Yankee Homecoming is over, and the city seems to have all breathed a deep sigh. Is it a sigh of satisfaction or relief? Well, that really will depend on who you ask! Yankee Homecoming gets a lot of mixed reviews from the locals. It is a crowded week, that seems to emphasize our parking missteps… It is a week filled with loud nights, crowded sidewalks, and long waits to get eat in any of the restaurants. That said it’s a week that is generally filled with fabulous smiles and family activities abound, as this year’s theme emphasized it’s when the city can “Come Together”.
Lions Club Bed Race
Here atNewburyport-Today we happen to really love Yankee Homecoming. It is the kind of week were we feel the city shines its brightest. To us it’s a great week to really show off what makes our city so special. Sure it’s a crowded week, but it’s crowded because Newburyport is an awesome place to be! All those tourists circling the lots wish they were lucky enough to jump on their bikes or just walk down to the fun. So embrace the crowds and if you live here, remember how lucky you are!
The Lions Club sponsors the Annual Bed Race down Federal Street, and if you’ve never been it’s hysterical. This year seemed to have had more than a dozen entries, all of which really seemed to get into the spirit of the night. Fuel Training ended the race with a really wonderful romp down Federal to a Black Eyed Peas song.
The sidewalk sales as well as craft day brought tents and treats to State, Inn, and Pleasent Streets. There seemed to be some really great vendors there this year for craft day. We hope that our terrific downtown merchants did well at the annual sidewalk sales.
Photo Credit - Laurie McCormack
As previously mentioned there are a pluthera of family activities during the week. The photo above was entered into our “Word on the Street” contest. It was so great that we had to include it here too!
The Parade and the Fireworks are always the signature events of Yankee Homecoming and neither disappointed this year. If there is only one thing we could do without, it’s the constant non-stop sirens that lead off the parade. It looked as though this little girl also agreed. There was a “quiet” section in the route this year, but clearly we weren’t in it!
Yankee Homecoming Town Crier, Charlie Cullen
This year was a first for Yankee Homecoming with the addition of a Town Crier. Provident Bank President Charlie Cullen seemed to be having a ball at the parade. He was joined by several dozen more town criers, who all had bells and three cornered hats.
The Newburyport Pedicabs made a great showing. Owner Kevin Murphy took a back seat with his dog Samatha and let his nephews do the peddling. Pedicab vetren driver Paul Kelly brought up the rear with plenty of cold drinks for the crew.
The many marching bands are always a treat. Check out our Facebook Page for more videos from the parade.
MA Senator Scott Brown
Senator Scott Brown and his family marched in the parade to help boost donations to the Jimmy Fund. Brown’s father is a long time Plum Island resident.
We have not heard the final number for the Jimmy Fund collection, but we hope numbers were up. Thanks to all the groups out there collecting for this very worth while cause.
Thank you to the Yankee Homecoming volunteers and General Chairman Don Walters for putting on a great week of events.
