Krista’s Tour of Marblehead:  Uniquely Marblehead Events

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Marblehead Festival of the Arts

The arts are an integral part of the town culture. And you can see it all come alive and come together over Fourth of July weekend. Exhibits and entertainment fill Marblehead's historic streets.

The churches and public buildings become galleries for photographs, sculpture, paintings, arts and crafts, children's art, and so much more. Musicians, magicians, and entertainers perform all along Washington Street as part of the Street Festival. Concerts at Crocker Park magnificently blend music with the sights and sounds of the harbor. Volunteering as the co-chairman of the Youth Art for the Festival, I find the Festival an especially exciting and rewarding event.

 Fourth of July Harbor Illumination and Fireworks

With a tradition steeped in independence, Marblehead celebrates the Fourth of July with special spirit and vitality. It really is a big event in Marblehead. One of the most amazing things you will ever see is the Harbor Illumination. Imagine sitting on the beach or the rocky bluffs of our harbor filled with boats. As the sun sets, a cannon fires. Bright red flares placed every ten feet around the entire harbor are lit, in what I can only describe as a dazzling ruby necklace. It's extraordinary. And it heralds the spectacular fireworks.

The Fourth of July Horribles Parade

Definitely one of the best parades you will ever see! There's a legend behind this event. The town's children had such a long day waiting for the fireworks display that this parade was created to give them something to do to pass the time. The result is a unique parade involving hundreds of kids (and parents assisting) in costumes for categories ranging from current events, history, satire, political commentary, neighborhood issues and just the best of old fashioned fun. Every child who participates receives a shiny new half dollar, candy and ice cream.