Going to the Fireworks at the Danvers Family Festival? There Are Big Security Changes This Year

Security will be greatly increased at this year's Danvers Family Festival in light of heightened awareness of possible threats in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing.

The festival, especially the fireworks, attracts thousands of visitors from all over the North Shore and beyond.

Danvers Selectman Gardner Trask, who is a board member for the festival, released a statement at Tuesday's selectmen meeting that outlines the changes festival-goers should expect July 3 when they head to Plains Park for the fireworks display.

"There are realities we need to deal with today and we’ve taken reasonable steps to make sure those...are addressed," he said and confirmed to reporters later that the heightened measures were a result of the Boston bombing.

He said that, really, there has been a heightened awareness and sensitivity to the possibility of terrorist attacks in public venues ever since 9/11.

Festival-goers July 3 will be faced with a fence erected around the perimeter of the park and no public access will be allowed before 4 p.m. that day.

That means no blankets, chairs or bags can be left to reserve a spot before the crowds arrive. Similarly, no one else will be allowed into the park once the lights are turned off at 9:30 p.m. for the fireworks.

Beginning at 4 p.m., there will be controlled access points to the park and everyone who comes in will be screened by law enforcement agents. No backpacks, bags, baskets or coolers will be allowed inside, except for diaper bags and purses.

Bicycles, skateboards and pets are also not allowed, except for service dogs. Any food or drinks people bring with them must be placed in clear plastic bags.

Trask said all other personal items carried in will be screened and tagged, similar to the procedure at Fenway Park, and no items will be held at the gate.

The officers providing security will direct anyone carrying items that are not allowed to return them back to their cars. Parking will also be regulated in the immediate area of the park.

Trask said the festival has decided to forgo one of its main fundraising sources the day of -- toll boths -- for the sake of increased safety and security. The stage show will also have a delayed start of 6 p.m.

Other than that, the festival will go ahead as planned. None of the 29 events, which occur between June 15 and July 5, have been canceled.

Any questions the public might have on the changes should directed to Trask at 978-821-6624 and specific safety-related questions should be directed to Police Sgt. Robert Bettencourt at 978-774-1213 ext. 134.