Beverly Homecoming Draws Big Crowds Despite Record Heat, Fierce Storms

BEVERLY, MA — Temperatures taunting 100 degrees and fierce storms that moved through the North Shore at the end of the week were not enough to keep the crowds away from Beverly Homecoming.

While some events had to be postponed or altered because of the heat and threat of storms, the Beverly Homecoming Committee told Patch that sales for LobsterFest more than doubled 2019 levels as residents returned to the festival amid waning COVID-19 concerns.

And all the Homecoming fun is not over yet.

The fireworks, which were postponed on Sunday night after attendees were advised to shelter in vehicles and structures until the storm passed while the coastal gale ripped the tarp covers off the fireworks on the ocean barge, are rescheduled for Sunday night at 8:30 at Lynch Park.

Weekend forecasts are calling for warm, clear and very dry conditions with virtually no chance of storms this Sunday night.

"We know that Beverly residents of all ages look forward to the annual Homecoming Fireworks Display and we are happy to report that, in the wake of the storm, the show will go on," Beverly Homecoming President Medley Long III told Patch. "It has been wonderful to see so many people coming together across a wide array of Homecoming events this past week, and now we'll have one more opportunity to do so."

The Veterans Friends and Family Cookout also had to be postponed. That has been rescheduled as well with the new date on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza on Ellis Street.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, soda and ice cream will be available. Those attending are invited to bring games, blankets and chairs.

Beverly Homecoming is a volunteer-run festival funded by donations as well as sponsorships.

This year's major Homecoming donors were CM&B, Garden City Pediatric Associates, North Shore Bank, and the Salem Five Bank Charitable Foundation.

A full listing of sponsors can be found here.

The Beverly Homecoming Committee is already looking forward to next year's event. Those interested in volunteering can secure their spot by emailing beverlyhomecoming@gmail.com.

(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.)