must-visit for fans of the show, books, and movies.

Our sister website in Chicago reviewed this event last year and said “If your kid wants to be a useful engine, Day Out with Thomas is a quick burst of excitement” and “It was really exciting for him to see the engine in person.”

Tickets for Thomas are $18.00 for anyone two and older. This price includes admission to Edaville and all rides and attractions, as well as the 25-minute ride on Thomas the Tank Engine, meeting Sir Topham Hatt, and other entertainment involving Thomas. Thomas will be at Edaville June 26-June 29, August 29-30, and September 4-7.

We’ll be heading to Edaville later this summer, so look for our complete review of that and Thomas then.

Your Massachusetts 4th of July Planning Guide

With all of this rain, it’s hard to believe that the 4th of July is quickly approaching next weekend! We want you to be prepared and have a great time wherever you may be, so we have compiled this guide with all the various events happening around Massachusetts. In alphabetical order…

City/Town: Acton
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4, at 6 p.m. (rain date: July 5)
Fireworks Time: around 10 p.m.
Details: Enjoy live music, face painting, and food vendors at NARA Park, located off Route 27. Shuttle buses will run from Nagog Park starting at 6 p.m.
Website

City/Town: Amherst
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4 at 5 p.m. (rain date: July 5)
Fireworks Time: 9:30 p.m.
Details: The UMASS fields behind Alumni Football Stadium set the scene for the celebration. Activities include live music, a children’s carnival, a juggler, a clown, face painting, field races… the list goes on and on.
Website

City/Town: Assonet
Date & Time: Friday, July 3 from 6-10 p.m.; parade on July 4
Fireworks Time: not mentioned
Details: Hathaway Park is the host of games, booths, and concessions, ending with the fireworks display over the Assonet River.

City/Town: Ayer
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4
Fireworks Time: dusk
Details: Stop by Pirone Park for a parade, food concessions, crafts, and children’s activities, followed by fireworks.

City/Town: Boston
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4 from 8:30 pm until 11:00 pm
Fireworks Time: 10:30 pm
Details: This may be better to Tivo for the kids to watch the next day, but if you kids are a little older and you are willing to brave the 500,000 other Bostonians, check out the web site for parking and other FAQs. The TV broadcast starts at 8:00 pm on WBZ-TV, so check that out if you didn’t make it to any other shows.
Website

City/Town: Bourne
Date & Time: Sunday, July 5
Fireworks Time: Dusk
Details: On Main Street, Buzzards Bay

City/Town: Bridgewater
Date & Time: Thursday, June 25 & Friday, June 26 from 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, June 27 from 12-6 p.m.
Details: Three Day Carnival at Bridgewater Middle School, 166 Mt. Prospect St.

City/Town: Chicopee
Date & Time: Thursday, July 2 through Saturday July 4
Fireworks Time: Saturday, July 4 at 9:30 pm (rain date: Sunday, July 5)
Details: Szot Park (700 Front Street, Chicopee, MA) has tons of activities spread across three days this year. Starting on Thursday there will be softball games and several inflatable activities and train rides. On Friday there is a kids 3-on-3 soccer tournament, a Junior Karakoe Idol contest, and astronomy sessions. Saturday is the big event with fireworks at 9:30.
Website

City/Town: Clinton
Date & Time: Saturday, June 27 (rain date: June 28)
Details: Fireworks at Clinton Middle and High School, located on Route 110. Sponsored by the Clinton firefighters.
Website

City/Town: Dracut
Date & Time: Friday, July 3 at 7 p.m.
Fireworks Time: not mentioned
Details: Concert and fireworks at Dracut Junior High School

City/Town: Edgartown
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4, at 5 p.m. (rain date: July 5)
Fireworks Time: 9 p.m.
Details: The 4th of July parade starts and ends at Edgartown School, then go to Memorial Wharf for the fireworks.
Website

City/Town: Fitchburg
Date & Time: Friday, July 3 from 5-11 p.m.
Fireworks Time: dusk
Details: Downtown Fitchburg is the scene for the Civic Days 2009. The fun starts this weekend with a multitude of events; check out the Doll Carriage and Bicycle Parade at the Riverfront Park on Boulder Drive on Sunday at 11 a.m. The Block Party is on Friday on Main Street, including live entertainment, classic cars, food, and other vendors. Look for more events on July 4.
Website

City/Town: Gloucester
Date & Time: Friday, July 3 at 6 p.m.
Fireworks Time: 9 p.m.
Details: Gloucester Horribles Parade starts at 6 p.m. featuring bands, floats, and costume competitions, followed by fireworks over the harbor. Look at the website for more events on July 4.
Website

City/Town: Hampton Beach
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4
Fireworks Time: 9:30 p.m.
Details: Hampton Beach hosts fireworks 15 times throughout the summer, though usually on Wednesdays.
Website

