People here and across the country are sharply divided on the state of the nation this summer, but there was consensus in Plymouth on Independence Day: The weather made for a classic Fourth of July holiday, with temperatures topping off around 80 degrees and the humidity low.
The ideal conditions seemed to make for a busier than usual Fourth in the downtown area, along the waterfront, and on beaches from Nelson Park to White Horse. Meantime, the aroma of food cooking on grills wafted from backyard parties, bagged ice for coolers was a hot commodity, and flag-themed clothing was all the rage.
There certainly was plenty to do, from an early morning cannon-firing ceremony and reading of the Declaration of Independence by members of the Old Colony Club on Cole’s Hill to the annual 5k road race ending at Plymouth Rock to the parade to an evening performance by the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, followed by fireworks spread out over the harbor.
Of course, there were the usual complaints about the parade’s sluggish pace, the post-fireworks traffic, and alcohol-soaked revelers setting off explosions in residential neighborhoods after midnight. But that’s what All Things Plymouth is for, right?
Photographer Jim Curran – who probably spends all year training for the marathon that is July Fourth – captured these scenes from around town.
