Independence Day Celebration
This Wednesday, Nantucket Island will celebrate Independence Day with all the enthusiasm, fun, and festivity that the town can muster. Main Street will be closed to traffic from early in the morning so preparations can begin. There are dozens of watermelons to cut, tables to set up, a duck tank to fill, judges to organize...a mammoth effort undertaken by the tireless staff of Nantucket’s Park and Recreation Commission and a small army of island volunteers.
The island’s downtown celebration centers on traditional festivities that begin at 9 a.m. at the Nantucket Unitarian Universalist Church, 11 Orange Street. The free program, entitled “Ring in Freedom” includes organ music, a community sing-a-long, a raffle (tickets go on sale at a table on Main Street July 3). There will be a public reading of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, and children will be invited to sign a replica of the Declaration. Immediately following the reading, in front of the church, home-baked cookies and cupcakes will be for sale to the accompaniment of patriotic songs performed on a genuine 1880s hand-cranked street organ.
After the reading, names of the raffle winners will be drawn. The grand prize winner of the raffle will be allowed to "ring in freedom" in the company of Rev. Emeritus Ted Anderson by sounding the historic Portuguese bell in the tower of the Unitarian Church (which is normally closed to the public). All proceeds from the raffle and bake sale will go to the maintenance of the historic South Church building and benefit the educational, social, and spiritual programs of the Unitarian Universalist Church on Nantucket.
Beginning at 10 am, Main Street will be home to many free activities for adults and children. There will be a dunk tank, watermelon eating and pie eating contests for contestants of all ages, face painting, and puppet shows. You’d better have your bike, tricycle , or carriage decorated by 11 am or you’ll miss the children’s parade. A highlight of the day is the waterfight at high noon between the Nantucket Fire Department and H. Flint Ranney’s opposing team and their historic pumper. Take note: if you on either side of Main Street during this popular event, you will get wet!
You have just a few hours to dry off, have a bite to eat, pack a picnic, grab a blanket, and head over to Children’s Beach around 5 pm. There children of all ages can enjoy foot races, sac races, 3-legged races, barrel races, and tug-o-war. After these activities, there is still time stake out a prime spot at Jetties Beach to watch the fireworks at dusk (9 p.m.).
Although centered downtown, the July 4th festivities are not confined to Main Street. At 8 a.m. on July 4, the 11th Annual Firecracker 5k Run/Walk will commence. Starting line is at the Nantucket Health Club, and pre-registration is recommended. Call 508-228-0750 for details. Pirate Adventures will be held on The Endeavor at 9:45 am and at 10:30 a.m.—call 508-228-5585 for reservations. The Maria Mitchell Association is offering an Astronomy Open Night at Loines Observatory on Milk Street Ext. at 9 p.m. (weather permitting).
Nantucket Visitor Services is proud again to be the sponsor of this year’s July Fourth fireworks. The fireworks will be shot from a barge anchored off Jetties Beach. Beginning at 6 p.m. on July 4, the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority’s Jetties Beach Bus will take passengers to the beach every 15 minutes from Broad Street in front of the Whaling Museum. Bus fare each way is $1 per person.
Any decision to postpone the fireworks will be made public by 6 pm on July 4. Information will be available by calling Nantucket Visitor Services at 508-228-0925. If weather does interfere, the fireworks will be held the next evening Thursday, July 5, at 9:00 pm.
