'Something Really Special': Beverly Homecoming To Return For 58th Year

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly Homecoming President Medley Long III said that within weeks of the multi-day festival ending each year, he starts to get calls from those far and wide asking about the dates for next summer so they can make sure to shore up their plans to come back for the fireworks, LobsterFest, concerts and all the other events that make up what he calls "truly a homecoming for people who have called Beverly their home."

"I was speaking the other day to someone who now lives in Florida and comes back every year," Long told Patch. "She told me that this is her 30th year in Florida and she's never missed a homecoming."

Celebrating its 58th year this year, the Beverly Homecoming will run from Aug. 1 through Aug. 6 at Lynch Park and several other locations throughout the city. Long said what was once a 10-day event was shortened to five days coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic year — when a "porch fest" was held to bring some summer enjoyment to the city in 2020 while still staying safe — and is sticking with six days this year to allow as many people back to visit as possible to go to as many of the events that they want to attend.

"The condensed schedule certainly is easier and seems to be a favorite with the locals," he said.

This year's event includes some old standards like the LobsterFest on Aug. 2 at Lynch Park and the fireworks to close the event on Aug. 6 set off from Mackerel Cove. There will also be newer events like the Homecoming Concert and Beer Carnival with Coastal Mass Brewing at The Hastings House on Aug. 4 and the Lip Sync Extravaganza on Aug. 1 at Lynch Park, which is officially part of Beverly Homecoming for the first time this year.

The Pickleball Shootout is also back from last year by popular demand at Obear Park on Aug. 4 and the Cardboard Boat Race returns to Lynch Beach at 3 p.m. on Aug. 6.

"Homecoming is my favorite time of the year," Long said. "Every year at the LobsterFest I go up in the golf cart to the top of the hill and it's so nice to see the hundreds or thousands of people who set up for the day and are having lobster with their families.

"Just seeing everyone come together, there is something really special about that. Not all communities have a homecoming that can bring everyone back and everyone together like that."

The Lip Sync Extravaganza at Lynch Park and Karaoke Night on the Lawn at the Beverly Farms library highlight the first day of events on Aug. 1.

On Aug. 2, the LobsterFest is from noon to 8 p.m. with a beer garden from East Regiment Beer Company out of Salem, a concert with music all day and The Bordellos playing from 6 to 8 p.m. and a kids costume party and parade at 2 p.m.

"Another one of my favorite things at the lobster festival is the kids' spirit costume contest," Long said. "It is fun to see the kids come dressed as lobsters or whatever they might come up with."

On Aug. 3, there is the Senior Day at the Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with advanced ticket sales through the Beverly Senior Center and the Beverly Yankee 5K Road Race at 6:30 p.m. at Lynch Park.

On Aug. 4, a children's carnival runs at Lynch Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a more adult-themed carnival and concert at The Hastings House from 6 to 10 p.m. with the Coastal Mass beer garden, food trucks, champagne bar, music and games.

Friday will also be the day of the annual Ice Cream Social at Bicycle Safety Rodeo at Lynch Park.

On Aug. 5, there will be an open house at Gentile Brewing Company, a bocce tournament at Waring School, a homecoming concert with Tilt-a-Whirl and a family movie fun night showing "West Side Story."

The event concludes on Aug. 6 with an alumni breakfast at Danversport, a "Polar Plunge for Wimps" in the relatively warm ocean water, the Cardboard Boat Race, live music throughout the day and the fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

"There is definitely a little bit for everyone to enjoy," Long said.

Most of the events are free and where there is a charge proceeds go toward the extensive fireworks show, which last year had to be rescheduled because of weather.

A full list of times and events can be found here.

(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.)