Natick's Alternative July 4 Festivities Begin Thursday

NATICK, MA — This year's July 4 festivities in Natick will be slightly different compared to previous years.

In February, Natick's Friends of the 4th group said the usual Independence Day parade would be called off again in 2021 due to the pandemic. But in early June, the group announced a slate of alternate activities that will take place across the town over the first week in July.

On July 1, residents will be invited to decorate their homes for the holiday. The owners of the top four best-decorated homes will get gift certificates to local restaurants. Also on July 1, a town-wide scavenger hunt will begin, taking residents on a tour of local landmarks.

Instructions for both events will be available Natick 4th website beginning July 1.

"While consequences from COVID-19 made it not possible to hold our traditional parade this
year, we are excited to provide these two very fun and relevant programs to all those in Natick
and beyond that want to celebrate the 4th of July," President of Friends of the 4th Peg Waters sad in a news release. "The scavenger hunt will take participants through Natick history and culture, and the house decorating contest will allow all participants to show what the 4th of July means to them."

The 2021 July 4 grand marshal will be Director of Public Health Jim White, who has spent the last 16 months shepherding the town through the pandemic. With warm weather and vaccines now easily available, White encouraged residents to participate in this year's festivities.

"In this time when we find it more important than ever for the community to come together, I am proud of the Friends of the 4th for 'thinking outside of the box' and coming up with this program to help our community come together and celebrate what unites us," he said. "I personally will be participating and encourage all to do the same."

The 2021 July 4 events in Natick are being sponsored by MathWorks.