City/Town: Harvard
Date & Time: Friday, July 3 starting at 11:00 am (rain date: Sunday, July 5)
Fireworks Time: Dusk
Details: At Fruitlands Museum this start up at 11:00 am where you can tour the galleries, check out the art, listen to music or enjoy food and drink in the restaurant tent. Get a seat on the lawn for the fireworks at dusk.
Website

City/Town: Hingham
Date & Time: Fireworks are on Friday, July 3 and Parade is on Saturday, July 4 at 10:00 am. A road race and breakfast are before the parade.
Fireworks Time: 9:00 pm
Website

City/Town: Hyannis
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4 at 4 p.m.
Fireworks Time: 8 p.m.
Details: Check out Aselton Park for a parade followed by a concert, then fireworks at Lewis Bay.
Website

City/Town: Marblehead
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4 at 8:45 p.m.
Fireworks Time: 9 p.m.
Details: The Harbor Illumination begins at 8:45 p.m., followed by the fireworks. Email your pictures of the event to them and they will be posted on the website.
Website

City/Town: Milford
Date & Time: Friday, July 3 (rain date: July 5)
Fireworks Time: not mentioned
Details: The Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra is unable to perform at this year’s festivities, but the fireworks will go on as planned at Plains Park, Route 85, Cedar St.

City/Town: Natick
Date & Time: Wednesday, July 1 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Fireworks Time: No fireworks this year due to construction on the Natick Mall
Details: Featuring a kids parade at 6:00 pm and other family fun Natick Friends of the Fourth of July host this event.
Website

City/Town: Orleans
Date & Time: Friday, July 3 (rain date: July 5)
Fireworks Time: Dusk
Details: Rock Harbor

City/Town: Pepperell
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks Time: Dusk
Details: Music, games, concessions, and fun start at 6:00pm. Fireworks start at dark.
Website

City/Town: Salem
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4 at 4 p.m.
Fireworks Time: around 9:15 p.m.
Details: Festivities begin with Kids’ Space, which has a DJ entertaining the young ones with dancing, contests, and prizes. The fun continues all afternoon for the kids with face painting, games, and crafts. At 7:15 p.m. is the opening ceremonies, which includes an Air Force flyover, a Hillyer Festival Orchestra concert, and a performance of Footloose by the Salem State College Summer Theatre cast, concluding with the fireworks set off from Derby Wharf.
Website

City/Town: Salisbury Beach
Date & Time: Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5
Fireworks Time: Saturday, July 4 at 10 p.m.
Details: Family events run all weekend! Sand Sculpting from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, including tips and tricks on sand castle building at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Bruce Marshall Group performs a concert starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday and is followed by the fireworks over the beach, which are set off from a barge in the ocean.
Website

City/Town: Sharon
Date & Time: July 4 at 4 p.m.
Fireworks Time: 9:15 p.m.
Details: Check out Memorial Park Beach for classic field games, such as tug-o-war and potato sack races. Beech Tree Park is the start of the Bicycle & Doll Carriage Parade and travels to the bandstand, where you’ll find music for your enjoyment. The concert starts at 6:30 and runs until the fireworks over Lak Massapoag.

City/Town: Springfield
Date & Time: Saturday, July 4 at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks Time: not mentioned
Details: Mix 93.1 will provide the musical entertainment while the fireworks are going off from the Memorial Bridge. Live entertainment and food as well.
Website

City/Town: Upton
Date & Time: Saturday, June 27 (rain date: Sunday, June 28)
Fireworks Time: 9:45 pm
Details: Tons of different events throughout the day including an auto show, skateboard expo, motorcycle show, tractor race, dance show, a magic show, kiddie train, rock climbing wall, and various food vendors on hand. This one looks great! It’s at the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical (BVT) High School located at 65 Pleasant St. Upton, MA
Website

City/Town: Westfield
Date & Time: Friday, July 3 at 5:30 p.m. (rain date: July 5)
Fireworks Time: 9:15 p.m.
Details: Concerts begin at 5:30 at Stanley Park, including the Young Singers of Westfield, The Soul Sensations, and Brass Attack, concluding with the fireworks. Don’t forget to look for the strawberry shortcake.
Website

City/Town: Worcester
Date & Time: Thursday, July 2 – concert starts at 8 p.m. (rain date: July 3)
Fireworks Time: 8:30 p.m.
Details: Join the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra for a concert at Cristoforo Columbo Park (East Park) on Shrewsbury Street. Concessions and 4th of July toys and gadgets are for sale.
Website

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 4:32 am and is filed under Events, Places to Go, Sites. If you use RSS, you can subscribe to the RSS feed , or if you would rather receive an e-mail, please subscribe to the e-mail in the lower right hand corner of this page. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.