King’s Beach || Monica Sager 
Construction at Vinnin Square || Monica Sager 
Vinnin Square area temporarily flooded Tuesday || Monica Sager 
Construction at Vinnin Square || Monica Sager 
Decked out for the 250th anniversary of the country || Monica Sager 
Dressed in red, white and blue || Monica Sager 
Monument Avenue || Monica Sager Swampscott Performing Center for the Arts setting up shop || Monica Sager Save the Glover had a boat || Cam Tracy Vince Carotenuto and Kevin Lyons || Monica Sager The parade grand marshal || Cam Tracy Swampcsott Youth Soccer || Cam Tracy 
Captain Jack Sparrow || Joey Blood Flowers after the storm at UUCGL || Monica Sager The Senior Center held an event to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country || Monica Sager Dee Renaud leads the group is patriotic songs || Monica Sager A presentation at the UUCGL on universal basic income || Monica Sager 
Betsy Ross at the Swampscott Public Library || Brendan Cassidy The Strawberry Festival || Joey Blood Trucks toured the July 4 parade. || Cam Tracy Mascots were in the parade || Cam Tracy A truck in the parade || Cam Tracy Big Blue football celebrating its seniors || Cam Tracy
It’s the Fourth of July weekend!! Swampscott will host its fireworks and festivities Friday night. The live music, food trucks, breweries and fun will begin at 5 p.m. Fireworks will start at dusk.
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. In fact, in the late 1970s, the town had no Independence Day festivities at all.
“We felt good about bringing the energy,” Bob Baker 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.”
July 4 fun started earlier this week, as the parade ran from the middle school to the Town Hall Lawn, where the Strawberry Festival took place.
“It was great helping out at the Strawberry Festival with the football team. It was a fun way to give back to the community, and we’re glad we got to be a part of it,” said Will FIcken, an upcoming senior who plays on the Swampscott Big Blue football team.
A group of Swampscott children learned at the library Monday about the origins of the flag, colonial era traditions and customs as Carole Finn, impersonating Betsy Ross, taught them about the American icon.
“I think it’s very important for them to learn about history,” said Finn. “It’s a fun way for them to learn. I want them to be curious about the past.”
On Tuesday, the Swampscott Senior Center’s creative writing class celebrated the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States by sharing original works alongside readings by other authors.
And on Thursday, the town gathered for the reading of Frederick Douglass’s “What’s the Fourth of July to a Slave?”
Festivities will also continue through the weekend, as residents are invited to gather Sunday at Linscott Park for the Swampscott Garden Music Gathering, a free afternoon celebrating music, art and community.
Project Human will hold a soft opening on Monday. Swampscott resident Marco Sanchez describes Project Human as a clinical laboratory for human performance where everyone — from first-time marathon runners to people simply hoping to move around their homes more comfortably — can receive personalized guidance to achieve their goals.
It will continue to be hot this weekend, so while many may want to enjoy the beach, beware of the jellyfish and keep an eye out for the overflow pollution around King’s Beach. There are free beach wheelchairs available, though, for those who need them.
