Salem 4th Of July Harbor Celebration Returns For 2022

SALEM, MA — Salem will "Celebrate the Fourth" in traditional fashion with all the fanfare this July for the first time in three years.

The Fourth of July event was canceled at the onset of the COVID-19 health crisis in 2020 and last year could not be held on short notice because statewide coronavirus gathering and business restrictions were not fully lifted until May 29.

But the city's plan is to bring back this year the event that entertains about 15,000 residents and guests at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. This year's night of free music, fireworks and celebration is scheduled for July 2.

The steel drum band "Dis N Dat" will precede Hillyer Festival Orchestra on the stage with pre-concert events beginning at 5 p.m. and the fireworks launched from Derby Wharf while the orchestra plays "The 1812 Overture" at 9:15.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket and beach chairs with seating on Derby and Central Wharves first come, first served.

The reggae and steel drum band will begin at 5 with food tents open selling hot dogs, French fries, fried dough, kettle corn and other fair favorites. Salem Gnu Kitchen, School Street Foods, Theara's Spicy Kitchen and The Crispy Chicken Cup will have food trucks or booths as well.

The opening ceremonies at 7:15 will include a tribute to those lost during the COVID-19 crisis and a recognition of the first responders, medical professionals and frontline workers who reported to duty during the early months of the pandemic.

The Hillyer Festival Orchestra will begin at 7:30.

The tall ship Friendship will also be visible in the Harbor.

"Independence Day in Salem is truly special, as attendees are surrounded by the very history that helped America to become an independent nation," officials said.

(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.)