This is a contribution from a Swampscott High School student, as part of the Swampscott Tides Big Blue Student News selection. 

Story by Sasha Fafel

Swampscott is hosting its annual Fireworks Festival on Friday, July 3, at 22 Monument Ave. 

Each year, the fireworks are presented through a joint effort between Swampscott and Lynn. The display is launched from a shared barge positioned between the two communities, according to Recreation Department Head Charlotte Daher de Garcia.

“The fireworks are currently operated through a pyrotechnical company called ‘Pyrotechniques,’ that runs out of New Hampshire,” Daher de Garcia told the Swampscott Tides. 

The fireworks show, along with the town’s Independence Day festivities, has become one of Swampscott’s biggest annual celebrations. However, the history behind the tradition is not widely known.

Longtime Swampscott residents Bob Baker and Edye Baker told the Swampscott Tides that, in the late 1970s, the town had no Independence Day festivities at all.

“We had some challenges. The town did not have a lot of money; it was a tough time financially,” said Bob. “The town didn’t have a recreational director, no town administrator, and only three selectmen. The community was very small.”

According to the Bakers, Swampscott’s Fourth of July celebration had effectively disappeared until six local families came together to revive it: Howie and Sandy Rotner, Lois and Lee Hussey, Dick and Pat Maitland, Bob and Edye Baker, Gigi and Ellen Marino, and Pat and Tom Sullivan.

Their efforts included launching the Strawberry Festival, which featured strawberry shortcakes, a marching band, visiting bands, antique cars, and an Uncle Sam on stilts. The celebration also included a concert at Phillips Park and a fireworks display.

Edye Baker recalled how each family contributed.

“The Marinos, along with the Sullivans, went door to door in town to fundraise. My husband (Bob) was in charge of the parade, and Sandy Rotner gathered pans and supplies to make strawberry shortcakes,” Edye said. “Tom Sullivan was in charge of the fireworks.”

Fireworks were expensive at the time, Bob said, but that did not stop the group from putting on a large display.  

“They were launched from behind the fish house on the old barge,” Bob said. “The Fire Department kept the fire engine next to the fishhouse during the presentation. We had great cooperation from the town.”

There were even years – in the early 1980s – that the fireworks set off a bit too close to the Fish House. Bob said the fireworks debris was seen at many houses along Humphrey Street.

Eventually, the town’s Board of Selectmen and Recreation Department assumed responsibility for organizing the Independence Day celebrations.

Today, the Fourth of July is one of Swampscott’s most anticipated events of the year.

“We felt good about bringing the energy,” Bob said. “It is very gratifying to know that the people have carried your tradition. No one would expect for there not to be a celebration now.” 

Swampscott’s firework display this year is scheduled to start at dusk. 

The Swampscott Police Department has also issued a traffic advisory for the event.

According to a Facebook post, road closures will begin at 6 p.m. on July 3 and include all of Monument Avenue; Humphrey Street from Eastern Avenue at the Lynn line to Redington Street; and Shaw, Andrew, Thomas, and Hardy roads.

Parking restrictions will take effect at 2 p.m. on both sides of Monument Avenue; Burrill Street; Elmwood Road from Monument Avenue to Paradise Road; all of Redington, Sheridan, Thomas, and Banks roads; and portions of Walker and Farragut roads between Ellis and Walker roads. Vehicles parked in violation of the restrictions will be subject to towing.

The Police Department also reminded residents that fireworks may only be used by properly licensed professionals.

“Massachusetts law PROHIBITS the possession, use, or sale of fireworks without the proper license and certification” the department wrote on Facebook, noting that violations can result in fines ranging from $10 to $100.

Residents are encouraged to leave fireworks to the licensed professionals and enjoy the town’s public display.