Peabody Ward-By-Ward 4th Of July Festivities

PEABODY, MA — Peabody ward City Councilors will once again host ward-by-ward Fourth of July events this year, with various free programs taking place in the morning at parks throughout the city.

The Ward 1 event occurs at Raddin Park between 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a patriotic parade starting at 9:45 a.m. All the other festivities kick off at 10 a.m. at Raddin Park. There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, snacks, and ice cream from Treadwell's for everyone. Contests will include: Most Patriotic Parade Participant, Soccer Skills Challenge hosted by the Northfields United Soccer Club, Potato Sack Race, Hula Hoop, Basketball free throw, Pie Eating, and a 50-Yard Dash. There will be prizes for contest winners and limited edition "We're #1" shirts for everyone.

The Ward 2 Fourth of July Celebration is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon at the Welch School (50 Swampscott Ave.) and adjacent to O’Connor Park. The day will begin with the singing of the national anthem and a Patriotic Parade at 9:15 a.m. (registration at 9 a.m.) at the front of the school. Bring your decorated bike, tricycle, scooter, wagon, or carriage. Field games (sack races, running races, egg toss, etc.), pony rides, balloon artist, face painting, and a photo booth will take place beginning at 9:45 a.m. Kids can explore a firetruck, see a police vehicle, play at the playground and cool down in a misting tent throughout the morning. The event will include music. There will be a free raffle and prizes will be given out for the various events. Lunch, soft drinks, refreshments, cookies, and ice cream will be served free of charge beginning at 11:15 a.m.

The Ward 3 Fourth of July celebration will take place at Connolly Park from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The day will start with a patriotic children’s parade at 9:30. Decorate your bike, stroller, scooter, or wagon to participate. There will be races, games, and crafts. The day will end with the traditional egg toss. Hot dogs, cotton candy, ice cream and more.

The 4th of July Celebration in Ward 4 will be at Emerson Park at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome. The morning will begin with a Pledge of Allegiance &National Anthem followed by a Patriotic Children’s Parade, DJ, races and games, arts and crafts, face painting, bounce house, egg toss, hot dogs, hamburgers and Treadwell’s Ice Cream, as well as a few other surprises.

The Ward 5 Fourth of July activities will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Lt. Ross Park. Bicycle, tricycle, and carriage parade will start at the Kiley Brothers Memorial school at 9 a.m. Please decorate for a patriotic theme. The parade will be escorted to Lt. Ross Park by a police vehicle. After the parade, there will be races, money in the hay, a bouncy house, and an egg toss. At 11 a.m., a light lunch and beverages will be served. There will be raffles and gifts for all the kids that come to the party.

The Ward 6 Annual Independence Day Picnic will take place at Symphony Park (off Catherine Drive) from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will begin with a Patriotic Parade of carriages, wagons, tricycles, and bicycles looping around the park. Decorate your entry with a patriotic theme. Registration for the parade will start at 8:30 a.m. Following the parade there will be music, field games (sack races & 50-yard dash), a free-throw shooting contest, and coins in the hay. The playground will be open and there will be a moon bounce and cornhole boards. Rainforest Reptile Shows will be at Symphony Park from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a collection of interesting animals. Lunch will be served starting at approximately 11:30 a.m. with grilled hot dogs, burgers, potato chips, and drinks. The event will end with the traditional egg toss competition.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)