No Beverly Fireworks, But Festive Events On 4th Of July Weekend

BEVERLY, MA — There will be plenty of Independence Day fun in Beverly this year even if the fireworks and Horribles Parade were once again canceled.

The Beverly Farms — Prides Crossing Fourth of July Committee determined it could not run the two marquee events because of ongoing coronavirus restrictions this spring. By the time capacity limits were lifted on May 29, it was too late to plan an event and secure necessary resources.

"We are a 100 percent volunteer organization and 100 percent financially supported by the generosity of our community," the committee explained, "and we want to ensure we use the available funds in the best way possible so that everyone can enjoy our tradition."

There is every intention to return both celebrated events to the city in 2022.

Yet, the committee will host a couple of events that weekend in 2021 with a house decorating contest on July 2 and a family picnic at the park on July 3.

A $500 cash prize will go to the winner of the house decorating contest. Decorating should be done by noon on July 2 so that the committee can publish a map of participating houses for people to view them all weekend.

More details on the contest can be found here.

The Family Picnic at Dix Park will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on July 3.

There are scheduled to be kids games, water balloons, caricature artists, two food trucks and a DJ.

Families are invited to bring blankets and chairs. Tents will be provided for shade.

The event is rain or shine.

Updates on both events can be found here.

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