Homecoming Week Celebrates the City

For 50 years, the annual Beverly Homecoming Week has been an event that has drawn neighbors and residents together to celebrate all the city has to offer.

This year’s Homecoming runs through August 9, with a host of new events to go alongside traditional favorites like the Lobster Festival and the concluding concert and fireworks.

“This is the fiftieth year, so it’s a big year,” said Medley Long III, member of Beverly Homecoming’s Board of Directors.

Although Beverly is celebrating 50 years of Homecoming this year, the events roots actually stretch back to the early twentieth century.

“It originally started in 1902 and it was called Old Home Week,” said Long. Beverly welcomed back war veterans and honored those who were leaving to join the service.

But over the years, Old Home Week dwindled and faded before it was revived in the 1960s as Homecoming Week.

The week has become a cherished tradition for current and former Beverly residents.

“I left the state for six years, and when I came back, I was excited for Homecoming,” said Long. “It’s a way to see friends and neighbors, and come together to celebrate the city we line in. That’s why I’m a part of it.”

This year’s Homecoming features a number of new events, the biggest of which is the BevFit Fest on Dane Street Beach on Sunday, August 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Of the traditional favorites, Long said the crowds always line up for the Lobster Festival, which takes place on Wednesday, August August 5 from noon to 8 p.m. at Lynch Park.

A full calendar of events is available on the Beverly Homecoming website.