Each of the six wards across Peabody celebrated Independence Day with their own unique traditions and activities.
Ward 2 celebrated Independence Day at the Welch School starting at 9 a.m.
More than 400 people attended the event, Ward 2 Councilor Peter McGinn said.
“The weather was perfect and, thanks to our volunteers, all the activities went very smoothly,” he said.
The day started with the National Anthem sung by Peabody’s own Dana Sheridan and DJ Sean Doherty provided music for the rest of the day.
“There were smiles all morning as children participated in the patriotic parade and competed in the various field games,” McGinn said.
The celebration included “something for everyone” — a balloon artist, face painting, pony rides, a missing tent, a selfie booth, and a visit from the Peabody Police DARE car and McGruff the Crime Dog,” he said.
Children were able to have a real hands-on experience with a firehouse provided by the crew of Engine 1, McGinn said.
Attendees of all ages had a chance to win prizes in the free raffle, including bowling gift certificates donated by Metro Bowl and a new bicycle, he said.
McGinn thanked the Ward 2 restaurants who donated gift cards for the adult raffle prizes, which included Brothers Restaurant & Deli, Champions Pub, Gallo Nero, Land & Sea, Maki Sushi, One Main Restaurant and Lounge, Petrillo’s, and Sugar Cane.
He also thanked Brothers Restaurant & Deli, Bertolino Foods, Treadwell’s Ice Cream, D’Orsi’s Bakery, and Stop & Shop, all of whom donated food for the celebration’s cookout.
“These July 4th ward gatherings are a delightful tradition in Peabody,” McGinn said. “I couldn’t have been more pleased to see so many people coming together and enjoying themselves at the 2024 Ward 2 Independence Day Celebration.”
Ward 3 celebrated Independence Day at Connelly Park starting at 9:30 a.m.
More than 300 residents attended the event, Ward 3 Councilor Stephanie Peach said.
Residents enjoyed hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, and Treadwell’s ice cream. There was a Sweet Cheeks Face Painting and an arts and crafts station for the kids, she said.
Attendees of all ages competed in events and the top three winners of each event were awards prizes, Peach said.
The day ended with a free raffle, which all attendees entered, featuring gift cards to local businesses, she said.
Peach thanked the event sponsor, which included The City of Peabody — Peabody Fire Engine 4, Peabody Police, Parks and Rec, DPS, PMLP, and the Mayor’s office — Luso American Credit Union, Evans Flowers, The 99 Restaurant in Danvers, Treadwell’s, The Roadhouse Pub, The Century House, Peabody Portuguese American Organizations (PPAO), and several residents of Ward 3.
“It was a beautiful morning filled with family fun,” she said.
Ward 4 celebrated Independence Day at Emerson Park starting at 9:30 a.m.
More than 350 residents attended the event, Ward 4 Councilor Julie Daigle said.
She said the attendees ate through 200 burgers and 200 hot dogs.
The highlights of the event included a ladder truck which extended across the park, face painting lines, and a six-foot tall beach volleyball, Daigle said.
Bertolino Foods of Peabody donated all of the burgers to the wards across Peabody for their celebrations, Daigle said.
She said the Ward 4 volunteers donated the extra food from the celebration to fire stations across the City.
The Ward Fourth of July celebrations are an “important tradition” to the City of Peabody, Daigle said.
