(Hyannis, MA – June 26, 2024) The Town of Barnstable, in coordination with the Hyannis Main Street Business Improvement District (BID), Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Greater Hyannis Chamber of Commerce and other collaborative partners present A Walkable Downtown Fourth of July, full of family fun from 3:00-9:00 PM. All activities are free with on-site public parking available, so all can stroll and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday, Hyannis-style!
LIVE MUSIC ON THE VILLAGE GREEN BANDSTAND: 3:00-7:30 PM
BRING YOUR OWN CHAIRS & BLANKETS
3:00 PM The Cape Cod Ukulele Club has become a featured group of the Hyannis 4th of July festivities. A volunteer-led organization that welcomes both beginners and well-established players, bringing joy to all those who are part of the group as well as those who watch them. A whole lot of strumming and singing for all ages! Cape Cod resident Cathy Hatch’s Ukulele group plays bluegrass, pop and more, with the occasional kazoo too! https://www.facebook.com/p/I-Like-Ukuleles-Cape-Cod-Ukulele-Club-100047938974999/
5:00 PM The Cape Cod Moonlighters Americana Band brings their classic Americana Pop with a toe tapping, danceable repertoire that the whole family will get into! Made up of many members that play weekly in Barnstable’s Town Band, this is a return special performance with a new twist for the holiday! http://capecodmoonlighters.com/
6:30 PM West African Community Drumming Instructor: Sam Holmstock, co-founder of world fusion ensemble ENTRAIN, will showcase elements of the West African Rhythm beat. https://artsbarnstable.com/artist/sam-holmstock/
TAKE A TOUR OF THE HyARTS CAMPUS AND BE PART OF THE PEOPLE’S PROCESSION
Move and dance outside at the JFK Hyannis Museum Courtyard with a multicultural dance showcase featuring local movement instructors and professionals as they perform Flamenco, Greek, Egyptian, Fire Dances and more from 4:00-6:00 PM.
Check out the instruments and toys provided by the Cape Cod Toy Library’s Outdoor Play Oasis at the Hyannis Public Library. All are welcome to visit, learn, and play! The Community Art Wall, just outside the Library entrance, is Cape Cod’s first legal street art wall, one of four in Massachusetts. The wall provides a medium for and amplifies the voices of artists that are not typically included in the public arts sphere on Cape Cod. It provides a living exhibition space that can be built upon by professional and amateur artists alike. Local artist C.R. Florence will be at the Art Wall inviting participants to create works of art responding to the question, “What does liberty and justice for all mean to you?
Be sure to visit the Cultural Center of Cape Cod’s HyArts Guyer Barn Programming Annex to make a mask to wear during the People’s Procession which will start at the JFK Hyannis Museum Courtyard at 6:00 PM.
MINUTEMEN ON THE VILLAGE GREEN: 4:30-7:00 PM
The Yarmouth Minutemen will set the scene on the Hyannis Village Green showcasing what colonial life might have been like as they interact with and teach curious visitors about the culture and styles of the time. Get set for a musket volley and learn what the role of each member of a community represented as our Nation was in its earliest stages of development.
HYANNIS HARBOR BOAT PARADE SPECTATOR VIEWING FROM BISMORE PARK, OCEAN STREET: 5:00 PM
Bring the whole family to see the popular Hyannis Harbor Boat Parade, organized by the Cape Cod Maritime Museum, with the Hyannis Marina and Hyannis Yacht Club. Anyone can join in by registering your watercraft in advance or show up at the Harbor to watch at 4:00 PM. See the Hyannis Fire Boat, fishing vessels, and ferries all decked out for the festivities. While you wait for the fun to begin, check out the array of offerings by local artisans at the Artist Shanties or grab a bite to eat at one of the Harbor’s restaurants.
HYANNIS MAIN STREET: LIVE MUSIC, SPORTS CHALLENGES AND DJs FROM 5:00-7:30 PM
In the early evening stroll along Main Street from Ocean to Sea! As you walk along, live musical performers and DJs will keep the mood upbeat and festive. Sports challenges, magicians and street performers blend to create an Americana experience that is sure to make memories for all who attend.
Local musical acts include: Bart Weisman at the Federated Church of Hyannis; DJ Ian Lee will pump up the beat outside SoHo Arts at the corner of Main and Ocean; and the Brian Lamont Trio plays memorable hits outside Mrs. Mitchell’s across from the Village Green. Look for the Magic Mirror Selfie Station at the entrance to the Village Green and pose for a keepsake memory instantly delivered right to your phone.
Further down on the street, at Palio Pizzeria, the Cape Cod Jazz Band featuring Alan Clinger will keep things lively. Just a few steps away you can take up a fun challenge with Barnstable High School athletes who want to see your best throw in basketball and football. JT’s Chronicles commands the corner at High School Road with positive vibes and an upbeat rhythm. Cape Cod’s Own, Robert Clarke, magician juggler entertains the crowd with his amazing juggling skills and artistic style at 529 Main at the corner of Pine Street. The Fred Clayton Blues Band plays the Smith Family Beer Garden. Outside of Katie’s Ice Cream Ravi Melo mixes it up with his undeniable sound. Bongogenesis will get things started on the west end of Main Street near the Tumi Alley at 592 Main. Singer Larry Goodrich, half of the popular local Country duo Larry & Vic, will appear in a special solo performance outside Country Soul at 605 Main.
Be sure to stop in at the Harbor Overlook to take in the breeze or shop for some local originals at the Artist Shanties and buy a treat from the Snack Shack while you enjoy the Pans in Paradise steel drum band before settling into another chance to see Cape Cod’s own Joy4July Free Concert by Cape Symphony at Aselton Park.
THE CAPE SYMPHONY and TOWN OF BARNSTABLE “Joy4July” CELEBRATION AT MICHAEL K. ASELTON MEMORIAL PARK (Rain Date: July 5, 2024)
A very special tradition in the making, the 2024 Town of Barnstable Fourth of July Celebration will culminate with “Joy4July”, a free outdoor concert by Cape Symphony. Led by Conductor Joe Marchio and featuring special guest Matt Levesque, the performance, blending pop, Broadway, patriotic, and Americana music is free and no tickets are required. Drivers with a valid handicap placard are welcome to park in the Armory lot at 255 South Street, across from Town Hall. The Barnstable Adult Community Center will provide free shuttle service to and from the entrance at the Maritime Museum.
PARKING & TRANSPORTATION
Enjoy free parking (up to six hours) in one of several municipal lots in downtown Hyannis. For a map with locations and more information, go to https://www.townofbarnstable.us/parkingdivision/Locations/parkandwalk.pdf. Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) also has hourly and long-term parking available at the Hyannis Transportation Center for daily rates. CCRTA will be operating on its regular routes with a loop every 45 minutes throughout the day. For more information and service routes, please visit www.capecodrta.org.
SECOND SUMMER FIREWORKS
There will be no town-sponsored fireworks on July 4th due to ongoing concerns with federally protected species. Alternatively, the third annual ‘Second Summer Fireworks’ will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024 (Rain Date: September 1st) from a barge in Lewis Bay with spectator viewing and family fun at Kalmus and Veterans Park Beaches. Volunteers are needed and are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. Businesses and individuals who wish to support this annual tradition can contact Amy Harwood, Marketing & Outreach Manager, at 508-862-4638 or Amy.Harwood@town.barnstable.ma.us. More details to follow.
Be sure to tag @townofbarnstable @artsbarnstable and “smile and share” your photos on Instagram and Facebook with #hyannis4th #townofbarnstable.
