New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Stare directly at the weather tile. It’s an absolutely beautiful thing; we may have the perfect weekend ahead in terms of weather. Not only does that translate into being able to enjoy all the goings-on across the South Coast, but it means no rain date for fireworks! Organizers of festivals and attendees alike will be pleased that the festivals will go off without a hitch. Nights will be in the cool upper 50s and we’ll reach a high of 81 degrees on Sunday. Rejoice! Happy Independence Day!
As always, click on the title for more or detailed information on the event. Most of the events were pulled from our event calendar where you can find hundreds of local area events each month. The event calendar is FREE, so if you are a local business, and not taking advantage of FREE publicity, shame on you! Are you a local business and want to sponsor this high traffic, weekend guide? Contact info@newbedfordguide.com for more details. Have an event to add? Check out our tutorial. For more info, you can click on each title. Know of another event this weekend? Post a reply!
Friday, July 3rd
Parreeee! Exhibition at UMass (9:00am-6:00pm)
UMass Dartmouth University Art Gallery in Downtown New Bedford presents an exhibition “Parreeee!” inspired by our perceptions of French culture. Jurors: Jean-Francois Allaux, Associate Professor, UMass Dartmouth; Viera Levitt, Gallery Director, UMass Dartmouth; and Robert P. Stack, co-owner and curator, Yellow Peril Gallery, Providence, RI. The gallery has a wall available for postings of materials measuring up to 8.5×11 inches. This is open to anyone who would like to contribute a work of art, a poem, and/or a letter or postcard sent from a real or imagined trip to Paris.
20th Annual Freedom Festival (5:30pm-9:30pm)
An alcohol-free, family-oriented event featuring great music and fireworks, will be held on the athletic fields at the UMass Dartmouth Tripp Athletic Center. Admission is free. The rain date is July 5. The fireworks will take place at 9:15 p.m.
Fireworks at Hawthorn Country Club Clubhouse (9:15pm)
Looking for a great spot to view the fireworks tonight? The Clubhouse Restaurant at Hawthorne Country Club (970 Tucker Road) will be open tonight at 6pm. Fireworks start at 9:15pm.
Saturday, July 4th
1st Annual Buttonwood Park Zoo 1.5K Walkathon (8:00am-1:00am)
Start the day in a healthy way! Join us for our 1st Annual Buttonwood Park Zoo Fundraising Walkathon and enjoy a walk through the zoo before your regular Fourth of July activities begin. The walk is aimed for children ages 2-10 and it will run from 8:30am to 10:00am, with check-in starting at 8:00am. 
Fourth of July Car Cruise (Fairhaven) (8:30am)
Classic and antique cars and vehicles will gather at Fairhaven High School for the raising of the “Big Flag,” then will cruise through town with at stop at Fort Phoenix for the annual Independence Day Ceremony (See next listing). Sponsored by the North Fairhaven Improvement Association with the Prowlers and the Downshifters car clubs. Free. For more information call John Medeiros at 508-990-0000. Starts at Fairhaven High School, 12 Huttleston Ave., Fairhaven.
Silverbrook ACUSHNET Country Store (9:00am-4:00pm)
The Silverbrook Country Store is the home of The Pereira Bread Co. (a tasty little division of Silverbrook Farm) where they make their Famous Pies and Breads, as well as jams, sauces and other great food products. It is also the home of their Farm Stand that is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday. Silverbrook Country Store also has a wonderful and unique line of crafts including their popular candle/potpourri items and a great selection of handmade Amish items that truly make great gifts for any occasion. Best of all they have Emack and Bolio’s ice cream!
Dollar-a-Bag book Sale (Fairhaven) (9:00am-1:00pm)
We welcome you to come and fill a bag of good reads for only a dollar! The Oxford Book Haven & Cafe is located downstairs in the Church of the Good Shepherd, 357 Main St., Fairhaven. There is a large selection to choose from. Home-made dessert, coffee, and other beverages available. 1 Temple Place, Fairhaven.
Red, White & Blue Days at Edaville USA(Carver) (10:00am-6:00pm)
Make a full weekend out of July 4th and visit Edaville USA, where Traditional American Fun can always be had. All of our amusement park rides will be running and there are sure to be some additional surprises throughout the park. It is also Military Appreciation Weekend. Military members are FREE w/ valid ID and family members are half off!
Fort Phoenix Independence Day Ceremony (10:00am)
A program at the historical, Revolutionary War era fort will feature a brief history of Fort Phoenix, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, musical performances by The Showstoppers, and the singing of the National Anthem followed by the firing of the fort’s five 24-pound Seacoast Defense cannons. Sponsored by the Town of Fairhaven and the Fairhaven Village Militia. Free. Handicap parking available. For more information, call 508-979-4085 or email FairhavenTours@aol.com.
