Danvers FalconFest Aims To Bring Back Bonfire, Fireworks For 2024

DANVERS, MA — Two Danvers community traditions are proposed to make their returns in 2024 with the nonprofit group Danvers FalconFest organizing the return of the annual winter bonfire and summer fireworks.

Danvers FalconFest Interim President Amy Ciancarelli told the Select Board on Tuesday night that the Christmas tree bonfire is being planned for Jan. 13 at Plains Park on Porter Street and the fireworks are being tentatively planned for the Danvers High School soccer field on Aug. 11.

Both are intended to bring the community together and introduce new generations of town residents to beloved old traditions.

"We are looking to really bring back something special," Ciancarelli said. "(The Danvers fireworks event) once was the pinnacle of the summer."

The Select Board approved the Fire Department's authority to issue the burn permit for the bonfire if it meets all BFD specifications. The fire would consist of Christmas trees picked up over the first two weeks of January and would be part of an event that includes food and music entertainment.

"Not only will we be able to dispose of our holiday trees responsibly but we'll also be able to enjoy a fun night and community spirit," Ciancarelli said.

Ciancarelli told the Select Board that about 500 people are expected to attend the bonfire and that neighborhood outreach will take place in advance of the event.

The fireworks will be a bigger endeavor with Danvers FalconFest, which raised some money for the events during its Downtown Rewind and Wiffle Bowl events this summer, seeking a target of $20,000 in donations through a GoFundMe page.

She said the rekindled fireworks are not intended to mimic the mammoth shows that took place annually in the town and "are not going to be the fireworks you can see all the way to Lynn."

She said the hope is to make the fireworks targeted to Danvers residents in order to make the event more manageable for public safety and that the fireworks themselves will not rise as high as the former show — not affecting Beverly Airport — while lasting for about 10 minutes.

The hope is to create a day around the fireworks that includes music, food and craft vendors.

Ciancarelli said community outreach will take place in advance of that event as well with a public meeting planned and a traffic plan developed.

No vote was necessary on the fireworks show with FalconFest representatives telling the Select Board that they will provide updates and seek permit approvals as necessary in the coming months.

(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.)