Full 4th of July Schedule

The following press release is courtesy of the City of Salem.

Salem Celebrates the 4th

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll is pleased to announce that there will be a full afternoon and evening of exciting entertainment and events at Salem's 4th of July celebration at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Wharf.  This family event has proven to be one of Salem's signature events, drawing crowds numbering 40,000 to 50,000 people. 

This $60,000 Independence Day celebration is totally privately funded.  Salem's residential and business community has come together to ensure that this first-class event continues even in this difficult financial climate. 

Mayor Driscoll stated, "I am truly grateful that Salem's residents and business community continue to generously support this annual event.  I’d like to express a special thank you to , , , along with , , and .  Without their generosity, this event would not be possible."

The pre-concert festivities at Derby Wharf will begin at 4 p.m. with the opening of Kids' Space, where youngsters will be entertained with activities, games, contests and prizes and face painting all free of charge from 4 to 7 p.m. provided by , The Meeting House Church and .  will be on site during the afternoon distributing free product samples.  Food tents open at 4 p.m., with plenty of hot dogs, French fries, fried dough, kettle corn and much more.

Beginning at 5 p.m., appearing in front of main stage will be Undercover, a Salem based band that plays a wide variety of  top 40 dance music and hits from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.  Their high energy is contagious and a perfect way to start Salem’s July 4th celebration.

This year Mayor Driscoll is dedicating this event in memory of , the Salem soldier that was killed in Afghanistan this past December.  A tribute to this fallen hero who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country will take place during our opening ceremonies at 7:15 p.m. when Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, accompanied by the Salem Veterans Color Guard and Salem Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, will march down the wharf.  Salem will also have a flyover by the 104th Fighter Wing from the Barnes Air National Guard unit while the National Anthem is being sung by Trevor C. Sullivan, a recent high school graduate who has performed at Symphony Hall, Boston and sung the National Anthem at Fenway Park.

The crowd will then be entertained with a two-hour “Pops” concert performed by the 40-piece Hillyer Festival Orchestra (HFO).  The HFO has become a widely acclaimed Pops orchestra in the greater Boston area.  Dr. Dirk Hillyer, the orchestra's conductor, promises an exciting program this year with performances by Mike Girard and Rich Bartlett from the Fools, a legendary New England rock n' roll institution that came to birth in 1976. Since then, they've traveled the planet and over the years opened for countless mega acts such as The Doobie Brothers, The Ramones, and Van Halen.

Highlighting the stage during the second act will be Neil Chayet narrating the Lincoln Portrait.  Chayet is best known for Looking at the Law™, a daily radio feature nationally syndicated by CBS and heard locally on WBZ News Radio 1030 AM.  In addition, he has appeared on numerous television programs, including the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Montel Williams Show, the Dick Cavett Show, House Party, Nightline, and WBZ-TV News.  Chayet has previously performed the Lincoln Narration with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, and has entertained and informed many audiences with his speech, “A Conversation with President Lincoln.” 

During intermission we have a special treat.  Members of the Marblehead Little Theater will perform highlights from its recently concluded, fun rock musical Hairspray,  directed by Steve Black and Tom Edmonds, with his deep baritone voice, will give the audience a taste of its new show, Richard Rodgers:The Sound of His Music  which opens at the end of July. 

At 9:15 p.m, to end our Independence Day celebration and begin the spectacular fireworks display, the Hillyer Festival Orchestra will play the 1812 Overture and continue playing live patriotic music throughout the entire fireworks display that is shot right above our heads from Derby Wharf.

Part of the allure of this celebration is its setting.  The first National Historic Site in the National Park System, consists of nine acres of waterfront land and houses a dozen historic structures, including, the Custom House, where famed author Nathaniel Hawthorne worked; and, Derby Wharf, which was used by America's first millionaire Elias Hasket Derby, who made his fortune from this port of call.  Looking out at historic Salem harbor with hundreds of boats moored and the replica of a 1700s sailing vessel, the Friendship, serving as a backdrop, Independence Day is truly felt as you are surrounded by the history that helped us to become an independent nation.

Come Hear the Reading of the Declaration of Independence on Historic

For those of you that are early risers, or visitors that would like to spend the day in historic Salem, Massachusetts, join Mayor Kimberley Driscoll on Salem Common at 9 a.m. for the reading of the Declaration of Independence.   Dressed in period garb, Andrew Winson with his articulate and powerful voice will recite the words of this historic document.  The program also includes the crowd being led in the singing of the National Anthem by Salem High School's award-winning a cappella group Witch Pitch, America the Beautiful being sung by Maureen Dalton and musical selections by Robert Kendall.

July 4th is the perfect day to spend in historic Salem.  Start off bright and early at Salem Common for the reading of the Declaration of Independence, spend the rest of the morning and afternoon visiting our historic sites and attractions, dine at one of our many restaurants and then wander down to Derby Wharf for a spectacular concert and fireworks extravaganza.

For more information check www.salem.com or call Salem at 978-745-9595, ext. 5676.

 For information regarding our mobility impaired/wheelchair seating section, please call 978-745-9595, ext. 5676.