20th Annual New Bedford Folk Festival (11:00am-9:00pm)
The New Bedford Folk Festival will celebrate its milestone 20th Anniversary from Saturday July 4 through Sunday July 5, 2015 with an impressive lineup of the best in contemporary, Americana, traditional, blues and Celtic folk music. Folk icon Tom Rush and Grammy Award winner John Hammond, are joined by over 50 performers and groups including Susan Werner, Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, The Nields, Peter Mulvey, Vance Gilbert, The Boxcar Lilies, the Welsh group Calan, folk and jazz fiddler Jeremy Kittel and many more. The festival runs from 11 am to 9 pm both days and is located in the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center and the Whaling National Historical Park in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Read more: newbedfordguide.com/20th-anniversary-folk-festival/2015/04/21.
Family Day Celebration (Little Compton, RI) (12:00pm-4:00pm)
The Little Compton Historical Society will be hosting a free family day, full of food and games as well as a good dose of history. The entire event is free, though donations are appreciated and gift shop items can be purchased. There will be such fun events as a skillet throw, watermelon seed spitting and a pie eating competition. 548 West Main Road (Route 77), Little Compton, RI. Phone:(401) 635-4035.
Old Stone Schoolhouse (Fairhaven) (12:30pm-4:00am)
Built in the Oxford Village neighborhood of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, in 1828, the Old Stone Schoolhouse was the town’s first school built under the district school system. In the 1840s, young Manjiro Nakahama was a student here. Restored in the early 1970s, the schoolhouse is open to the public on Saturdays in June, July and August to teach about New England school days of long ago. Children may try writing with an old fashioned pen dipped in ink or try playing with period toys. The school is also available for class field trips by appointment. 40 North St. Fairhaven MA.
New Bedford Independence Day Fireworks (9:00pm)
The New Bedford Independence Day celebration and firework display will be on Saturday, July 4th at 9pm. The fireworks will be staged from a barge off State Pier in New Bedford Harbor. Full details with parking recommendations here.
Sunday, July 5th
34th Annual FREE Jazz Service (11:00am)
Summer at the First UU in New Bedford is jump started every year by our annual Jazz Service. This year’s performers include Armisted Christian on flute and vocals, John Harrison on piano, Dino Govoni on tenor sax, Marcus Monteiro on alto sax, Chris Poudrier on drums, Chris Rathbun on bass, Dori Rubbicco on vocals, and Danny Schwartz on percussion. Join us after for refreshments! 71 8th St, New Bedford. Phone: (508) 994-9686
Silverbrook ACUSHNET Country Store (9:00am-4:00pm)
The Silverbrook Country Store is the home of The Pereira Bread Co. (a tasty little division of Silverbrook Farm) where they make their Famous Pies and Breads, as well as jams, sauces and other great food products. It is also the home of their Farm Stand that is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday. Silverbrook Country Store also has a wonderful and unique line of crafts including their popular candle/potpourri items and a great selection of handmade Amish items that truly make great gifts for any occasion. Best of all they have Emack and Bolio’s ice cream!
Red, White & Blue Days at Edaville USA(Carver) (10:00am-6:00pm)
Make a full weekend out of July 4th and visit Edaville USA, where Traditional American Fun can always be had. All of our amusement park rides will be running and there are sure to be some additional surprises throughout the park. It is also Military Appreciation Weekend. Military members are FREE w/ valid ID and family members are half off!
FREE Historic Walking Tours (10:30am)
Free tours last approximated 45 minutes and step off from the National Park Visitor Center at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM. The tours take visitors through the cobblestoned streets of the park and waterfront, while exploring the many stories associated with the New Bedford’s maritime past and present. Tour topics include: Risks and Rewards of Whaling, Unknown Heroes and Their Secrets: New Bedford’s Underground Railroad, Herman Melville’s New Bedford. Sturdy walking shoes recommended. Call the visitor center for more details.
43rd Annual Cape Verdean Recognition Parade (12:00pm)
The 43rd Annual Cape Verdean Recognition Parade steps off from Buttonwood Park. Parade route is Union Street, Acushnet Avenue, Grinnell Street, Purchase Street and ending at the Cape Verdean Veteran’s Memorial Hall. Parade Grand Marshal is Everisto “Victor” Fonseca.
20th Annual New Bedford Folk Festival (11:00am-9:00pm)
The New Bedford Folk Festival will celebrate its milestone 20th Anniversary from Saturday July 4 through Sunday July 5, 2015 with an impressive lineup of the best in contemporary, Americana, traditional, blues and Celtic folk music. Folk icon Tom Rush and Grammy Award winner John Hammond, are joined by over 50 performers and groups including Susan Werner, Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, The Nields, Peter Mulvey, Vance Gilbert, The Boxcar Lilies, the Welsh group Calan, folk and jazz fiddler Jeremy Kittel and many more. The festival runs from 11 am to 9 pm both days and is located in the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center and the Whaling National Historical Park in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Read more: newbedfordguide.com/20th-anniversary-folk-festival/2015/04/21.
