Tradition Continues on White Horse Beach July Third

The tradition began in 1777 - bonfires on White Horse Beach July Third.

This year, Scituate banned bonfires on Humarock Beach. The Manomet tradition continues, but with restrictions.

Police will close all access to Taylor Avenue at 6pm Tuesday. They will enforce a parking ban on all side streets. The increasing rarity of the event had attracted out-of-towners to add more excitement than the neighborhood could appreciate more than a decade ago. So police from Plymouth and other towns now have a large presence at White Horse July 3.

Either arrive very early to get a spot in one of the paid lots or visit a friend who lives there. House parties will abound.

The best spots to observe the controlled mayhem?

If you know someone with a condo on the hill, at Highland Terrace, treat them very, very well. “Unofficial” fireworks displays go off not only on the beach, but on the other side of Manomet Point, across Skokes Pond from the condos. Some Highland Place owners have a double perspective on the show.

Private beach associations along the Manomet Bluffs and south host less spectacular, but guaranteed friendly, bonfires and displays. They are by invitation only.

On the beach, just about anywhere is as good as anywhere else, with the exception of the space at the south end of the beach. One association generally lights a very grand fire just before the rocks at the point.

Police will clear the beach at some point after 10pm, but may do so at any time.

Do not attempt an impromptu fire. The Plymouth Fire Department allows fires by permit only issued to homeowner associations and some other grandfathered groups. The permits cap the number and size of fires and restrict materials in them. The fire department reserves the right to revoke any or all permits.

Despite the guarantee of reading Taylor Avenue arrests in the arrest log, know the event remains primarily an old fashioned neighborhood gathering.