New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The 4th day of July is one of the most celebrated holidays in America. It’s the day America officially declared its independence from Great Britain, but did you know that July 2nd was the official legal separation of America from Great Britain? It’s the day when the Continental Congress approved the resolution of independence. After a few days of debate, it wasn’t until July 4th that the official Declaration of Independence was approved and signed. One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and second President of the United States, John Adams thought that July 2nd was more significant that the 4th. Writing to his wife, he stated:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.
I’m sure most of you don’t need an excuse to celebrate a holiday to the maximum, but now you have a valid argument and an excuse to celebrate our Independence most of the week. Here are 14 events you should consider attending this week. Check out the New Bedford Guide Event calendar for 100s of more upcoming events.
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012
4 p.m.
The City Hall will celebrate 100 years with a Centennial Celebration at 4 p.m. Join Mayor Jon Mitchell and hundreds of city workers as they commemorate 100 years of the classical revival building housing the seat of City government. Full details and city hall history here.
6:30 p.m.
Sunset Yoga is held at Fort Taber each Tuesday and is a great way to start off the 4th of July vacation week. Sunset Yoga is an hour-long Vinyasa-style Yoga session starting at 6:30 p.m each Tuesday. Yoga practitioners are asked to bring a towel or mat, and water. There is a fee of $5 per drop-in. Full details with pictures here.
Wednesday, July 4th, 2012
10:15 a.m
The Fort Phoenix Independence Day Ceremony and Cannon Salute kicks off at 10:15 a.m in Fairhaven. There will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence, musical performances and the singing of the National Anthem by the Showstoppers followed by the firing of the fort’s five 24-pound Seacoast Defense cannons.
1 p.m, 6:30 p.m.
The Whaling Museum is hosting a 4th of July Concert in the Museum Plaza. There will be music by the Mac Odom Band featuring The East Side Horns. Celebrate the 4th with the best in Rhythm & Blues and Funk. There will also be FREE family activities and crafts will be available on the Museum’s Plaza from 1:00pm – 6:00pm.
9:05 p.m.
New Bedford’s July 4th fireworks display will start at 9:05 p.m. from a barge located in New Bedford Harbor just off of City Pier #3. The public will have a clear view of the fireworks presentation from almost every point around New Bedford Harbor. Full details here.
Thursday, July 5th, 2012
8 a.m.
The Moving Wall, Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be on display at Cushman Park on Green Street in Fairhaven from 8 – 11 a.m. It will remain on display through July 8th. “The Moving Wall” is the half-size replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for more than twenty years. The idea is to help bring healing to veterans and families and friends of those who died or are missing in Vietnam, especially those who may not have the opportunity to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.
10 a.m.
The Henry Huttleston Rogers Tour starts at the Fairhaven Visitors Center on 43 Center Street. The tour outlines the life of Fairhaven’s benefactor, Standard Oil Company millionaire Henry Huttleston Rogers (1840-1909) and his generosity to his home town. The tour includes visits inside two of the Rogers buildings—the Town Hall and the Millicent Library—as well as exterior viewing of Rogers’ boyhood home, the Unitarian Memorial Church, Our Lady’s Haven, Rogers School and the Masonic Building.
11 a.m.
The New Bedford Whaling Historic Park will launch the NB Line Park Shuttle service at 11 a.m. The official launch will occur at the Visitor’s Center on 31 William Street downtown. The NB Line is a new shuttle service that provides transportation around downtown New Bedford, to Buttonwood Park and Fort Taber. The service costs $1 for unlimted daily travel and is free for children under 12-years old or students with a student ID. Several businesses are providing discounts and free services for anyone with a NB Line wristband. Full details with schedules and discounts here.
Friday, July 6th, 2012
6:30 p.m.
The Greater New Bedford Summer Festival kicks off with a special show on Friday, July 6th at 6:30 p.m. with Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. Tickets are $15 for the Friday event. Full details with musician list here.
Saturday, July 7th, 2012
8 a.m.
The Buzzards Bay Swim is the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s longest-running fundraising event. Each year swimmers participate in a 1.2 mile open-water swim across outer New Bedford Harbor. The funds they raise to support their swim, along with the public awareness generated from the event, make for a great day for Buzzards Bay. While it’s too late to register, the swim is a great event to see.
9 a.m.
The Clasky Common Farmers Market kicks off for the season at 9 a.m. and remains open until 1 p.m. The market will run every Saturday until October 27th. Check out our New Bedford Farmers Markets article or South Coast Massachusetts Farmers Markets article for other farmers markets in the area.
11 a.m.
The main Greater New Bedford Summer Festival event with 70 renowned and emerging performers and 90 juried arts and crafts vendors in New Bedford’s authentic historic district runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Full details with musician list here.
Sunday, July 8th, 2012
11 a.m.
The main Greater New Bedford Summer Festival event with 70 renowned and emerging performers and 90 juried arts and crafts vendors in New Bedford’s authentic historic district runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Full details with musician list here.
1 p.m.
The Fairhaven Farmers Market offers fresh locally grown produce each Sunday from 1-4 p.m. There is access the parking lot off Main Street to the rear of the Academy Building. Handicap parking available and admission is free. Check out our New Bedford Farmers Markets article or South Coast Massachusetts Farmers Markets article for other farmers markets in the area.
Have a great, safe 4th of July week! Check out our event calendar daily and make sure you are a fan of our New Bedford Guide Facebook page!
