Celebrating the Fourth in Peabody in Your Neighborhood

Peabody may not have fireworks on the Fourth, but residents can still have plenty of fun to get their Independence Day started at the annual celebrations in each ward across the city.

One change this year for residents in West Peabody is that they will all be celebrating together. The festivities for both Ward 5 and Ward 6 residents will be held at Symphony Park off Catherine Drive.

Here's the schedule this year (each ward party will be held on Thursday, July 4 from 9 a.m. - noon):

• Ward 1, Raddin Park, 45 Lynnfield St. -- Horribles Parade forms at the top of Blair Terrace at 8:45 a.m. for 9 a.m. start. Parade followed by music, bounce house, games, face-painting, races, egg toss and pie-eating contest. Lunch will be served. Call Barry Osborne at 978-532-4587.
• Ward 2, Welch School, 50 Swampscott Ave. -- The July 4 celebration is scheduled rain or shine. Bicycle and doll carriage Patriot Parade starts at the end of Blaney Avenue at 9 a.m. with other events, races, arts and crafts from 9:45 a.m. - noon. Food and refreshments will be served. Volunteers are needed. Call Arthur Athas at 978-531-5010.
• Ward 3, Connolly Park, 45 Dark Ln. -- There will be a horribles parade, races and egg toss, among other activities. Hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn and drinks will be served. Call Rico Mello at 978-538-9716.
• Ward 4, Emerson Park, 34 Perkins St. -- The horribles parade of costumes, carriages, bicycles and wagons, which will be judged in categories of "Most Patriotic" and "Most Original," starts off the morning. All contestants should meet at the flagpole at 9 a.m. Next is the Independence Road Race for ages six and under and a separate race for ages seven and eight, which is followed by the Heartbreak Road Race (1.2 miles uphill). Prizes and trophies will be given to winners by age group and overall winners. Field day activities are next with races, egg toss, pie-eating contests, a sawdust pile, face-painting and arts and crafts. The "old fashioned cookout" includes hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon, drinks and make your own ice cream sundaes. Anyone interested in volunteering should report to Emerson Park at 8:30 a.m. Call Bob Driscoll at 978-531-6779.
• Ward 5 and 6, Symphony Park (off Catherine Drive) -- Activities include a doll carriage, bicycle and tricycle parade (make sure to decorate yours with a patriotic theme). Registration for the parade is at 8:30 a.m. with a start time of 9 a.m. Following the parade, there will be races, face-painting, nickels in the hay, a moon bounce and a basketball free throw contest. Lunch begins at 11:15 a.m. with pizza, cookies, soft drinks and ice cream. Bruce the Bubble Man will also be making a special appearance. Anyone interested in volunteering or donating a gift certificate or prize to a scholarship raffle should call Barry Sinewitz at 978-535-2283.