Beverly Homecoming Poised For Triumphant Return Next Week

BEVERLY, MA — When the Beverly Homecoming Committee finally got the go-ahead to bring back the city showcase event this spring it was definitely go-time to make sure all the planning that typically takes place over a full year could be crammed into three months.

But the crazy rush of activity will all soon be worth it for those involved starting next Wednesday when the five-day event kicks off in earnest with the traditional Lobster Festival and concludes Sunday night with fireworks over Lynch Park.

In between will be an assortment of familiar favorites from the Ice Cream Social and Cardboard Boat Race to new events like the inaugural BBQ Cookoff at Obear Park, as Beverly Homecoming returns in earnest for the first time in two years because of the coronavirus crisis.

"We are so excited to have our regular summer events back," Homecoming Committee Board of Directors President Medley Long told Patch. "I went to the (Cabot Street) block party (this past Saturday) and it was wonderful there too. It felt like 2019 again. We've been getting a lot of good, positive feedback from people.

"Everybody is just happy we are doing it again. I can't wait for it to come."

While most events were canceled last year amid the heart of the pandemic, Long said he was happy the Homecoming Committee was able to pull off a successful, socially distanced Porch Fest that he felt brought Beverly residents together best they could under the circumstances.

"I think people were thrilled with that even though our regular events were canceled," he said. "We had a great turnout. I still think about it. It was so much fun."

Yet, most likely not quite as fun as the full program, which this year has been condensed from 10 days to five even though Long said the number of events has largely stayed the same.

"It was important for us to still start with the Lobster Festival and end with the fireworks since those are the two events people think about most when they think about Homecoming," he said.

Long said the committee first began to think about a comeback in 2021 last fall but was largely left to hope and ponder the possibility until things took a turn in the positive direction with easing virus restrictions late this winter into the spring. He said it was in May when all state business restrictions were lifted that the committee went into overdrive putting things in place for next week.

"It was definitely challenging," he allowed. "We are a committee that meets year-round. All of a sudden it was: 'We have three months.'

"There are fireworks contracts that need to be signed. We have to send deposits. A lot of our food vendors need a lot of notice for things."

But it all came together in time for a jam-packed schedule that includes the Lobster Festival, Olympics at the Farms and the Homecoming Concerts on Wednesday, Senior Day at the Park and Yankee 5K Road Race on Thursday, Veterans Cookout, Ice Cream Social and Bicycle Rodeo on Friday, Kids at the Cabot concert, Gentile Brewing open house and Family Fun Day on Saturday and the Cardboard Boat Race, BBQ Cookoff and fireworks on Sunday.

The full schedule of events can be found here.

It all kicks off Wednesday with the Beverly Olympics at the Farms at 11 a.m. and the Lobster Festival starting at noon. Pricing for the Lobster Festival this year includes $20 for a lobster, $24 for a lobster roll with chips, $12 for BBQ chicken with corn, $9 for a fried fish sandwich and $6.50 for clam chowder.

"I am at the park from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Lobster Festival day," Long said. "My favorite thing is to walk around and just talk to people.

"In a normal year, you might not have talked to some people for a year. This year, it's been a couple of years. I am really looking forward to it."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)